Question

Which courtesies did Braithwaite ask his class to observe and how did the students react to these 'new rules'? Describe the incident that brought about a change in Denham's hostile attitude towards Braithwaite.

Answer 1

One important change that Braithwaite brought was that he started treating his students not as children but as young men and women and told them so. He told his class that he wants them to address him as 'Mr. Braithwaite' or 'Sir'. The young ladies should be addressed as 'Miss' and the young men would be addressed by their surnames.

When Pamela Dare rushed into the class late, Braithwaite said that the right way to enter a class is in a 'controlled and dignified manner'. Pamela did as she was told: she went out of the room and came back with grace and dignity. Braithwaite also declared that the young ladies must show that they are worthy of the courtesies that the young men will show them. He told the boys to be cleaner and tidier. There is nothing weak or unmanly about clean hands and faces and brushed shoes. He explained that a man who is strong and tough never needs to show it in his dress or the way he cuts his hair and that being the top class of the school, they must set forward an example for the rest of the school to follow.

The students expressed their views regarding these changes in the Weekly Review. While some boys thought that addressing the girls as 'miss' was silly, some girls thought that asking Mrs. Dale-Evans to talk to them about washing themselves and their clothes were unnecessary. However, in spite of these negative comments, they were pleased to be treated as grownups.

The boxing incident brought about a change in Denham's hostile behavior. During the P.T period, Denham requested Braithwaite to have boxing first. When only Denham remained unpaired, he asked Braithwaite to have about with him. When Braithwaite refused, he saw disappointment and disgust on the faces of the students. He, therefore, agreed to the bout and faced Denham. At first, he dodged Denham's moves but then Denham hit him in the face and Braithwaite got angry. He hit back at Denham. Denham doubled up and sank to the floor. Braithwaite hurried to Denham and helped him. After this incident, Denham's attitude changed.