Tom Brown’s School Days · Chapter
Fever in the School explained
Two years have passed; Martin has left and Arthur is nearly sixteen and at the head of the twenty.
What happens
Two years have passed; Martin has left and Arthur is nearly sixteen and at the head of the twenty. A fever breaks out at Rugby, and Thompson dies. Arthur falls ill and has a profound spiritual vision during his sickness, which he later shares with Tom. Tom, moved by Arthur's experience, resolves to be more honest and to give up using cribs.
Themes in this chapter
Character and Moral Development
Tom's resolution to give up cribs and be honest reflects his moral growth, spurred by Arthur's influence and illness.
Religion and Spirituality
Arthur's visionary experience and the Doctor's sermon emphasize themes of death, faith, and the afterlife, central to the chapter.
Friendship and Loyalty
Tom's care for Arthur during his illness and their deep conversation highlight the strength of their friendship.
Characters to notice
- Tom Brown
Now a strapping boy in the fifth form, still a thorough boy, but influenced by Arthur. He resolves to give up cribs and be honest after Arthur's illness.
- George Arthur
Nearly sixteen, head of the twenty, still frail but stronger. Falls ill with fever and has a visionary experience of death and the afterlife, which he describes to Tom.
- Harry East
Also in the fifth form, a strapping boy like Tom, but not deeply involved in the chapter's central events.
- Dr. Arnold
Addresses the school about the fever, gives a memorable sermon after Thompson's death, and administers the Sacrament to Arthur during his illness.
- Martin
Has left Rugby and gone on a cruise in the South Pacific; his magpie is left to Arthur.
Key passages
“I want to leave behind me the name of a fellow who never bullied a little boy, or turned his back on a big one.”
Tom wants to be remembered as someone who never bullied younger boys and never backed down from older ones.
Tom expresses his desire for a good reputation at Rugby.
“In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the Lord pardon thy servant in this thing.”
Arthur quotes a biblical passage about being pardoned for bowing in the house of Rimmon, implying that Tom's use of cribs is a similar compromise.
Arthur uses scripture to challenge Tom's honesty about using cribs.
“The vision is for an appointed time; though it tarry, wait for it, for in the end it shall speak and not lie, it shall surely come, it shall not tarry.”
Arthur recalls a voice saying that the vision is meant for a specific time and will come true eventually.
Arthur's visionary experience gives him hope and certainty about the afterlife.