# IV: The Fall of the Idol explained — Just William > Chapter companion for Just William by Richmal Crompton. ## What happens William develops a crush on his teacher Miss Drew, leading him to steal hothouse flowers from his own garden to impress her, then later break into a stranger's house to steal syringa. His infatuation causes him to feign academic interest, but his efforts are clumsy and ultimately lead to embarrassment and a police scare. ## Themes in this chapter ### Romance and Infatuation William's sudden crush on Miss Drew drives his actions, from stealing flowers to feigning interest in lessons. ### Rebellion and Authority William defies social norms and school rules by stealing and breaking into a house to impress his teacher. ### Childhood vs. Adulthood William's childish attempts at romance contrast with the adult world of responsibility and consequences. ## Character check-ins ### William Brown Develops a romantic infatuation with Miss Drew, steals flowers to impress her, and struggles with schoolwork. ### Miss Drew William's teacher and object of his affection; she is patient but exasperated by his behavior. ### Ethel Brown William's sister who reports the theft of hothouse flowers to the police. ### Mr. Brown William's father, who is annoyed by William's questions about the Armada and interest rates. ### Eric A classmate mentioned in William's refusal to lend money. ## Key lines > William gasped. He went home her devoted slave. William was stunned and became completely devoted to Miss Drew. _Marks the moment William's infatuation solidifies._ > He came out staggering beneath a piled-up basket of hothouse blooms. The hothouse itself was bare and desolate. He emerged carrying a huge basket of flowers, having stripped the hothouse completely. _Illustrates William's extreme effort to impress Miss Drew._ > William would have no half-measures. They were to be married by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, or else the Pope. William imagined an extravagant wedding with the highest religious authorities. _Shows William's grandiose fantasies about his crush._ > He took it dripping from the vase, and was preparing to depart, when the door opened and a fat woman appeared upon the threshold. He grabbed the wet syringa from the vase, but a woman entered the room just as he was about to leave. _Climax of William's theft attempt, leading to his escape._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/just_william_se/chapters/iv-the-fall-of-the-idol - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/just_william_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/just_william_se/chapters