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Good Bye Mr. Chips
~ James Hilton

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Chips’ Life After Retirement

1. When was Mr. Chips born?
1
Mr. Chips was born in 1848.

2. How did Mr. Chips measure his time at Mrs. Wickett’s house?
Mr. Chips felt sleepy at times. The hours seemed to pass like lazy cattle moving across a landscape.
He remained lost in the past. Like some captain, Mr. Chips measured his time by the signals of the
past. He read books, received visitors, served them with tea and biscuits or remained lost in the past.

3. What is meant by Anno Domini?

Anno Domini is defined as advancing age. It is defined as the autumn or evening of one’s life or
declining years.

4. What is a weak point of Mr. Chips as a teacher?

For a year, M. Chips taught at Melbury School. Here he was ragged a good deal that’s why he had not
liked this school. There he could not control the children i.e. he was not a good disciplinarian. It was the
weak point of Mr. Chips as a teacher.

5. How was the day when Mr. Chips came to Brookfield for interview?
Mr. Chips had put in for Brookfield after a year at Melbury. He could even remember the day of his
preliminary interview. It was sunny July of 1870, with the air full of flower scents and the plick-plock of
cricket on the pitch. One of the Barnhurst boy scored a wonderful century. These memories of school
and Mr. Wetherby were very vivid in his mind.

6. What type of head was Wetherby? Describe Mr. Chips’ first meeting with him?
In 1840, Wetherby was appointed the head of Brookfield. He was very fatherly and courteous. His eyes
were vivid. He died in the following summer vacations before Mr. Chips started his first term. But both
had met anyway. Mr. Chips had a vivid recollection of Wetherby’s memories in his mind. During Mr.
Chips’ first interview at Brookfield, Wetherby advised him to adopt a strict attitude towards students
from the very beginning.

7. What did Mr. Wetherby advise to Mr. Chips?

During Mr. Chips’ preliminary interview, Mr. Wetherby advised Mr. Chips that youth and age often
combine well. He advised him to give his enthusiasm to Brookfield and he would get something in
return. Moreover, he said that did not let anyone to play tricks with him and from the very beginning,
adopt a strict attitude towards the students and became a good disciplinarian.

8. How did M. Chips face his first class at Brookfield? In addition, how did he punish his first
student?
The big hall was full of five hundred boys. They looked like lusty barbarians to pounce upon him. As
individuals, they looked like decent little beggars. As a crowd, they were pitiless. Mr. Chips was afraid of
taking his first class at Brookfield. As he took his seat there was sudden hush in the class. There was
smell of ink and varnish. The clock was ticking behind. The red rays of the setting sun were passing
through the stained window glass. Someone dropped the desk lid. He was Colley. Mr. Chips caught him
for mischief and punished him. After that nobody tried to make a mischief.

9. What did he used to say to Colley?

Colley’s son and grandson also became Chips’ pupils. Chips used to ridicule his grandson by saying
that his father and grandfather were fools but he was the biggest fool of the whole lot.

10. Why did Mr. Chips laugh and cry at same time?
The growing age was a great but a sad joke too. He remembered these jokes and the waves of humour
and sadness swept over him until tears fell from his eyes. Hence, he did not realize whether he was
laughing or crying.

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Brookfield
1. Describe the structure of Brookfield. Who rebuilt and extended it?
2
Brookfield was an old foundation which was established during the reign of Queen Elizabeth in the 16th
century. It was surrounded by elm trees and its building was centered upon a quadrangle. It had playing
field beyond, a small village and an open fenland around. Its building was rebuilt and extended during
the reign of George-I.

2. What kind of school was Brookfield?

Brookfield was not as famous as Harrow or Eton. It went up and down, dwindling almost to non-
existence at one time, becoming illustrious at another. It was not the first-rank school but a good school
of the second-rank. It has supplied history making men of the age including judges, Parliament
members, colonial administrators, peers, bi-shops, merchants, manufacturers, professional men,
country squires and parsons.

3. Trace out similarities between Mr. Chips and Brookfield.

Brookfield was a second-rank school and could never attain the position of Eton and Harrow. Mr. Chips
was also a mediocre teacher. His degrees were not so good. Hence, he could only serve in a second-
rank school.

4. What was Mr. Chips’ dream as a teacher?

As a teacher, he wanted to get a headship or at any rate, a senior mastership in a really first-class
school. But after repeated failures, he realized that he could go nowhere else instead he had to stay in
Brookfield.

5. Describe his gradual development as a teacher in Brookfield.

Mr. Chips entered Brookfield in 1870. After a decade, in 1880, he came to realize that he could go
nowhere but had to stay in Brookfield. At forty, he was rooted, settled, and quite happy. At fifty, he was
doyen of the staff. At sixty, he became Brookfield himself and he was the guest of honour in dinners
and the court of appeal in all matters. And in 1913, at age of sixty-five, he was retired.

6. What was given to him at his retirement?

A decent career was decently closed. In 1913, at the age of sixty-five, Mr. Chips was retired and
presented with a cheque, a writing desk and a clock. Afterwards, he went across a road to live at Mrs.
Wickett’s house. At his retirement, people showered honours on him and presented three cheers.

At Mrs. Wickett’s House

1. How did Mr. Chips serve a boy who visited him?
3
The boys and the teachers often visited him in the afternoon at Mrs. Wickett’s house which was quite
opposite to the Brookfield. He served them with walnut cake and tea. Sometime he also presented
crumpets in the winters. He himself made tea for them and quite at five in evening; he smiled and shook
hands with them in the porch leaving them to race across the road to the school.

2. How was Mr. Chips’ room decorated?

Mr. Chips’ room was furnished simply and with school-masterly taste. There were few bookshelves and
sporting trophies. A mantelpiece was crowded with fixture-cards and signed photographs of boys and
men. There was a worn Turkey carpet, big-easy chairs and the wall was decorated with pictures of
Acropolis and the Forum. His room was small but a comfortable one.

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3. What was Mrs. Wickett’s job at Brookfield?
Mrs. Wickett was the landlady of the house in which Mr. Chips lived after his retirement. She had been
the incharge of the linen-room at Brookfield.

4. Who was Major Collingwood? Why did Mr. Chips punish him?
Major Collingwood was the uncle of Branksome and had been the student of Mr. Chips. Once he was
punished by Chips because he climbed on the gymnasium roof to get a ball out of the gutter which have
might broken his neck. He was rude to Mrs. Wickett. Afterwards he was awarded with D.S.O. medal
and then killed in Egypt.

5. What were the financial conditions of Mr. Chips after retirement?

After retirement, he was living a pleasant and placid life at Mrs. Wickett’s house. He had no worries and
his pension was adequate. There was also a little money he had saved. Hence, he could afford
everything and anything he wanted.

6. What was the idea of Mr. Chips about Latin and Greek languages?
Mr. Chips was not a profound classical scholar. He thought of Latin and Greek far more as dead
languages than as living languages spoken by the people. He thought English gentlemen ought to know
just few quotations about these languages.

7. How did he spend his time at Mrs. Wickett’s house?

Reading, talking, remembering, taking tea, receiving visitors, correcting the next edition of Brookfield
Directory and writing his occasional letters were the quiet enjoyments of Mr. Chips. He remained so
busy all the daylong that he was exhausted.

8. “A typical bachelor”, was it true about Mr. Chips?

Mr. Chips was not a typical bachelor. Just he prepared tea in such an awkward manner that teachers
said that he was a typical bachelor. But he had married so long ago that none of the Brookfield staff
could remember his wife.

Spring of 1896 – Meeting with

Katherine Bridges
1. When and where did Chips go during summer vacations of 1896?
4
Mr. Chips went to Lake District in 1896 with his colleague, Rowden in order to spend summer
vacations. Rowden was a busy person who had to return soon on some family business and Mr. Chips
stayed alone at Wasdale Head in a small house where he would spend his time in walking and hiking.

2. How did Chips come across Katherine Bridges?

Mr. Chips encountered Katherine Bridges in 1896 during his visit to a mountain Great Gable. She was
standing on a dangerous rock and waving her hand. He thought that she was in danger and needed
help. So, he rushed forward, fell down and sprained ankle. Then Katherine came to help him. In this
way, Mr. Chips came across Katherine Bridges.

3. What were the views of Mr. Chips about women?

OR
4. How did Chips feel in the company of women?
OR
5. What was Chips’ idea about modernism?
According to Mr. Chips, modern women were bold, fashionable and had radical ideas. They leaned
towards the views of people like Bernard Shaw, William Morris and Ibsen. Hence, he did not care for
women and did not feel at ease with them. He considered them monstrous creature that filled him with
horror. Moreover, he avoided modern women and did not marry till the age of forty-eight. He was
conservative and had the notion that ideal women should be weak, timid and delicate whom the ideal
men treat with polite but chivalry manners.

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6. Describe physical appearance of Katherine Bridges.
Katherine Bridges was twenty five years old when she met Mr. Chips. She was young enough to be
Chips’ daughter. She had blue, flashing eyes, freckled cheeks and smooth straw-coloured hairs. Overall
impression about her was that she was sweet, beautiful, attractive and decent girl who used to ride a
bicycle.

7. What were political ideas of Katherine Bridges?

Katherine was a radical in politics. She was a governess out of job. She believed that women ought to
be admitted to the universities. Moreover, they should have right to vote and enjoy equality of rights with
men. She was a woman leaning towards the views of people like Bernard Shaw, William Morris and
Ibsen.

8. When and where did they get married?

In 1896, when Mr. Chips was forty-eight and Katherine Bridges was twenty-five years old, they were
head over heels in love during their stay at Wasdale Head. Afterwards, they were engaged and were
married in London, a week before the beginning of the autumn term.

A Day Before Marriage

1. What did Chips remember about the time he spent with Katherine at Lake District?
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Mr. Chips remembered the time of dizzy happiness during evening strolls by the waterside, Katherine’s
cool voice and her gay laughter. She had always been a happy person. They had been so eager,
planning a future together. But he had been a bit serious about it even a little awed.

2. What were the ideas of Katherine about Mr. Chips’ profession?

Katherine was glad that Mr. Chips was not a solicitor, a stockbroker, a dentist or a businessman in
Manchester. She was glad to think that Chips was a school master. He could influence the minds of the
young boys who would become useful citizens of England in future.

3. How did Chips depreciate or criticize himself? What was the reaction of Katherine?
Mr. Chips depreciated himself by telling Katherine of his mediocre degree, his weak discipline, his
certainty of never getting promotion and his inability of marrying a young girl. Katherine heard all this
calmly and just laughed in response.

4. From where was Katherine married?

Katherine had no parents hence she was married from the house of her aunty in Ealing.

5. What did Katherine Bridges say to Mr. Chips on night before their wedding?
Katherine said with mock-gravity that she felt like a new boy beginning his first term with him. She
asked him if she should call him “Sir” or “Mr. Chips”. She considered “Mr. Chips would be right.” At the
end, she said, “Good- Bye Mr. Chips”

A Football Match
1. What was the performance of Mr. Chips as a teacher before his marriage?
6
Before marriage, Mr. Chips was a harsh and dry person. He was conservative, narrow-minded, and
short-tempered and hated the modern women. His performance before marriage as a teacher lacked
inspiration. He worked well. He was diligent and a fixture that gave service, satisfaction, confidence and
everything except inspiration.

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2. What changes did Katherine Bridges bring in Mr. Chips?
OR
3. What sort of humour did Mr. Chips have? How did Katherine improve it?
Before marriage, Mr. Chips was a harsh and dry person. He was conservative, narrow-minded, and
short-tempered and hated the modern women. After marriage, Chips’ sense of humour was sharpened
and blossomed into a sudden richness. He began to cut jokes in the class. His discipline improved and
lessons became interesting. His opinion about the women was changed and he became broad-minded
and less rigid. Moreover, he began to look beyond Brookfield. In a nutshell, she made him a new man.

4. When and how did the boys at school begin to love Mr. Chips?
After marriage, Chips became lenient and kind. He began to understand the boys and linked his
happiness with theirs. After marriage, Chips’ sense of humour was sharpened and blossomed into a
sudden richness. He began to cut jokes in the class. His discipline improved and lessons became
interesting. His opinion about the women was changed and he became broad-minded and less rigid.
Moreover, he began to look beyond Brookfield. In a nutshell, she made him a new man. All these things
made the boys to love Mr. Chips.

5. What was the idea of Mr. Chips about England?

Katherine broadened his views. So, he began to look beyond the roofs and turrets of Brookfield. He saw
England as something deep and gracious to which Brookfield was one of the feeding streams.

6. What was the response of school when Katherine Bridges proposed for a soccer match?
The proposal of a soccer match between the Brookfieldian boys and the Poplar boys of the Mission
School in East London was a new idea. Everyone was certain that East End boys would be ruffians and
they would make everyone confused and upset. Therefore, the whole staff protested to it rather strongly
opposed it.

7. How did she persuade Mr. Chips for the match?

Katherine said that England would not ever be divided into officers and other ranks, those Poplar boys
who were as important to England as Brookfieldian boys. So, Chips had to consent to it. She convinced
the school authorities to invite the boys from Mission School to play a match. Thus, the match was
played in a pleasant atmosphere. Her opinion was appreciated.

8. How did the game go? What impressions did the boys take with them?
Poplar boys arrived at Brookfield one Saturday afternoon. The match was played in a friendly
atmosphere with second team of Brookfield. Everything went off quite well. Poplar boys were
honourably defeated by seven goals to five and they were served with high tea in the Dining hall. Poplar
boys carried back as fine impression as they had left behind.

9. Who came to see Mr. Chips during the war?

One of the Poplar boy visited Mr. Chips during the war years later. Chips gave him tea and chatted with
him. He was solider to whom Mr. Chips told that there were new boys and masters at school who had
not seen his wife because she died a half year later his visit in 1898. The solider said that he and his
friends remembered Brookfield and his wife, Katherine Bridges. Moreover, Chips told him that soccer
match was a grand day and a fine game.

10. How did Katherine help Mr. Chips in the matters of school?
Katherine was popular with boys and masters alike. She conquered Brookfield as he had conquered
Chips. She participated in all the school functions and helped Mr. Chips in arrangements. She remained
the centre of attention of everyone. In addition, she was a good player of music and could play different
roles before the audience. Moreover, she helped her husband in dealing with the boys who made
mischief.

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Memories of the Past

1. What memories of Katherine haunted Chips?
7
In his memory, he saw Katherine scampering along the stone corridors, laughing at some mistake in the
essay he was marking, taking part in a Mozart trio for the school and tending him her good advice.
Moreover, he remembered that how Katherine furred and muffed for the December house matches and
her presence at the garden party that was followed by Speech Day Prize-giving.

2. How did she urge Mr. Chips to forgive the boys? Did she always plead for leniency?
Katherine urged Mr. Chips to give them a chance. He should talk to them and they would be right. He
should tell them that they would be punished if they repeated the mistake. But she did not always plead
for leniency. On rare occasions, she urged severity and asked him to punish the rude and arrogant
boys. She requested him to give more chance to the boy to correct himself.

3. What did Chips remember about Dunster?

Dunster was Mr. Chips’ student who had put a rat in organ-loft while Mr. Ogilvie was taking choir
practice. Mr. Chips also recollected that Dunster was drowned at Jutland.

4. Did Chips start writing his memories? What difficulties did he face?
Mr. Chips wanted to write a book about his life at Brookfield but he felt that it might not be so interesting
for readers. He had numerous funny and sad, comic and tragic events in his mind and he wished to
record them in the shape of book but he could not afford the fatigue of writing because writing was a
tiresome job for him.

Katherine’s Death
1. What did Faulkner ask Mr. Chips on April 1st, 1898?
8
Faulkner was the small boy who met Chips when he was returning from Brookfield village and was sad
because Katherine had died. That boy wanted to get short leave. He was asking the same things
repeatedly. Hence, Mr. Chips wanted to respond to him sadly and to ask him to go to hell.

2. Why did Chips not want to receive condolences?

Mr. Chips did not want to receive condolences as he wanted to get used to the things if he could before
facing the kind words of others. Moreover, he did not want to talk to others.

3. What was the April foolery Chips face? How did it affect him?
He was at desk when someone said that there were letters for him. He opened them one by one but all
the letters contained a blank sheet of paper. He thought it strange because he was sorrowful, but he
made no comment. The incident gave hardly an impact on him vastly greater preoccupations. Many
days later, he realized that it was April foolery.

4. When did Katherine die?

Katherine and her new born child, died on April 1st 1898.

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Effect of Katherine’s Death

1. How did housemaster ship prove useful after the death of his wife?
9
After the death of his wife, his housemaster ship filled up the emptiness in his mind and heart. Firstly,
he thought that he would give up his housemaster ship but the Head of Brookfield persuaded him to not
give up. Later on, he began to remain glad.

2. What changes did the death of Katherine Bridges bring into Mr. Chips?
Mr. Chips was fifty years old when his wife died. After her death, he was physically very active and
strong but this shock had broken him inwardly. He was badly shaken and again went into the past. He
lost interest in lessons and he was totally different. His hair turned grey and everyone noticed it. He
wore a tattered gown and he was the man who looked “old” now.

3. What did Mr. Chips remember about Naylor?

Naylor was the boy who watched Mr. Chips’ game of energetic fives. He was the boy who commented
that Chips was old still he played well. Mr. Chips was amused at the remark.

4. What do you know about Halsbury?

He was the lawyer. He became Chancellor at eighty two and died at ninety nine.

5. What changes did occur in Chips in start of new century?

When the new century dawned, Mr. Chips became mature which gathered all his developing
mannerism and oft-repeated problems and a single harmony. Now, he did not face disciplinary
problems and he felt diffident about his own work and worth. Moreover, he found his pride in Brookfield.
He also developed strange and harmless habits. He became careless about his appearance and his
gown was tattered. He realized that situation in Great Britain was becoming tough and everyone had to
play his role.

6. What was the subject of mimicry throughout the school?

Mr. Chips would stand on the wooden bench by the Big Hall steps wearing a tattered gown which
flapped in the air. He held a board with the school list. As each boy entered, he spoke his own name
and Mr. Chips nodded in response. He had steel rimmed spectacles slipping down the nose, lifted
eyebrows, a gaze half rapt and half quizzical. It was the subject of mimicry throughout the school.

7. What was the idea of Mr. Chips about Boers?

Mr. Chips was neither against Boers nor favoured them. Still he believed that they had an odd similarity
with certain English history-book heroes.

8. Why did Lloyd George enjoy talking to Mr. Chips?

Lloyd George was the Prime Minister of the Great Britain. Mr. Chips met him during his visit to
Brookfield on the speech day. He had also been the student of Mr. Chips. Mr. Chips told him that he
had improved, that is, he had not impressed him as a young man. Lloyd George laughed heartily and
talked to him more than to anyone else.

Appointment of Ralston
1. When did Chips become the Acting Head of Brookfield?
10
In 1900, Mr. Chips became the Acting Head of Brookfield after the death of old head master, Meldrum.
Mr. Chips was appointed by Governors. Soon Ralston was appointed as permanent headmaster.

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2. Who was Ralston?
Mr. Ralston was appointed as new head of Brookfield after death of Meldrum in 1900. He was a young
man of thirty-seven, with a brilliant record in the field of education and sports by winning Firsts and
Blues. He was a live wire and a fine power transmitter. He was efficient, ruthless, ambitious person but
not very likeable. He had an impressive personality that could easily reduce Big Hall to silence.

3. Who was Mr. Jones? What was his duty?

Mr. Jones was a servant in the Railway Department who was on strike. He had the charge of signal box
at the station. Mr. Chips was quite friendly to him. Moreover, the story of Chips talking to him went
round the school.

4. What was the idea of Mr. Chips about England?

Mr. Chips had faith in England, in masses and in Brookfield whose ultimate worth depended on English
scene. He had vision that the days of ease were nearly over for England and a little mistake could result
in ruin.

5. What did Chips remember about the Diamond Jubilee?

Chips remembered that he and Katherine went to London to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of England
and to see procession. They saw the old legendary lady, Queen Victoria sitting like something
crumbling doll in the carriage.

6. What was special about Edwardian Rule?

Edwardian decade was frenzied, ferocious and wild like an electric lamp that goes brighter and whiter
just before it burns itself out.

7. Who was Grayson? What news was spread in school about his father? Whom did Chips condole
with?
Grayson was quiet, nervous boy, who was disturbed mentally because his father had sailed on Titanic
and no news had yet come about his fate. He was very anxious which made him careless, preoccupied
and emotionally disturbed. Finally, the news came that his father was among the few who rescued. He
was then very happy. Many years later, he was died unexpectedly and Mr. Chips condoled with
Grayson’s senior.

Quarrel with Ralston

11
1. What sort of person was Ralston?
Same as Chapter 10 Question 2

2. What was Ralston’s final warning to Mr. Chips?

In 1908, when Chips turned sixty, Ralston’s urbane ultimatum came that Chips should think of his
retirement. Mr. Chips was stunned by his question and he refused to retire.

3. What allegation did Ralston put on Mr. Chips? What did he charge for his pronunciation?
Mr. Ralston put the following allegations on Mr. Chips;
(i) He had not been pulling his weight.
(ii) His methods of teaching were slack and old fashioned.
(iii) His personal habits were slovenly.
(iv) He ignored his instructions.
(v) He was probably a mixture of laziness and obstinacy. All the masters changed their
pronunciation. Mr. Ralston was not convinced with his methods of teaching. But school wanted
new style throughout.
(vi) He lived too much in the past and not enough in the present and future.

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4. What was the idea of Mr. Chips about Ralston’s headship?
Mr. Chips thought that Ralston was running the Brookfield like a factory to turn out snob-culture based
on money and machines and he was uprooting the old polite traditions. Instead of widening the
relationship of poor and rich people he was narrowing them. For instance, the Speech Day Garden
party was like Ascot. But, however, he had doubled the School’s endowment funds by playing tricks on
Stock Exchange.

5. How did people come to know about quarrel between Chips and Ralston?
When Ralston and Chips were quarrelling in the study room, a small boy standing outside the study
room heard the entire dispute and told his friends. Some of his friends told their parents very soon. In a
no time, the news spread in the town like a wild fire.

6. What was the reaction of school masters?

The school masters know that Chips was hopelessly old-fashioned but they rallied round him
nevertheless because they hated Ralston’s slave driving and saw in Mr. Chips a likely champion.
Moreover, the students and parents took it as insult of their most senior teacher.

7. Who was the Chairman of Governors? How did he handle the situation?
Mr. Chips’ student, Sir John Rivers was the chairman of governors. He visited Brookfield and instead of
going towards Ralston, he went direct to Mr. Chips and felt sorry. He assured Mr. Chips to stay as long
as he liked. Chairman favoured Chips and said that Brookfield would not be same without Chips. It was
because Board of governors did not want him to retire.

8. What did Chips think about Ralston years after their quarrel?
After a quarter of century after their quarrel, Chips felt a little sorry for Ralston and broke down.
Particularly when Ralston had been in complete ignorance of the forces he was dealing with and Chips
neither correctly estimated the toughness of Brookfield, its readiness to defend itself and its defenders.

Farewell Speech
1. Who was successor of Ralston? What kind of person was he?
12
Mr. Chatteris was a young man of thirty-four who succeeded Mr. Ralston as the headmaster of the
Brookfield school. He was brilliant, modern, sympathetic and friendly. He knew Chips’ status and
respected him. Moreover, he knew well that Brookfield was deep in traditions and he honoured them.
He was the young man who reemployed Mr. Chips in 1916.

2. Why was 1913 special for Mr. Chips?

In 1913, Chips had bronchitis and was off duty for nearly the whole winter term during which he went to
Germany to spend holidays for cure, as it had a good climate and good water. Moreover, due to this
problem he got retired in July of 1913.

3. What did he say in farewell speech?

At the farewell party, Mr. Chips delivered a very interesting, long and retrospective speech. He recalled
many of the past incidents, quoted several Latin quotations, created fun and made everyone laugh. He
said that the Captain of the school belonged to exaggerating family. He remembered the first bicycle,
the lamp boy who lighted lamps, the hard frost that lasted for seven weeks, German measles that had
turned the school Hall into a hospital, the great bonfire and the tuck shop owner, Mrs. Brool and above
all his students. He had thousand of faces in his mind. Moreover, he also made fun of Ralston by saying
that he pronounced the word “vicissism” as “we kiss him” and wanted to run the Brookfield School like a
factory to produce snob-culture.

4. What were the activities of Mr. Chips after retirement?

Mr. Chips invited old boys to tea, watched matches, dined with the Head and the masters, edited
Brookfield Directory, and wrote articles and read newspapers and detective novels.

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13
Request of Chatteris and
Rejoining of Mr. Chips
1. What happened to Brookfield during the war years?
During the war years in 1915, military camps started springing up near Brookfield. The soldiers used the
playing fields for sports and training. Most of the younger masters either left the school or joined the
army. Moreover, Chatteris read out the names of old boys who were killed in the war, together with
short biographies, on every Sunday night, in the chapel after evening service.

2. What did Chatteris read out on every Sunday night during the war?
During the war, every Sunday night, in the chapel after service, Chatteris read out the names of old
boys who were killed in the war, together with short biographies. Chips thought that for Chatteris those
were only names as he could not remember the faces of those boys.

3. What did Chatteris tell Mr. Chips about the problems of school?
In tragic July of 1916, Chatteris told Mr. Chips of the problems he was facing. He told him that many
teachers were killed in war due to which he was over-worked and over-worried. He was unmarried,
thirty-nine years old, diabetic patient. Moreover, he told that Ralston filled the place with young teachers
which were either leaving the school or joining the army and their substitutes were pretty dreadful, on
the whole. He told Mr. Chips that if things did not improve next term, he would have a breakdown.

4. What request did he make to Chips? Did Mr. Chips accept the offer?
Chatteris requested Mr. Chips to rejoin Brookfield and help him in dealing with the different matters
because Mr. Chips was pretty fit and knew all the ropes and according to Chatteris, he would help to
hold things together if there were any danger of them flying to bits. Mr. Chips was shocked by knowing
the situation of Chatteris. Hence, he sympathized with him and answered, breathlessly and with a holy
joy in his heart: “I’ll come…”

14
World War and Death of
Chatteris
1. What did Chips feel when he rejoined Brookfield? What did he teach there?
Mr. Chips rejoined Brookfield in 1916 but he kept living at Mrs. Wickett’s house. About half past ten, he
use to put on coat and muffler and went to school. He felt very fit. The actual work was not tiring. He felt
very happy. For the first time in life, he felt himself necessary for Brookfield. He had sublime feelings.
Moreover, he taught new forms of Latin and Roman history and even old pronunciation.

2. Why did not Chips want to be official head of Brookfield?

In 1917, he became the acting head of Brookfield after the death of Chatteris. He did not want to be
official head as he felt himself unequal to it. He told Sir John Rivers that he was old and he did not want
the people to expect a lot from him. He considered himself as the news colonels and majors just a
wartime fluke.

3. Who was Max Staefel? What did Chips feel when he announced his name?
Max Staefel was German master. He was in Germany visiting his home when war broke out. He was
popular while he was in Brookfield and made many friends. Mr. Chips announce that those who knew
him would be sorry that he was killed last week on the Western Front. Afterwards, he was a little pale
and felt sad when he sat down.

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4. What was the story that got famous about bayonet-practice?
Once, Mr. Chips was asked about his opinion of bayonet-practice. He said that it seemed to him a very
vulgar way of killing people. The story was much appreciated and got famous as that some big brass
hat from the War Office was told by Chips that bayonet-fighting was vulgar. From this it was clear that
Mr. Chips was not satisfied with changes due to war. He always liked the pre-war days and values. He
liked other nations to work together and mourned the death of Max Staefel. Therefore, he was given an
adjective by the people, “pre-war”.

End of War and

Resignation of Chips
1. What did Chips teach during loud roar of bombing?
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During the air raids and loud roar of bombing, he kept the spirits of the students high by cutting jokes
and keeping them busy in Latin lessons. Some of the students were nervous while few were attentive to
him.

2. Whom did Mr. Chips called a Stink-Merchant?

The pale, leaned and medically unfit Science master, Burrow, was nicknamed as Stink-Merchant
because he used to be busy in the laboratory and bad smell might radiate out of his body. Moreover,
Chips called the scientists Stink-Merchants because they invented bombs and weapons in laboratories.

3. What happened on November 11th, 1918?

World War I was ended on November 11th, 1918. A whole day holiday was declared. The kitchen staff
was asked to provide a large meal. There was much cheering and singing and bread fight. Moreover,
Mr. Chips also decided to resign again as could not come to school for whole winter term. He had
caught cold and cough on the Mafeking night. Hence, he sent his resignation to Board of Governors on
the night of November 11th, 1918.

4. How did Chips keep up the spirit of students during the war?
During the air raids and loud roar of bombing, he kept the spirits of the students high by cutting jokes
and keeping them busy in lessons. Some of the students were nervous while few were attentive to him.
Mr. Chips said to the boys that if it was their fate to die, they should die doing something proper. A boy
named Maynard got ready to construe. During the whole time, Mr. Chips kept up the morale of boys.

Chips Will
1. Why did not Chips go abroad after his retirement?
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Mr. Chips was not ill but he got tired at times and had a breathing difficulty during winter seasons when
east winds began to blow. Hence, he could not go abroad after his retirement. Once, he tried to go
abroad but he had chanced to strike the Riviera during one of its carefully unadvertised cold spells. He
used to say after that he preferred to get chills in his own country. Therefore, he loved summers.

2. What was his idea about England in the postwar decade?

The postwar decade is marked with rattle of changes and disarrangements. Mr. Chips was deeply
disappointed when he looked abroad because there was still war in the few areas on Earth. But he was
happy that Brookfield and the England survived. With the passage of time, the boys of Brookfield
became a bit politer. Bullying did not exist. There were more swearing and cheating. There was real
friendliness between the masters and the boys.

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3. How did Chips earn the reputation of a great jester?
Amazingly Mr. Chips could always see the funny side of the things. Wherever Mr. Chips went and
whatever he said, there was laughter. He had earned the reputation of being a great jester and jets
were expected from him. Whenever he rose to speak at a meeting, or even when he talked across the
table, people prepared their minds and faces for the joke. They listened in a mood to be assumed and it
was easy to satisfy them. They laughed sometimes even before Mr. Chips came to the point.

4. What was Mr. Chips’ will?

In 1930, Mr. Chips made his will. Except for legacies to the mission and to Mrs. Wickett, he left all he
had to found an open entrance scholarship to the Brookfield School. Moreover, Mr. Chips’ income was
more than he needed to spend. Therefore, he gave a lot of money away to people who called on him
with hard luck story, to various School funds and also to the Brookfield mission.

5. What was the joke about Wurlitzer?

A boy named Henderson, asked Mr. Chips that had he been to cinema where films were played on
Wurlitzer. Mr. Chips replied that he thought it must be some kind of sausage.

Last Visitor of Mr. Chips

- Linford
1. What did Merivale say to Chips on a foggy morning in 1933?
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On one afternoon of November 1933, Mr. Chips was sitting in a room at Mrs. Wickett’s house on a
foggy and cold day. He had caught a slight chill during the chapel service on ceasefire day. Dr. Merivale
was present there for usual fortnightly chat. He advised Chips to keep indoors as there was a lot of flu
about. Moreover, he said he wanted to live Mr. Chips’ life for a day or two.

2. What were the things Chips had never done in his life?
There were the things which Chips had never done in his life. For instance he had never travelled by air
and had never been to talky show. It was because his life was limited to Brookfield only.

3. Who was the last visitor of Mr. Chips? What did they talk about?
A small boy, Linford was the last visitor of Mr. Chips. He was from Shropshire and he was the first
member of his family at Brookfield. He had been admitted in the hospital due to measles for a whole
winter term. Linford was sent by senior students which was an old leg-pull. They talked about the
matters of Shropshire, the school, the school life in general and about the news in the paper. Mr. Chips
served him with tea and walnut cake. Moreover, he assured Linford that he would soon be adjusted into
Brookfield. After an hour, Mr. Chips said good-bye to Linford and Linford replied, “Good-Bye Mr. Chips.”

4. Why did Chips start crying when the boy left?

While leaving, Linford said, “Good-Bye Mr. Chips”. These were the words said by Katherine the night
before their marriage. These words revived his past and filled his eyes with tears. And the tears rolled
down his cheeks. He felt tired and fainted and fell unconsciously on the chair behind him.

Death of Mr. Chips

1. Whom did Mr. Chips see around him when he woke up?
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When Mr. Chips came to his senses, he found Dr. Merivale leaning over him and smiling. Moreover, he
saw Mrs. Wickett on the other side of the bed, and in the shadow of Dr. Merivale, he saw Cartwright,
the head of Brookfield since 1918 and old Buffles, commonly called Roddy.

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2. What did Chips say about his children before his death?
Cartwright had said that Chips married but he never had children. At this Chips opened his eyes bitterly
and said that he had thousands of children and they all were boys. All his pupils were his sons. Then he
mentioned the names of few of them and fell asleep.

3. When did Mr. Chips die?

Mr. Chips died at the age of eight-five in November 1933.

4. What did Cartwright say in his speech about Mr. Chips?

In a speech to the Brookfield School, Cartwright, the headmaster, said, “Brookfield will never forget his
lovableness.” It was absurd because everything is forgotten at last.

5. What did Linford remember about Mr. Chips?

Linford will ever remember that he had said good-bye to Chips the night before he died. As Linford was
the last visitor of Chips, he was the last to say good-bye to Mr. Chips which he would remember
proudly.

Vocabulary Words
1. Chips felt very fit, the actual work was not taxing.
(a) Delighting (b) Tiring (c) Amusing (d) Baking
2. Chips said that he would continue as a Head if they refrain to appoint him officially.
(a) Amuse (b) Delight (c) Adjust (d) Avoid
3. From that honour within his reach at last, he shrank instinctively.
(a) Accepted (b) Raced (c) Twisted (d) Drew back
4. There was the shrill whine of anti-aircraft shells.
(a) Danger (b) Destruction (c) Cry (d) Anger
5. Brookfield had his quaintly humorous saying.
(a) Roughly (b) Haply (c) Strangely (d) Minutely
6. In old age Chips realized that the teachers showed less pomposity and the students less unctuousness.
(a) Pride (b) Respect (c) Excellence (d) Wisdom
7. In old age, Chips faculties remained unimpaired.
(a) Harmful (b) Defective (c) Broken (d) Undamaged
8. Linford had an expression of anxious timidity.
(a) Information (b) Awareness (c) Happiness (d) Nervousness
9. Chips begin his usual ritualistic blending of tea.
(a) Beautiful (b) Sorrowful (c) Formal (d) Delightful
10. Chips began a faint and palpitating chuckle.
(a) Sweet (b) Loud (c) Singing (d) Trembling
11. Just as marriage added something, so did bereavement.
(a) Large (b) Narrow (c) Tiny (d) Small
12. Chips had won an uncharted no-man’s land of privilege.
(a) Honour (b) Curse (c) Boredom (d) Tricks
13. Chips wore a tattered grown.
(a) Torn (b) Silky (c) New (d) Precious
14. Brookfield fitted herself into England without disproportion.
(a) Similarity (b) Difference (c) Influence (d) Prestige

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15. The legendary lady was sitting like a crumbing doll.
(a) Common (b) Famous (c) Prostitute (d) Vagabond
16. The legendary lady was sitting like a crumbing doll.
(a) Falling to pieces (b) Roaring (c) Laughing (d) Rising
17. Ralston told Chips that he ignored his instruction, an insubordination.
(a) Obedience (b) Diligence (c) Disobedience (d) Kindness
18. Ralston told Chips that it was his forbearance that he had put up with him so long.
(a) Bear (b) Put on (c) Put out (d) Take off
19. The aims were clenched in deadlock from the sea to Switzerland.
(a) Standstill (b) Freedom (c) Freed (d) Gripped
20. Ralston was ruthless.
(a) Merciful (b) Intelligent (c) Unforgiving (d) Diligent
21. Taking his first class was tremendous ordeal for Chips.
(a) Fun (b) Trial (c) Joy (d) Sport
22. The boys looked like little ruffians.
(a) Worms (b) Babies (c) Angels (d) Rascals
23. Chips assumed a scowl in his first class.
(a) Worry (b) Confidence (c) Frown (d) Fun
24. Chips sat by the fire when the autumn gale rattled the windows.
(a) Open (b) Shut (c) Paint (d) Clang
25. Some snobbish people said that they thought they had heard of Brookfield.
(a) Rich (b) Poor (c) Humble (d) Arrogant
26. Chips was not conceited.
(a) Ambitious (b) Intelligent (c) Proud (d) Humble
27. After staying for a decade at Brookfield, Chips began to find a comfortable niche in his mind.
(a) Intellect (b) Song (c) Exterior (d) Interior
28. Mrs. Wickett’s house was ugly and pretentious.
(a) Capacious (b) Showy (c) Odd (d) Simple
29. Despite assiduous teaching, Chips was not a very profound classical scholar.
(a) Idle (b) Industrious (c) Defective (d) Deficient
30. Chips’ script was thin, spidery but very legible.
(a) Readable (b) Illegible (c) Sloping (d) Fair

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