Summary: The Browning Version | English Class 11 PDF Download

Key Points of the Story

• This is a play which highlights the attitude of teenage students towards his teacher. 
• Moreover, his remarks are awful because they are very close to reality. 
• He mimics the voice of Mr Crocker-Harris. 
• And call the man practically inhuman. 
• He is extremely fearful of his teacher. 
• Moreover, his promotion depends upon the quirk or goodwill of his teacher. 
• However, he opens up when the other science teacher encourages him to do so. 
• Further, the teenager hates Greek play because he does not like the teacher’s method of teaching. 
• Besides, in order to make them like him, Mr Crocker-Harris seems to hate people. 
• In addition, this description of a teacher is damaging. 
• And ultimately, it reflects the hopeless quality of teachers.

Detailed Summary

In the course of their conversation, Frank learns that Taplow is eagerly awaiting his exam results, which haven't been distributed yet. The young boy aspires to excel in science and hopes for a favorable outcome. However, Mr. Crocker-Harris doesn't personally reveal the results; instead, he asks the headmaster to announce them on the last day of the term.
Their conversation provides insight into Taplow's mindset. He confides in Frank about his strong dislike for the play "Agamemnon." He acknowledges that the play isn't terrible but expresses his preference for science. Taplow also criticizes the way Mr. Harris teaches the play, finding it quite disagreeable.
Taplow and Frank have to do extra work because Taplow missed a class a week ago. Frank suggests that Taplow will receive his "remove" for this additional work, but Taplow disagrees. He feels that Mr. Crocker-Harris doesn't adhere to the usual rules, and he's not a fan of giving students extra work.
According to Taplow, Mr. Harris is unlike other teachers. He is strict and lacks empathy. Additionally, he keeps students in suspense by not revealing their results until judgment day. When Taplow inquires about his "remove," Mr. Crocker-Harris's response is, "No less; and certainly no more."
Frank notices that Mr. Crocker-Harris is running ten minutes late and suggests that Taplow could leave and play golf. However, Taplow is shocked by this suggestion, fearing that Mr. Crocker-Harris might follow him home.
Frank admires the influence Mr. Harris has on his students and asks Taplow if Mr. Harris physically punishes them. Taplow clarifies that Mr. Harris is not a sadist and wouldn't resort to beating students to vent his frustrations.
Despite the complexities of their relationship, Taplow expresses his liking for Mr. Harris. He recounts an incident when he laughed at a classical joke made by Mr. Harris, even though he didn't fully understand it.
At this point, Millie Crocker-Harris, Mr. Crocker-Harris's wife, enters the room. She advises Taplow to leave for a quarter of an hour and return later since Mr. Harris has been with the Bursar and might take some time. Taplow is puzzled by Mrs. Harris's behavior but is reluctant to leave, fearing disobedience towards the teacher he dreads.
Mrs. Harris assures Taplow that she will take responsibility for his absence and offers an excuse for him. She hands him a prescription and asks him to have it filled by a chemist for Mr. Harris. Taplow agrees to the proposal and leaves Frank and Mrs. Harris behind.

Conclusion

Difficult Words

• Version–a statement,
• remove – promotion, 
• slackers–shirkers, 
• muck – dirt, rubbish; 
• kept in-made to overstay by the teacher; 
• got carried away–too much excited to keep oneself in check; 
• cut – run away, avoid; 
• sadist –a person who takes pleasure out of giving pain to somebody;
• shrivelled-up–shrunken, 
• excerpt–extract, 
• extra – additional, 
• specialise–gain speciality, 
• criterion – yardstick, 
• protestingly–disagreeing,
• The Agamemnon-a play by a Greek writer, 
• indicating–pointing to; 
• strung–threaded, joined, 
• kept in–made to overstay for some reason,
• For good–for ever, permanently, 
• masters–teachers, 
• outright–straightaway, 
• imitating–copying, 
• human–kind-hearted,
• gone too far-said too much, 
• got carried away-too excited to stay within limit 
• evidently–clearly, 
• severe–strict, harsh, 
• cut–get away, 
• lock–up–closure of the school, 
• probable–perhaps, 
• envy–feel jealous, 
• form–class, 
• scared–afraid, 
• sadist–one who gets pleasure out of giving pain to others,
• pause–short silence or gap in speech, 
• frightening–one who creates fear, 
• shrivelled up–shrunken, 
• Shrivel – contract, 
• exaggerating–overstating the facts, 
• classical – (here) wonderful, very old, 
• politeness – gentle feeling, 
• confess–admit, 
• advance–Improvement, 
• general run –common wives of teachers; 
• cape – cloak, sleeveless loose fitting garment, 
• screen–curtain, 
• infinitely – greatly, 
• relieved–relaxed, 
• frantically–nervously, 
• goes–I lose,
• particularly–especially, 
• prescription–a physician’s slip of medicine,