To Sir, with Love Summary
To Sir, with Love is a novel by E.R. Braithwaite that recounts Braithwaite's personal experiences as a teacher in London, where his unorthodox teaching methods won him the affections of his students.
Braithwaite struggles to find steady work after World War II. Eventually, he gets a job as a teacher in London.
Braithwaite's students are semi-literate and largely uninterested in learning. They don't respect Braithwaite, and he struggles to teach them using the official curricula of the school.
- Finally, Braithwaite decides to switch tactics and engage his student's interests directly. He finally gets through to his students, and they come to love him.
Brainstorming Activities
CHARACTER
(A1) (i) Which one among the following is a teacher in the extract? Select the correct one. Also cite a couple of lines from the extract in support of your answer.
(a) Denham (c) Sapiano
(b) Miss Joseph (d) Dale- Evans
Ans:d) Dale- Evans
The lines from the extract to support the answer are :-
Mr. Weston, Mrs. Dale-Evans, Miss. Philips, Denham, and Miss. Joseph led the others off the stage and the teachers took their seats.
(ii) Complete the table highlighting the various traits of the major characters in the extract.
1. Denham:
- Blunt
- Critical
- Confident
- Courteous
- Argumentative
- Boxer
2. Miss Phillips:
- Honest
- Smart
- Cool
- Responsible
- Witful
- Supportive
3. Fernman:
- Dramatic
- Clear
- Precise
- Clever
4. Potter:
- Knowledgeable
- Clear
- Concise
- Clever
- Smart
- Precise
(iii) The narrator played a crucial role in bringing a significant change in the students. Explain the statement by citing some references from the extract.
Answer:
The narrator belonged to black race and joined a school of London where maximum people were belonged to the white race. The discrimination between white and black race was first experienced by the narrator. He had very difficult time with the students in the beginning. The students were rejected from another school and admitted this school. They were disrespectful, ill mannered and mischievous. They considered the teacher arrogant outsider, unfamiliar with the social environment where they have grown up. They harassed the narrator by slamming the benches, speaking in foul language or not obeying him. But the narrator tolerated all the things, without thinking seriously he used to neglect and forgive them. Instead he used the respectful words 'miss' for the girls and 'sir'. Even he completely changed their hygiene and their attitude towards each other. Thus he handled the students in a very amicable way. There was a big change in the students behaviour. This is proved on the day of the half- yearly report of students council. They presented their reports confidently and clearly. They were cool and efficient in their work. They were respectful to the teachers and accepted the verdict of the teachers. This shows the significant and crucial change brought about by the narrator in his students.
(iv) Fernman brought a comic relief in the Students’ Council programme. Explain
Answer:
Ferman presented physiology.When this arrangement had been set up there was the skeleton hanging from a hook screwed into the top of its skull, gently revolving at the end of a cord. This was somewhat in the nature of comic relief, and the school showed its approval by laughing uproariously.
(v) Give a brief character-sketch of –
(a) Denham:
Denham was one of the most senior students of the school. He was important official of the program of students council. He was like business-like and confident allocating the tasks. He addressed the girls as 'miss'. He was a trained boxer. He didn't want P.T. exercises ,he feels unnecessary for him. He presented different views regarding P.T. and games. He had critical and argumentative views initially but when Miss Phillips gently replied to his arguments, he accepted politely his defeat.
(b) Miss Joseph:
Miss Joseph also was important official of the program students council. She was one of the most senior students. She was like business-like and confident allocating the tasks and fitting in the programme.She sat on the stage beside Mr. Florian with composure. She addressed the audience with confidence.
(c) The Narrator:
The narrator Braithwaite, was Guyanese- born- British-American novelist, writer, teacher and diplomat, best known for his stories of social conditions and racial discrimination against black race. After serving in Army he faced discrimination against black race. He got a job of teacher in a school. He faced difficult time in the school initially. The students of the school were disrespectful, ill mannered and mischievous. They harassed him. But with his innovative techniques and understanding power ,ultimately he won the heart of his students. He didn't lose his patience, though he was harassed mentally and physically tortured many times. His technique of novel ideas and understanding power helped him to bring significant changes in his students' lives. On the day of the Students council ,half yearly report, he was anxious to see them but observed confidence, cool, respectful behavior of his students.
(d) Miss Dare:
Miss. Dare was a student's representative who presented the subject physiology with Fernman. She spoke about the problems of all humanity ,they face in terms of sickness and disease,and the advantages gained by interchange of knowledge, advice and assistance. Her contribution was something of an anticlimax after Fernman's performance. She seemed to realize it,but continued with her speech.
(e) Miss Phillips:
Miss. Phillips was one of the teachers from the teachers panel selected for answering the questions while students council. She intervened skillfully when other teachers were at loss without embarrassing them. She spoke coolly, honestly and with authority. She controlled her class very well. According to her the whole time table in the school is meant to help all the students in the world after they leave the school. She explained the importance of the P.T.
(vi) Compare the following characters: