# How Pillingshot Scored explained — School Stories

> Chapter companion for School Stories by P. G. Wodehouse.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Work vs. Pleasure

Pillingshot's desire to avoid the Livy exam contrasts with his willingness to score at a cricket match, illustrating his preference for leisure over academic duty.

### Trickery and Cunning

Pillingshot seizes the opportunity to volunteer as scorer to escape the exam, a clever maneuver that avoids direct confrontation.

### Social Hierarchy and Initiation

Scott's casual command of Pillingshot for fielding duties and the dynamics of senior-junior relationships reflect the school's social order.

## Character check-ins

### Pillingshot

Protagonist who schemes to avoid a Livy exam and ends up scoring for the cricket team.

### Smith

First Eleven cricketer who conscripts Pillingshot into fielding at the nets.

### Richard Venables

Captain of the St. Austin's cricket team who agrees to let Pillingshot score.

### Mr. Mellish

Master who announces the midterm Livy examination.

### Parker

Pillingshot's friend who offers unhelpful advice about the exam.

### Smythe

Top of the form who suggests studying for the exam.

## Key lines

> Pillingshot felt that he would have enjoyed it more if he could have watched it from a deck-chair.

Pillingshot wished he could relax instead of running after the ball.

_Highlights his laziness and preference for comfort._

> Timeo Danaos

I fear the Greeks, even when bearing gifts.

_Classical allusion suggesting Pillingshot should have been wary of Scott's seemingly kind offer._

> the baffled villain in transpontine melodrama

like a thwarted villain in a melodramatic play

_Describes Mr. Mellish's dramatic reaction to Pillingshot's absence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/school_stories_se/chapters/how-pillingshot-scored
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/school_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/school_stories_se/chapters