# XI: On Strike explained — A Popular Schoolgirl

> Chapter companion for A Popular Schoolgirl by Angela Brazil.

## What happens

A general spirit of dissatisfaction spreads through the school, starting with a quarrel between Ingred and Beatrice Jackson. When a hockey match reporter is chosen, Bess is selected over Ingred, deepening Ingred's resentment. Later, Ingred is caught playing with mascots during a lesson and harshly punished by Miss Strong, losing five order marks and a conduct cross. Her bitterness contributes to a junior rebellion, with the prefects struggling to restore order.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Status

Ingred's humiliation is tied to her family's loss of wealth and car, while Bess's car offers her social advantage and popularity.

### Friendship and Rivalry

The rivalry between Ingred and Beatrice, and Ingred's rejection of Bess's friendship, highlight tensions in school relationships.

### Community and Belonging

The spread of grumbling and the junior strike show how individual discontent can disrupt the school community.

## Character check-ins

### Ingred Saxon

Feels humiliated and resentful after being passed over for reporter and harshly punished by Miss Strong; her bitterness fuels the school's discontent.

### Bess Haselford

Chosen as reporter for the hockey match due to her offer of car rides; tries to befriend Ingred but is rebuffed.

### Beatrice Jackson

Quarrels with Ingred and deliberately draws Miss Strong's attention to Ingred's mascots, leading to Ingred's punishment.

### Miss Strong

Punishes Ingred severely for playing with mascots, asserting discipline in the face of perceived cheek.

### Lispeth Scott

As a prefect, advises Althea Riley and pins up a notice to address the junior rebellion.

### Althea Riley

Prefect who struggles to control the juniors during a walk to the studio and seeks advice from fellow prefects.

## Key lines

> There is no epidemic more catching than grumbling, however, and the complaint spread rapidly.

Grumbling spreads like a contagious disease, quickly infecting the whole school.

_Highlights the theme of community and belonging as discontent spreads._

> Ingred turned away with a red-hot spot raging under her blouse.

Ingred felt a burning anger inside her as she turned away.

_Shows Ingred's intense emotional reaction to being overlooked._

> She could not understand why her kindly-meant advances should always be so systematically repulsed.

Bess was puzzled that her friendly gestures were consistently rejected.

_Illustrates the strained friendship between Ingred and Bess._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_popular_schoolgirl_se/chapters/xi-on-strike
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_popular_schoolgirl_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_popular_schoolgirl_se/chapters