School Stories · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for School Stories by P. G. Wodehouse.
Chapter 1
Work
The narrator argues that school life should revolve around enjoyment and athletics rather than academic work, criticizing the system that forces boys to study classical languages and praising the ideal of a school focused on games. He illustrates his points with humorous hypothetical addresses to the headmaster, a cautionary tale about Charles Vanderpoop's descent into scholarship, and a dramatic sketch of a student torn between conscience and laziness when facing exams.
Chapter 2
Now, Talking About Cricket
The narrator reflects on the joys and nuances of cricket, contrasting it with football, and extolling the virtues of the game as a serious business. He shares personal anecdotes about school matches, the importance of white boots, the superiority of bowling over batting, and the peculiar rituals of lower games and umpiring.
Chapter 3
The Tom Brown Question
A traveler on a train is drawn into a conversation by a stranger who argues that the second half of Tom Brown's Schooldays was written by a different author. The stranger presents evidence from the cricket match and Tom's actions, and ultimately reveals a fanciful theory involving a secret society that forced Mr. Hughes to let them write the second part.
Chapter 4
Bradshaw’s Little Story
The narrator recounts an incident involving Frederick Wackerbath Bradshaw, a schoolboy whose cunning and unscrupulous nature foreshadows his later criminal career. On the eve of a Euripides exam, Bradshaw lounges idly while his study mates panic. He learns from the narrator that Mr. Yorke is setting the paper, and later devises a scheme to avoid punishment for his poor performance. He claims he accidentally saw the exam paper and deliberately did badly to avoid unfair advantage. The headmaster sees through the lie and punishes him. Bradshaw blames the narrator for misinforming him—the paper was actually set by the headmaster. Despite the setback, Bradshaw later concocts a successful explanation to Mr. Mellish, leaving the narrator and friends curious but unable to extract the truth.
Chapter 5
How Pillingshot Scored
Pillingshot is dismayed by Mr. Mellish's surprise Livy exam and seeks a way to avoid it. After a grueling fielding session at the nets with Scott, he volunteers to score for the school cricket team at Windybury, thereby escaping the exam. The chapter highlights his aversion to work and his opportunistic cunning.
Chapter 6
The Odd Trick
Harrison, a student at Merevale's House, habitually uses passive-aggressive tactics to settle scores. After being caught and punished by prefect Tony Graham for a dormitory prank, Harrison retaliates by unfairly umpiring a cricket match, calling Graham's bowling 'no-ball' and denying clear wickets. Later, Harrison oversleeps and, in his rush to chapel, borrows Graham's mackintosh without permission. Graham reclaims it publicly, leaving Harrison exposed in his nightshirt, and he is seen by Merevale and the Headmaster.
Chapter 7
L'Affaire Uncle John
Richard Venables writes a series of letters recounting his disastrous first encounter with his Uncle John, whom he mistakes for a vandal digging up the cricket pitch. After insulting him, Venables attempts to apologize, but Uncle John refuses and gives away a promised City nomination. However, Venables's batting in the Rugborough match impresses Lord Marmaduke Twistleton, who offers him a future position as a land-agent in Scotland, contingent on attending university. The chapter concludes with Venables's acceptance to Oxford and his success in the Varsity match.
Chapter 8
I
Walkinshaw, acting as football captain in Grey's absence, schemes to drop Payne from the First Fifteen to motivate him, despite Payne being the team's best forward. Payne learns he has been relegated to the Second Fifteen and resolves to 'buck up'.
Chapter 9
II
The Second Fifteen football team, initially expected to be easily defeated by the First, stages a remarkable comeback, leading to a draw. The match results in several injuries, including Barrett with a dislocated collarbone and Reade with a busted ankle. Walkinshaw's scheme to motivate Payne through tough play succeeds, but leads to his own injury. Grey, from the infirmary, appoints Payne captain for the upcoming Windybury match, which the School wins thanks to Payne's try, earning him his First Fifteen colours.
Chapter 10
III
As the Easter term winds down, Charteris finds himself bored and restless. With football mostly over and his friends preoccupied with training for various sports, he struggles to find amusement. He works on a satirical article for his unofficial school paper, The Glow Worm, when the Babe interrupts to drag him out for a run. The Babe is anxious about the upcoming House-match against Dacre's and tries to motivate Charteris to train. Later, Charteris considers entering a race as a lark, despite the Babe's warnings about potential consequences.
Chapter 11
IV
Charteris announces his plan to sneak out of school to run in the strangers' mile at the Rutton sports, despite it being out of bounds. His friends try to dissuade him, but he is determined. On the day, he goes to Rutton, runs the race, and narrowly misses winning. He then rushes to catch the train back, with the Bargees' secretary recognizing him and questioning his presence.
Chapter 12
V
Charteris, having missed his train, encounters two rural hooligans harassing a young girl on a bicycle. He intervenes physically, defeating both and rescuing the girl. After a brief conversation, he realizes he has missed his train and must walk eight miles back to St. Austin's. Fortunately, Dr. Adamson gives him a lift.
Chapter 13
VI
Charteris is called before the Headmaster for breaking school rules by attending the Rutton athletic sports. The Headmaster is about to punish him severely when his niece Dorothy enters, revealing that Charteris had helped her earlier. In light of this, the Headmaster reduces the punishment to writing ten lines of Virgil with translation. Later, Charteris returns to Merevale's House, discusses the upcoming House football match against Dacre's, and recounts his encounter with the Bargee man at Rutton.
Chapter 14
VII
Mr. John Dalgliesh writes a letter to Mr. Philip Mortimer of Penge, recommending his son Reginald for a vacant post at the firm of Messrs Van Nugget, Diomonde, and Mynes, African merchants.
Chapter 15
VIII
Richard Venables writes to his father, Major-General Sir Everard Venables, about Uncle John's rejection of his apology and the loss of a nomination to a City firm. However, a promising opportunity arises: the Duke of Twistleton, impressed by Venables's batting, offers him a future position as a land-agent on his Scottish estate after university, contingent on attending the 'Varsity. Venables seeks his father's approval, highlighting the alignment with his desired outdoor life and the Duke's guarantee.
Chapter 16
IX
Richard Venables receives a telegram from his father, Major-General Sir Everard Venables, indicating approval of his actions.
Chapter 17
X
This chapter presents a letter from Richard Venables to his father, Sir Everard Venables, followed by excerpts from The Austinian listing new residents at Oxford colleges, and a Daily Mail account of the 'Varsity match where Venables scores a stylish fifty-seven, with a mention of a missed catch by Smith.
Chapter 18
Harrison's Slight Error
Harrison loses his reserved train seat to a new boy, then attempts revenge by tricking the newcomer into dismantling the head of house's study, only to discover the boy is Venables' brother.
Chapter 19
A Shocking Affair
The narrator recounts how Frederick Wackerbath Bradshaw, a fellow student at St. Austin's, devised a scheme to avoid the Thucydides examination by locking himself in the school Museum. Despite the narrator's skepticism, Bradshaw successfully evades the exam, and the chapter ends with a reflection on the moral of the tale.
Chapter 20
The Babe and the Dragon
The Babe, a talented Scottish footballer at St. Austin's, must choose between joining Dacre's or Merevale's house for the upcoming inter-house cup. His decision is influenced by his traumatic encounters with Miss Florence Beezley, a learned and intimidating friend of his sister, who relentlessly quizzes him on literature. After learning that Miss Beezley is engaged to Mr. Dacre, the Babe decides to join Merevale's, partly to avoid future breakfast and supper duties with Dacre. Charteris, the school journalist, reveals the engagement and teases the Babe about it.
Chapter 21
The Manoeuvres of Charteris
Charteris orchestrates a series of clever maneuvers to navigate school politics, involving schemes, friendships, and subtle rebellions against authority.
Chapter 22
I
Walkinshaw, acting as football captain in Grey's absence, schemes to drop Payne from the First Fifteen to motivate him, despite Payne being the team's best forward. Payne learns he has been relegated to the Second Fifteen and resolves to 'buck up'.
Chapter 23
II
The Second Fifteen football team, initially expected to be easily defeated by the First, stages a remarkable comeback, leading to a draw. The match results in several injuries, including Barrett with a dislocated collarbone and Reade with a busted ankle. Walkinshaw's scheme to motivate Payne through tough play succeeds, but leads to his own injury. Grey, from the infirmary, appoints Payne captain for the upcoming Windybury match, which the School wins thanks to Payne's try, earning him his First Fifteen colours.
Chapter 24
III
As the Easter term winds down, Charteris finds himself bored and restless. With football mostly over and his friends preoccupied with training for various sports, he struggles to find amusement. He works on a satirical article for his unofficial school paper, The Glow Worm, when the Babe interrupts to drag him out for a run. The Babe is anxious about the upcoming House-match against Dacre's and tries to motivate Charteris to train. Later, Charteris considers entering a race as a lark, despite the Babe's warnings about potential consequences.
Chapter 25
IV
Charteris announces his plan to sneak out of school to run in the strangers' mile at the Rutton sports, despite it being out of bounds. His friends try to dissuade him, but he is determined. On the day, he goes to Rutton, runs the race, and narrowly misses winning. He then rushes to catch the train back, with the Bargees' secretary recognizing him and questioning his presence.
Chapter 26
V
Charteris, having missed his train, encounters two rural hooligans harassing a young girl on a bicycle. He intervenes physically, defeating both and rescuing the girl. After a brief conversation, he realizes he has missed his train and must walk eight miles back to St. Austin's. Fortunately, Dr. Adamson gives him a lift.
Chapter 27
VI
Charteris is called before the Headmaster for breaking school rules by attending the Rutton athletic sports. The Headmaster is about to punish him severely when his niece Dorothy enters, revealing that Charteris had helped her earlier. In light of this, the Headmaster reduces the punishment to writing ten lines of Virgil with translation. Later, Charteris returns to Merevale's House, discusses the upcoming House football match against Dacre's, and recounts his encounter with the Bargee man at Rutton.
Chapter 28
How Payne Bucked Up
The chapter focuses on Payne's unexpected improvement and determination, possibly in a sporting or academic context, as he 'bucks up' and rises to a challenge.
Chapter 29
I
Walkinshaw, acting as football captain in Grey's absence, schemes to drop Payne from the First Fifteen to motivate him, despite Payne being the team's best forward. Payne learns he has been relegated to the Second Fifteen and resolves to 'buck up'.
Chapter 30
II
The Second Fifteen football team, initially expected to be easily defeated by the First, stages a remarkable comeback, leading to a draw. The match results in several injuries, including Barrett with a dislocated collarbone and Reade with a busted ankle. Walkinshaw's scheme to motivate Payne through tough play succeeds, but leads to his own injury. Grey, from the infirmary, appoints Payne captain for the upcoming Windybury match, which the School wins thanks to Payne's try, earning him his First Fifteen colours.
Chapter 31
Author!
J. S. M. Babington, a student at St. Austin's, faces a dilemma between duty and pleasure after being caught in a classroom prank by a temporary master, Mr. Seymour. Later, at a tea party, Babington discovers that Mr. Seymour is the author of a play he just attended. After a series of awkward denials, Mr. Seymour reveals he is no longer a master, letting Babington off the hook.
Chapter 32
The Tabby Terror
The chapter details the escalating conflict between the students of Prater's House and a thieving cat named Captain Kettle. After the cat steals food from Smith and Montgomery's study, a campaign of retaliation begins, but the cat continues its raids, stealing from prefects and fags alike. Trentham, injured and visited by his sister, convinces her to ask the Praters for the cat. When Captain Kettle eats the Praters' prized canary, they decide to get rid of him, and Trentham's sister takes him away, ending the 'Tabby Terror'.
Chapter 33
The Prize Poem
The chapter describes the annual Prize Poem competition at St. Austin's, a bequest from a misanthropic man that forces every Sixth Form member to submit a poem. Reynolds, convalescing in the infirmary, writes an opening quatrain for Smith's entry. The same quatrain is independently discovered by Montgomery and Morrison, leading to three identical poem submissions. The Headmaster, Mr. Perceval, discovers the collusion and summons the three boys to explain.
Chapter 34
A Corner in Lines
Dunstable, a student at Locksley, exploits a loophole to leave school a day early, tricking his form-master Mr. Langridge into setting him lines he never intends to complete. Upon returning next term, he faces consequences from his housemaster Mr. Day, who sets him a different punishment. With help from his friend Linton, Dunstable navigates the school's imposition system, eventually turning lines into a profitable enterprise.
Chapter 35
The Autograph Hunters
Dunstable schemes to obtain Mr. Montagu Watson's autograph for his housemaster Mr. Day, who collects autographs. After a failed letter posing as a young fan, he enlists Linton's help to write as a bereaved widow, but is again rebuffed. Finally, he deliberately trespasses on Watson's property, gets caught, and is reported to Mr. Day. When punished, he reveals that the complaint letter itself provides the desired autograph, and Mr. Day lightens the punishment.
Chapter 36
An International Affair
Mr. Oliver Ring of New York opens a branch of his 'Come-One Come-All Up-to-date Stores' in Wrykyn, threatening the local confectioner's shop, Cook's, which has long been a beloved school institution. Dunstable and Linton, loyal to Cook's, devise a plan to discredit Ring's by making themselves and several other boys ill after eating buckwheat cakes there, leading the headmaster to put the store out of bounds.
Chapter 37
Shields’ and the Cricket Cup
Clephane, a new day boy at the inconspicuous Shields' house, decides to enter the house cricket cup despite the house's poor reputation. With Mansfield's help, he assembles a team of unlikely players. They win their first match against Appleby's and then, through a lucky toss, advance directly to the final, much to the annoyance of Henfrey, the cricket captain.
Chapter 38
The Politeness of Princes
G. Montgomery Chapple, a student at Seymour's house, has a chronic habit of being late for breakfast. After receiving punishments from Mr. Seymour, he tries various schemes to wake up on time, including sleeping with fewer blankets and setting his watch forward half an hour. Both fail, and he ends up even later. The chapter concludes with Chapple eventually reforming after a series of mishaps.
Chapter 39
The Guardian
Thomas Beauchamp Algernon Shearne begins his public school career at Eckleton, armed with advice from his family and a promise from his mother that a boy named Spencer will look after him. Spencer, initially reluctant and dismissive, receives postal orders from the Shearne family as thanks for his rough treatment of Thomas. After a series of awkward encounters and prodding from his friend Phipps, Spencer eventually meets Thomas, and the two begin a grudging acquaintance that hints at a developing friendship.
Chapter 40
Pillingshot, Detective
Pillingshot is reluctantly appointed as a detective by his fag-master Scott to investigate the theft of Evans' sovereign. Despite his initial reluctance and the absurdity of the situation, Pillingshot goes through the motions of collecting clues and interrogating suspects, eventually producing the sovereign. He reveals that he simply took it himself from Evans' pocket, having found it on the floor, and used the detective charade to earn a reprieve from fagging.
