Question

Which courtesies did Braithwaite ask his class to observe and how did the students react to these ‘new rules’? Describe the incident that brought about a change in  Denham’s hostile attitude towards Braithwaite

Answer 1

Braithwaite told his students they would be treated not as children but as young men and women. When Pamela Dare rushed in the class late he said that the right way to enter a room is in a controlled and dignified manner. Pamela did as she was told. She went out of the room and came back with grace and dignity. He told his students to address him as ‘Mr. Braithwaite’ or ‘Sir’. The young ladies should be addressed as ‘Miss’ and the young men will be addressed by their surnames.
When a student objected Braithwaite asked him if the young ladies did not deserve to be addressed as Miss.
The young ladies must show that they are worthy of the courtesies that the men will show them. He told the boys to be cleaner and tidier. There is nothing weak and unmanly about clean hands and faces and shoes that are brushed. A man who is strong and tough never needs to show it in his dress or the way he cuts his hair. Being the top class of the school they must set the standards for the rest of the school.
The students expressed their reactions in the Weekly Review. They commented on the new method of addressing each other. Some of the boys thought that it was silly to address the girls as Miss. Some girls thought that asking Mrs. Dale-Evans to talk to them about washing themselves and their clothing was unnecessary. In spite, if these negative comments they were pleased to be treated like
grownups.
Denham and his close friends remained hostile to Braithwaite. During the P.T. period, Denham requested Braithwaite to have boxing first. He told them get into pairs. In the end only Denham remained unpaired. He asked Braithwaite to have about with him. Braithwaite refused but he could see disappointment and disgust on the faces of the students. He agreed and faced Denham. Denham was a good boxer and Braithwaite decided to dodge for a short while till he could stop it. Suddenly Denham hit him on his face. Braithwaite was angry now and he hit Denham. Denham doubled up and sank to the floor. He hurried to Denham and helped him. Gradually Denham’s attitude changed
after this incident.