IV: Certain Revelations explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Authority and Rebellion

  Jim's decision to break into the Pavilion despite being a prefect highlights the tension between school rules and personal necessity.

• Adventure and Escapade

  Jim's nighttime burglary is described as a 'jolly sporting' adventure, emphasizing the thrill and risk of his actions.

• Crime and Detection

  The chapter sets up the mystery of the real burglary, with Jim fearing he will be wrongly accused and a detective being called in.

Characters to notice

• Jim Thomson

  Confesses his nighttime escapade to Tony, detailing how he broke into the Pavilion to retrieve his notes and encountered the real burglar.

• Tony Graham

  Receives Jim's confession, listens with interest, and discusses the potential consequences of Jim's actions.

• Mr. Thompson

  Intercepts a note from Jim to Tony during morning school, ordering Tony to tear it up.

• Charteris

  Refuses to lend Jim his notebook, saying he needs it for exam preparation.

• Biffen

  The ground-man who locked up the Pavilion at half-past six and took the key.

• Cairns

  Mentioned as a precedent: lost his prefect's cap for staying out after lockup.

Key passages

• “Constant practice has made Thompson a sort of amateur lynx.”

  Thompson has become very observant due to his experience.

  Tony comments on Mr. Thompson's sharpness in catching the note.

• “Kill my father and burn my ancestral home, and I will look on and smile. But touch these notes and you rouse the British Lion.”

  I would tolerate almost any disaster, but do not dare to borrow my notes.

  Charteris dramatically refuses to lend Jim his notebook.

• “I’d lose my prefect’s cap for a cert.”

  I would certainly lose my position as a prefect.

  Jim worries about the consequences of his actions.