Senior Inter: Prose : 3. To Sir, With Love

QUESTION AND ANSWERS

1.Describe briefly the scene between the speaker and the listeners in the story ‘To Sir, with Love’. 

A:-‘To Sir, with Love’ is a heart warming story about the experiences of a teacher with his students. The speaker is a teacher who is new to the school. He is shocked to see that the students are ill-bred, unruly and indifferent. He wishes to bring about a change in them but is not sure what he should do. On the second day he addresses the class before he starts the lesson. He says that he is going to treat them like adults. He reminds them that they are students of the top class. They should be role models for the lower classes. They will soon go out into the world and take up jobs. They should treat each other with courtesy. Their conduct and deportment should be good. The students are puzzled. No one has talked to them like this. But they listen with interest. ‘ 

2. ‘You will be treated not as children, but as young men and women, by me and by each other. ’ Why does the speaker say this? Who is being addressed? .

A:- The speaker is a teacher who is new to the school. He is shocked to see that the students are ill-bred, unruly and indifferent. He wishes to bring about a change in them but is not sure what he should do. On the second day he addresses the class before he starts the lesson. He says that he is going to treat them like adults and not like children. They will soon go out into the world and take up jobs. They should treat each other with courtesy. Moreover, they are students of the top class. They should be role models for the lower classes. The students are puzzled. But they are receptive and listen with interest.

ANNOTATIONS

1.‘I am your teacher, and I think it right and proper that I should let you know something of my plans for this class.’ ‘ 

Reference: This sentence is taken from the story ‘To Sir, with Love’ written by E. R. Braithwaite. The story is an extract from his autobiographical novel. 

Context: The speaker is a teacher who is new to the school. He is shocked to see that the students are ill-bred, unruly and indifferent. He decides that he will try to bring about a change in them.

Explanation: The new teacher addresses the students on the second day. He says that as the class teacher he has made some plans. He wishes to share, his thoughts with them. He goes on to talk about the importance of  good behaviour and manners. The students are taken aback. No-one has treated them like adults till now. They are puzzled but receptive. 

General Relevance: The teacher plays an important role in moulding the behaviour and character of students.

2.Then to my surprise, and I must confess, my relief she opened it as quietly, and With a grace and dignity that would have befitted a queen, she walked to her seat. 

Reference: This sentence is taken from the story ‘To Sir, with Love’ written by E.R.Braithwaite. The story is an extract from his autobiographical novel. 

Context: The speaker is a teacher who is new to the school. He is shocked to see that . the students are ill-bred, unruly and indifferent. He tries to bring about a change in them.  

Explanation: The teacher is talking about the importance of good conduct. Suddenly the door is flung open. A girl, Pamela Dare, strides into the room in a clumsy manner and sits down. The teacher asks her to go out and enter in a dignified manner. He is not sure the girl will oblige. She looks angry and humiliated. But to his surprise Pamela . goes out.. She enters the room this time with the grace and dignity of a queen. The teacher is relieved that the girl had obeyed his instructions and did not defy him.

General Relevance: The teacher plays an important role in moulding the behaviour and character of students.