Summary of Going Places
Going Places by A.R. Barton is a short story about adolescent daydreaming and fantasising. It outlines the story of Sophie, a teenage girl with a wild imagination and unrealistic expectations in life. She finds a confidant in her brother Geoff and tells him about her meeting with a famous football player named Danny Casey. Geoff does not believe her, nor does her father. She gives more appealingly realistic descriptions of Danny while talking to her brother hoping to gain his trust. Her fantasy peaks when she tells Geoff that Danny has asked her on a date. Since Geoff does not believe her, she decides to prove everyone wrong. She goes to meet Danny only to realise later that she has unreal expectations. Students can read the summary of Going Places below to understand the chapter in detail. They can also visit CBSE Summary to understand other chapters related to CBSE Class 12 English syllabus. CBSE Notes can help students with extra information and study materials required for passing Class 12 CBSE English Board exams.
CBSE Class 12 English Going Places Summary
The story begins with a scene of Sophie and her friend Jansie talking to each other while returning from school. Sophie is telling Jansie about her plans to open a boutique after she completes her schooling. She wants to become a famous fashion designer like Mary Quant. Jansie, who is more practical, is aware that they are supposed to join the biscuit factory after their studies. She reminds Sophie that a boutique would require a lot of money. She also explains to Sophie that the latter’s plan to save money by working at a shop is not feasible as it does not pay well, and Sophie’s dad wants his daughter to work in a shop. Sophie considers being an actress also – it pays more money.
Everyone in the family seems to know about Sophie’s temperament. Back at home, her younger brother, Derek mocks her unrealistic dreams of earning big money. The story talks about her looking at her mother’s crooked back, indicating a glimpse of the compassion and pain felt by Sophie at her family’s poverty-struck conditions. Her brother Geoff is an apprentice mechanic and travels to the far side of the city every day for his work. He does not speak much, and she feels jealous of his silence. She suspects Geoff to be well-informed about places she does not know about. Sophie reveals to Geoff that she met Danny Casey in the arcade. Since Geoff does not believe her, she uses an animated description of Danny to make her encounter sound realistic.
Geoff passes on this news about Danny Casey to his father at the dinner table. Their father looks at Sophie disdainfully. He knows Sophie is just up to one of her tricks of making up stories. There is no way she would meet a famous football player like Danny Casey. Her father and Geoff start talking about football. Sophie interjects the conversation, saying Danny told her he would buy a shop. Her father warns her that she might get into serious trouble if she continues telling people false stories.
Next, Sophie makes her brother promise not to tell anyone that Danny Casey has asked to meet her. Her brother finds it unbelievable. To make it more realistic, Sophie narrates how she met Danny and asked him for his autograph for Derek. But neither of them had a pen and paper. So, Danny asked Sophie if she would like to meet him the following week for the autograph. Geoff does not believe that the football player would show up.
Sophie goes with her father and her brothers to watch a football match that Danny is playing. Danny’s team wins, and Sophie feels proud. She meets Jansie the following week and is surprised to hear Jansie ask her about the meeting with Danny. Geoff had told this news to Jansie’s brother Frank. Sophie did not expect her brother to spill out her secrets like this. As she talks to Jansie about this secret meeting, Sophie learns that Geoff had not told Frank about the second meeting that was going to take place between Sophie and Danny.
Sophie goes to meet Danny at a spot by the canal. She used to play there during her childhood. She considers it a perfect place to meet someone without drawing attention. While she waits for Danny, she imagines how the meeting will be. Danny would appear from the shadows, and her reaction would be that of excitement. After a while, she realises that Danny will not come. Sophie goes into a state of worry and despair – she would not be able to prove to Geoff or the others that she is telling the truth about Danny. As she walks back home, Sophie imagines how Geoff would be disappointed to know that Danny had not come. She is glad to see her father’s cycle outside the pub – she would not have to face her father.
On the way, she imagines Danny outside the Royce’s. She visualises herself talking to Danny and asking for his autograph. Sophie imagines Danny to be of the same height as hers. She gives vivid descriptions of Danny’s appearance according to her fantasies. Sophie pictures him acting coy and awkward with genuine innocence. She sees the prodigy again the following Saturday – displaying his excellent sportsmanship at the game.
Conclusion of Going Places
This chapter is a prelude to the state of mind during adolescence. A. R. Barton’s adolescent character Sophie is highly optimistic, and daydreams to the point that she lives in a world that is make-believe. The beginning of the chapter shows Sophie’s desire to open a boutique after school. Jansie, her friend, tries to explain the reality of their economic situation. Belonging to a lower-middle-class family, they would face financial constraints, if they thought of pursuing a business like owning a boutique. Sophie’s unreasonable expectations manifest into a tragic state when she realises that her idol, Danny Casey, who had plans to meet her, is only a daydream.
A detailed understanding of the chapter can help students critically analyse and appreciate it. Students can refer to our website for further information and content related to the Class 12 English subject for better understanding and preparation for CBSE board exams. They can also access topics like grammar and writing in English.
