6.The Browning Version

Lesson-6

The Browning Version

By Terence Rattigan

The Browning Version Introduction

This chapter is a brief excerpt from Terence Rattigan's play "The Browning Version." It is a one-act play set in a school with three characters: Taplow, Frank, and Mr. Crocker – Harris. Mr. Crocker-Harris is a middle-aged schoolmaster, Taplow is a sixteen-year-old student, Frank is a young teacher. Taplow has arrived at school to assist Mr. Crocker Harris with some extra work. While Taplow waits for Mr. Harris, he meets Frank and they have a conversation. Later, Millie, Mrs.Crocker-Harris, enters and talks with Taplow.

The Browning Version Summary

The scene takes place in a school, where Taplow arrives to do extra work for Mr. Crocker-Harris on the last day because he was absent the day before. He comes across Frank, a science teacher at the school. Frank asked him his name and the reason for his visit that day. Taplow is in the lower fifth grade and is about to receive his report card from his teacher, Mr. Harris. Mr. Crocker-Harris usually announces the results on the last day of school, and unlike every other teacher, he strictly adheres to the rules and regulations.

They began a conversation in which Frank asked him several questions. We don't see Mr. Crocker-Harris throughout the chapter, but we learn a lot about him. Taplow wants to study science as a hobby because he finds the subject fascinating. Frank, on the other hand, is dissatisfied with what he teaches at school. Mr. Croker-Harris is "barely human" because he never shrivels up. Taplow was told that he would get what he deserved. He is tense because there is nothing less or more. Taplow impersonates Mr. Harris twice more in front of Frank. Franks admits that he envies Mr. Crocker-Harris's influence over them. Taplow told him that unlike other teachers, he never shows his emotions and never beats them up like other masters. He is not a sadist.

Millie walks in, carrying a shopping bag, and interrupts their conversation. She asked Taplow to go out and return in a quarter-hour because Mr. Crocker-Harris would be late. If her husband arrives earlier, she will be held accountable. She also gives him a prescription and instructs him to go to the chemist and get her medications. Taplow follows and goes away to complete the task.

The Browning Version Lesson Explanation

This is an excerpt from The Browning Version*. The scene is set in a school. Frank is young and Crocker-Harris, middle-aged. Both are masters. Taplow is a boy of sixteen who has come in to do extra work for Crocker-Harris. But the latter has not yet arrived, and Frank finds Taplow waiting.

FRANK: Do I know you?

TAPLOW: No, sir.

FRANK: What’s your name?

TAPLOW: Taplow.

FRANK: Taplow! No, I don’t. You’re not a scientist I gather?

TAPLOW: No, sir, I’m still in the lower fifth. I can’t specialise until next term — that’s to say, if I’ve got my remove all right.

FRANK: Don’t you know if you’ve got your remove?

TAPLOW: No sir, Mr Crocker-Harris doesn’t tell us the results like the other masters.

• Excerpt – a short extract from writing, movie or music
• Latter – denoting the second-mentioned person of the two people
• Remove – a division in British schools

The scene is a brief excerpt from the play 'The Browning Version.' Taplow, a sixteen-year-old boy, arrives at school to do extra work for his teacher, Mr. Crocker-Harris. While waiting for Mr. Harris, he meets another teacher, Frank, and strikes up a conversation with him. Frank is yet another young teacher at that school. Mr. Crocker Harris is in his middle age.

Frank met Taplow and asked about his name and the class he is enrolled in. Taplow responds, telling that he is in the lower fifth standard and that he cannot specialise until he gets his division (remove). When Frank asked whether he had received the removal, Taplow replied that his master (Mr. Crocker – Harris) does not reveal such information like other masters.

FRANK: Why not?

TAPLOW: Well, you know what he’s like, sir.

FRANK: I believe there is a rule that form results should only be announced by the headmaster on the last day of term.

TAPLOW: Yes — but who else pays attention to it — except Mr Crocker-Harris?

FRANK: I don’t, I admit — but that’s no criterion. So you’ve got to wait until tomorrow to know your fate, have you?

TAPLOW: Yes, sir.

• Criterion – a standard by which something is judged

Frank asked as to why Mr. Crocker-Harris does not reveal the remove earlier, as other masters do. Taplow tells him that he is already aware of Mr. Harris's characteristic. Frank believes there is a rule requiring the form result to be revealed on the last day of the term. Taplow agrees and tells him that Mr. Harris takes it very seriously. Frank admits that he doesn't follow it, but Taplow agrees that he should wait until tomorrow to know his results.

FRANK: Supposing the answer is favorable — what then?

TAPLOW: Oh — science, sir, of course.

FRANK: (sadly) Yes. We get all the slackers.

TAPLOW: (protestingly) I’m extremely interested in science, sir.

FRANK: Are you? I’m not. Not, at least, in the science I have to teach.

TAPLOW: Well, anyway, sir, it’s a good deal more exciting than this muck (indicating his book).

FRANK: What is this muck?

TAPLOW: Aeschylus, sir. The Agamemnon.

FRANK: And your considered view is that the Agamemnon is muck?

TAPLOW: Well, no, sir. I don’t think the play is muck — exactly. I suppose, in a way, it’s rather a good plot, really, a wife murdering her husband and all that. I only meant the way it’s taught to us — just a lot of Greek words strung together and fifty lines if you get them wrong.

• Slackers – lazy students who are not motivated
• Muck – useless; which is of no good or use
• Aeschylus – he was an ancient Greek tragedian who is referred to as ‘Father of Tragedy’
• Agamemnon – he was the king of Mycenae in Greek mythology
• Strung together – to combine two different things into something useful

Frank inquires of Taplow as to which removal he wishes to pursue further, and he responds, "Science." Frank tells him that they have some lazy science students, to which Taplow responds that he is interested in the subject, which is why he wants to take it. Frank tells him that he is uninterested in Science, which he is required to teach at school. Taplow believes that the subject Frank teaches is still superior to the book he is currently reading. When Taplow is asked about the book, he tells him about the author and the title – Aeschylus (Author) and The Agamemnon (Book). Taplow expands on his thoughts on 'The Agamemnon.' He thinks the plot is good, but the way those Greek words are taught to them in combination is useless.

FRANK: You sound a little bitter, Taplow.

TAPLOW: I am rather, sir.

FRANK: Kept in, eh?

TAPLOW: No, sir. Extra work.

FRANK: Extra work — on the last day of school?

TAPLOW: Yes, sir, and I might be playing golf. You’d think he’d have enough to do anyway himself, considering he’s leaving tomorrow for good — but oh no, I missed a day last week when I was ill — so here I am — and look at the weather, sir.

FRANK: Bad luck. Still there’s one comfort. You’re pretty well certain to get your remove tomorrow for being a good boy in taking extra work.

TAPLOW: Well, I’m not so sure, sir. That would be true of the ordinary masters, all right. They just wouldn’t dare not to give a chap a remove after his taking extra work. But those sort of rules don’t apply to the Crock — Mr Crocker-Harris. I asked him yesterday outright if he’d given me a remove and do you know what he said, sir?

• Kept in – to make someone stay in a place, especially in school as a punishment
• Chap – a man who you know and like

When Frank hears him criticising the book, he tells him, "You sound a little bitter about Mr. Crocker – Harris." Frank then asks Taplow if he is staying at school as a punishment, to which Taplow responds that he is there on the last day of the term due to extra work. He was sick last week, so he missed a day of work, which he is now making up for by doing extra work. He goes on to say that he believes Mr. Harris has extra work because he is leaving for good tomorrow. Harris didn't have any extra work, but he had to come to school despite the beautiful weather. He also mentions that he wished to play golf at the moment.

Frank consoles him by telling him that he will be remove tomorrow as a result of the extra work he is doing for Mr. Harris. Taplow is unsure and tells him that while this may work for other teachers, Mr. Harris is different. He does not give a student a remove for doing extra work. Taplow also asked about Mr. Harris's removal, to which the master responded in an astonishing way.

FRANK: No. What?

TAPLOW: (imitating a very gentle, rather throaty voice) “My dear Taplow, I have given you exactly what you deserve. No less; and certainly no more.” Do you know sir, I think he may have marked me down, rather than up, for taking extra work. I mean, the man’s hardly human. (He breaks off quickly.) Sorry, sir. Have I gone too far?

FRANK: Yes. Much too far.

TAPLOW: Sorry, sir. I got carried away.

FRANK: Evidently. (He picks up a newspaper and opens it) — Er Taplow.

TAPLOW: Yes, sir?

FRANK: What was that Crocker-Harris said to you? Just — er — repeat it, would you?

TAPLOW: (imitating again) “My dear Taplow, I have given you exactly what you deserve. No less; and certainly no more.”

FRANK: (looking severe) Not in the least like him. Read your nice Aeschylus and be quiet.

TAPLOW: (with dislike) Aeschylus.

• Got carried away – to become overly excited or to take things too far
• Imitating – copying

Frank asks him what Mr. Harris told him about his removal when he was questioned about it. Taplow imitates Mr. Crocker-Harris and tells him exactly how his master responded. Mr. Harris assured him that he would receive exactly what he deserved, nothing less and nothing more. Taplow believes he may have marked him down for doing extra work because he lacks human feelings. Then he realises he has said too much and apologises to Frank. When Frank asked him to repeat what he had just said about Mr. Harris, he began imitating him once more. Frank tells him that his imitation does not come close to Mr. Harris's way of saying things and that he should read his book.

FRANK: Look, what time did Mr Crocker-Harris tell you to be here?

TAPLOW: Six-thirty, sir.

FRANK: Well, he’s ten minutes late. Why don’t you cut? You could still play golf before lock-up. TAPLOW: (really shocked) Oh, no, I couldn’t cut. Cut the Crock — Mr Crocker-Harris? I shouldn’t think it’s ever been done in the whole time he’s been here. God knows what would happen if I did. He’d probably follow me home, or something …

FRANK: I must admit I envy him the effect he seems to have on you boys in the form. You all seem scared to death of him. What does he do — beat you all, or something?

TAPLOW: Good Lord, no. He’s not a sadist, like one or two of the others.

FRANK: I beg your pardon?

TAPLOW: A sadist, sir, is someone who gets pleasure out of giving pain.

FRANK: Indeed? But I think you went on to say that some other masters …

• Cut – stop doing something undesirable
• Envy – Jealousy
• Sadist – a person who derives pleasure by giving pain or humiliation to others
• Pardon – the action of being forgiven for error or offense; forgiveness
• Indeed – Truly

Frank asks as to what time Mr. Harris summoned him to school. Taplow gave him a six-thirty. Frank suggests that he go play golf for a few minutes because he will be ten minutes late. Taplow refuses because he is afraid of what will happen if he appears in his absence and follows him home. Frank admits that he is envious of Mr. Harris because of the effect he has on all of the boys in the form. He asks Taplow if Harris has ever beaten students, to which Taplow responds that no, he is not someone who derives pleasure from hurting others, and that there are only one or two other teachers like him. Frank asks him to be more specific, and he explains what a sadist is. Frank asked as to what he was saying about the other masters.

TAPLOW: Well, of course, they are, sir. I won’t mention names, but you know them as well as I do. Of course I know most masters think we boys don’t understand a thing — but, sir, you’re different. You’re young — well, comparatively, anyway — and you’re science. You must know what sadism is.

FRANK: (after a pause) Good Lord! What are our schools coming to?

TAPLOW: Anyway, the Crock isn’t a sadist. That’s what I’m saying. He wouldn’t be so frightening if he were — because at least it would show he had some feelings. But he hasn’t. He’s all shrivelled up inside like a nut and he seems to hate people to like him. It’s funny, that. I don’t know any other master who doesn’t like being liked —

FRANK: And I don’t know any boy who doesn’t use that for his own purposes.

TAPLOW: Well, it’s natural sir. But not with the Crock —

FRANK: Mr Crocker-Harris.

TAPLOW: Mr Crocker-Harris. The funny thing is that in spite of everything, I do rather like him. I can’t help it. And sometimes I think he sees it and that seems to shrivel him up even more —

FRANK: I’m sure you’re exaggerating.

• Shrivelled up – having no feelings
• Exaggerating – represent something as being worse than it really is

Taplow explains to him that there are many teachers in the school whose names he will not take because they are sadists. They believe that the boys don't understand a thing. But Frank is different from them in that he is young, comes from a scientific background, and must be familiar with sadism.

Frank, in an unexpected tone, exclaims about the condition of schools. Taplow continues to rant about Mr. Harris. Mr. Crocker- Harris, he says, is not a sadist, but he has no feelings. He is the type of person who may dislike it when others like him. He goes on to say that he is unaware of any master there who does not enjoy being liked. Frank mocks him, saying that he has never seen a student use this quality for his own benefit. Taplow agrees and refers to Mr. Harris as 'Crock,' which Frank corrects by saying his full name.

Taplow corrects himself and admits that he still likes him and can't stop himself. When Mr. Harris notices it, he wrinkles even more, to which Frank responds that he must be exaggerating.

TAPLOW: No, sir. I’m not. In form the other day he made one of his classical jokes. Of course nobody laughed because nobody understood it, myself included. Still, I knew he’d meant it as funny, so I laughed. Out of ordinary common politeness, and feeling a bit sorry for him for having made a poor joke. Now I can’t remember what the joke was, but suppose I make it. Now you laugh, sir. (Frank laughs.)

TAPLOW: (in a gentle, throaty voice) “Taplow — you laughed at my little joke, I noticed. I must confess that I am pleased at the advance your Latin has made since you so readily have understood what the rest of the form did not. Perhaps, now, you would be good enough to explain it to them, so that they too can share your pleasure”.

The door up right is pushed open and Millie Crocker-Harris enters. She is a thin woman in her late thirties, rather more smartly dressed than the general run of schoolmasters’ wives. She is wearing a cape and carries a shopping basket. She closes the door and then stands by the screen watching Taplow and Frank. It is a few seconds before they notice her.

Taplow goes on to say that one day, Mr. Crocker- Harris told one of his classic jokes and no one laughed. He knew the joke was meant to be funny, but he laughed anyway because he wanted to be polite and feel sorry for him for making such bad jokes. He can't remember what the joke was, so he asked Frank to imagine he told him a joke right away and asked him to laugh.

He imitated his teacher once more and told Frank how he reacted when he laughed at his joke. Mr. Crocker-Harris asked him to explain the joke to the rest of the class because he was the only one who laughed in class.

As he was saying this, the door to the classroom opened and Millie, Mr. Crocker-Harris's wife, entered. She was a slim woman who dressed better than the rest of the Schoolmaster's wives. She was dressed in a cape and carrying a shopping basket. She walked in, shut the door, and stood next to the screen, watching both of them talk. After a few seconds, they noticed her.

FRANK: Come along, Taplow (moves slowly above the desk). Do not be so selfish as to keep a good joke to yourself. Tell the others… (He breaks off suddenly, noticing Millie.) Oh Lord!

Frank turns quickly, and seems infinitely relieved at seeing Millie.

FRANK: Oh, hullo.

MILLIE: (without expression) Hullo. (She comes down to the sideboard and puts her basket on it.)

TAPLOW: (moving up to left of Frank; whispering frantically) Do you think she heard?

FRANK: (shakes his head comfortingly. Millie takes off her cape and hangs it on the hall-stand.) I think she did. She was standing there quite a time.

TAPLOW: If she did and she tells him, there goes my remove.

FRANK: Nonsense. (He crosses to the fireplace.)

• Infinitely – to a great extent
• Frantically – desperately

Frank was joking about telling the joke to others when he noticed Millie and abruptly stopped talking. He turned around, relieved to see her there, and greeted her. She said hello without looking up and placed her basket on the sideboard. Taplow, in a desperate tone, asked Frank if she had heared any of their conversation. Frank assumed she did because she had been standing there for quite some time. Millie removed her cape and hung it on the hall-stand. Taplow says in a worried tone that if she did hear them, he will not get his removal, and Frank tells him not to think too hard about it. Frank walks across the fireplace.

Millie takes the basket from the sideboard, moves above the table and puts the basket on it.

MILLIE: (to Taplow) Waiting for my husband?

TAPLOW: (moving down left of the table) Er-yes.

MILLIE: He’s at the Bursar’s and might be there quite a time. If I were you I’d go.

TAPLOW: (doubtfully) He said most particularly I was to come.

MILLIE: Well, why don’t you run away for a quarter of an hour and come back? (She unpacks some things from the basket.)

TAPLOW: Supposing he gets here before me?

MILLIE: (smiling) I’ll take the blame. (She takes a prescription out of the basket.) I tell you what — you can do a job for him. Take this prescription to the chemist and get it made up.

TAPLOW: All right, Mrs Crocker-Harris. (He crosses towards the door up right.)

Millie takes the basket off the sideboard and places it on the table. Taplow responds yes when she asks if he is waiting for his husband. She tells him that he is at the Bursar's and that it may take some time. If she had been in his place, she might have left. Taplow responds that he promised to come. As Millie unpacks the items of the basket, she suggests that he go for a quarter-hour and then return to check on him. Taplow asks her what will happen if Mr. Harris returns before him. Millie assures him that she will accept responsibility for this and pulls a prescription from the basket. She hands it over to him and asks him to bring her medicines from the chemist. He agrees and walks straight through the door.

About the Author

Terence Mervyn Rattigan was born on June 10, 1911, in London, the son of a career diplomat and serial philanderer whose indiscretions resulted in his cashiered by the Foreign Office. Rattigan received a first-rate education at Harrow and Trinity College, Oxford as a member of the lower upper-middle class during the inter-war period. His privileged, intellectual upbringing is reflected in his plays. He was one of England's leading playwrights for a decade after WWII, but the emergence of the "kitchen-sink" school of English drama in the mid-1950s ruined his critical reputation.