When Charles the First Was King · Chapter
Of My First Going to School explained
Will Dale is sent to school under Dr.
What happens
Will Dale is sent to school under Dr. Parsons after Parson Drumbleforth persuades his parents. He meets new friends—Jack Drumbleforth, Ben Tuckett, and Tom Thorpe—and faces hostility from Dennis Watson, the son of his family's enemy. Dr. Parsons advises Will to learn thoroughly and avoid unnecessary fights. Will eventually stands up to Watson's bullying with his friends' support.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Heritage
The Dale-Watson feud shapes Will's school experience, as Dennis Watson's hostility stems from generations of enmity between their families.
Honor and Enmity
Will is taught to avoid fighting but must defend his honor against Watson's bullying, leading to a confrontation with his friends' support.
Rural Life and Nature
The chapter opens with Parson Drumbleforth's visit to the Dale home, set in a rural landscape, and references to farming and outdoor life.
Characters to notice
- Will Dale
The protagonist, a great lad sent to school for the first time, advised by Dr. Parsons to learn well and avoid fighting unless forced.
- Jack Drumbleforth
Son of Parson Drumbleforth, a solid, heavy-looking lad who becomes Will's friend and offers to look after him at school.
- Dennis Watson
Son of the Watson family enemy, a dark and forbidding lad who bullies Will and leads a group of evilly-disposed boys.
- Ben Tuckett
A round-faced, pleasant-tempered lad, nephew of the grocer, who becomes one of Will's close friends and roommates.
- Thomas Thorpe
Son of a steward, a new roommate and friend of Will, who supports him against Dennis Watson.
- Parson Drumbleforth
The vicar who persuades Will's parents to send him to school, visiting their home to discuss the matter.
Key passages
“thou dost learn, learn well, and be not ashamed if it takes thee two days to master what a sharper lad would master in one. It is better to know why a thing is done than how it is done.”
Learn thoroughly, and don't be embarrassed if you're slower than a quicker student. Understanding the reason behind a task is more important than just completing it.
Dr. Parsons advises Will on the value of deep learning over speed.
“never fight until thou art bound to do so. Be not the aggressor. He that gives cause of offence deserveth punishing. So when thou art forced to fight, fight not in anger, but with cool temper, and remember that a shot straight out from the left shoulder is a wonderful thing to cool down thy adversary.”
Only fight when you have no choice. Don't start a quarrel; the one who provokes deserves punishment. If you must fight, stay calm and aim a straight punch from your left shoulder to quickly subdue your opponent.
Dr. Parsons gives Will practical advice on avoiding and handling fights.
“Between a Dale and a Watson there was never any speech. If we did but meet in the highways we passed each other without word or look.”
Members of the Dale and Watson families never spoke to each other, even when passing on the road.
Will describes the longstanding feud that prevents any interaction between the two families.