NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 6 The Browning Version

The Browning Version NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 6

The Browning Version NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

The Browning Version About the Author

Sir Terence Mervyn Rattigan (10 June 1911 – 30 November 1977) was a British dramatist. He was one of England’s most popular mid-twentieth century dramatists. His plays are typically set in an upper-middle-class background.- He wrote ‘The Winslow Boy’, ‘The Browning Version’, ‘The Deep Blue Sea’ and ‘Separate Tables’, among many others.

The Browning Version Main Theme

The Browning Version is an extract from a play by Terence Rattigan. Taplow, a sixteen-year-old student has to meet his teacher Mr Crocker-Harris at 6.30 p.m. in order to make up for some classes he had missed. While he waits for Mr Harris, he meets Frank, a science teacher in the school, and the two get into conversation. Mostly they talk about Mr Crocker-Harris whom Taplow calls ‘Crock’. Mr Crocker-Harris emerges as a strict disciplinarian, who speaks gently even when he is not saying anything pleasing to the students. In spite of his strictness, Taplow likes him and Frank envies him. He is not a sadist like some other teachers. Towards the end of the play, Millie, Crocker-Harris’ wife, enters. She knows about Taplow’s ‘extra work’. She sends him away.

The Browning Version Understanding the text

Question 1.
Comment on the attitude shown by Taplow towards Crocker-Harris.
Answer:
Taplow appears resentful as Crocker-Harris called him on the last day of school to do extra time in lieu of a day of class that he missed. Taplow thinks of Crocker-Harris as a strict disciplinarian who does not break rules. In spite of the punishment that Taplow got, he respects him a lot. He also has fear of Crocker-Harris, somewhere he feels that Crocker has no feelings, but he is surely not a sadist. Deep inside, Taplow has a liking for Crocker-Harris.

Question 2.
Does Frank encourage Taplow’s comments on Crocker-Harris?
Answer:
Somewhere as a teacher, Frank does not discourage Taplow from talking about Crocker-Harris. On the other hand, he does not allow him to become disrespectful. Frank respects the image Crocker- Harris has among students.

Question 3.
What do you gather about Crocker-Harris from the play?
Answer:
Crocker-Harris can be seen from two perspectives. The first is as a teacher and the second is as a human being. As a teacher, Crocker-Harris is a strict disciplinarian. He calls Taplow even on the last day of school to make up for a missed class. Till date, none of his students could miss his lectures. He is an unbiased teacher who believes in given marks according to what a student deserves. He appears strict but is not a sadist.

He is the man of the principles who strictly adheres to the rules. As a human being, he is reserved. He never reveals his emotions in front of students, never allows students to show affection towards him. He has got values and principles. He abides by all the rules. He is a firm and stern human being. Overall, he can be considered disciplined and sincere.

The Browning Version Talking about the text

Discuss with your partners

Question 1.
Talking about teachers among friends.
Answer:
These questions are for discussion in class. The points of discussion can be these—

What is your tone? Respectful? Complaining? Critical? Mocking?
What do you speak about? — His teaching? Relationship with students? Mannerism? Oddities of speech and behaviour?
How often you speak about teachers? All the time? Rarely? Frequently?
Do you talk about all teachers or a selected few?
Do you talk about their personalities ? — manner of dressing, speaking?

Question 2.
The manner you adopt when you talk about a teacher to other teachers.
Answer:
These questions are for discussion in class. The points of discussion can be these—

What is your tone? Respectful? Complaining? Critical? Mocking?
What do you speak about? — His teaching? Relationship with students? Mannerisms? Oddities of speech and behaviour?
How often you speak about teachers? All the time? Rarely? Frequently?
Do you talk about all teachers or a selected few?
Do you talk about their personalities? – manner of dressing, speaking?

Question 3.
Reading plays is more interesting than studying science.
Answer:
Reading Plays:

imaginative
ideas about human life and behaviour
good language
enjoyment

Reading Science:

get knowledge, facts
modern in approach
practical, useful in daily life
future growth is possible

Working with words

A sadist is a person who gets pleasure from giving pain to others.

Given below are some dictionary definitions of certain kinds of persons. Find out the words that fit these descriptions.

Question 1.
A person who considers it very important that things should be correct or genuine, e.g. in the use of language or in the arts: P…
Answer:
Perfectionist

Question 2.
A person who believes that war and violence are wrong and will not fight in a war: P…
Answer:
Pacifist

Question 3.
A person who believes that nothing really exists: N…
Answer:
Nihilist

Question 4.
A person who is always hopeful and expects the best in all things: O…
Answer:
Optimist

Question 5.
A person who follows generally accepted norms of behaviour: C…
Answer:
Conformist

Question 6.
A person who believes that material possessions are all that matter in life: M…
Answer:
Materialist

The Browning Version Things to do

Question 1.
Based on the text, enact your own version of the play. Work in pairs.
Answer:
Act out the play.