# Fever in the School explained — Tom Brown’s School Days

> Chapter companion for Tom Brown’s School Days by Thomas Hughes.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/chapters/part-ii-vi-fever-in-the-school
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/chapters