Question

What do you gather about Crocker-Harris from the play?

Answer 1

Crocker-Harris is a teacher who would not compromise on the rules and regulations to suffice the sentiments of students. He is strict with students when it comes to studies and so calls Taplow for extra work even on the last day of the school.

He is a teacher that a student could never disobey. It seems that the students respect him out of fear. He does not showcase his feeling in front of his students. He is “shrivelled up inside like a nut and seems to hate people to like him”. He is different from young teachers and is grounded to his ideals. This is evident in his reply to Taplow, “My dear Taplow, I have given you what you deserve. No less; and certainly no more.” His jokes are classical and elite but poor for students as not a single student is able to comprehend them. Other teachers like Frank envied him for the effect he had on the students as all seemed too scared of him.