Glorious English Notes

Glorious English Notes

MR. CHIPS
For

INTER PART II

Prepared by:
IFTIKHAR AHMAD TARAR
(M.Phil Linguistics)

(Lecturer in English Superior College Sambrial)

03349395715

Prepared By: Iftikhar Ahmad Tarar (M. Phil Linguistics)0334-9395715,0301-6220876 1

 Glorious English Notes

Mr. Chips
Q#1. How did Mr. Chips measure his time when he lived at Mrs. Wickett’s house?

Ans: Like an old sea captain, Mr. Chips measured his time by the signals of the past. He lived his life according
to the bells of Brookfield.

Q#2. What did Chips do after the last bell of Brookfield when he lived at Mrs. Wickett’s House?

Ans: After the last bell of Brookfield, Chips wound up the clock, put the wire guard in front of the fire, turned
out the gas and carried a detective novel to bed.

Q#3. What was the name of Chips’ doctor and how often did he visit Chips? Or What did doctor
Merivale say about Chips’ health? Or Write a brief note on Mr. Merivale.

Ans: Mr. Merivale was Chips’ doctor. He visited Chips every fortnight or so. He would often say that Chips
was fitter than he. He called Chips a remarkable old boy. He said that Chips had got no disease except old age.
He said that Chips would die a natural death.

Q#4. For how much time did Chips work at Melbury School and why did he not like it?

Ans: Chips worked at Melbury School for a year. He did not like it because he had been a bit tired and anxious
there. His discipline was not good there.

Q#5. What kind of fellow was Mr. Wetherby? Or Who was the headmaster of Brookfield, when Chips
joined it? Or when did Wetherby die?

Ans: Wetherby was the headmaster of Brookfield in 1870. He was ill then when Chips joined it. He liked and
respected Chips. He was very gentle and cooperative. He had vivid eyes. He died during the summer vacation
in 1870.

Q#6. How did Mr. Wetherby advise Chips on the day of his interview at Brookfield?

Ans: He asked Chips to give his zeal of youth to Brookfield and it would give him something in return. He
asked him not to allow anyone to play tricks with him. He asked him to take up firm attitude to keep discipline.

Q#7. Describe the atmosphere in the Hall when Chips took his first class?

Ans: There was a sudden silence when Mr. Chips entered the class room. The wall clock was ticking behind
him. There was smell of ink and varnish.

Q#8. How did Chips enjoy sleep?

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 Glorious English Notes
Ans: Chips used to enjoy sound and calm sleep. Sleep came to him swiftly and peacefully. His days and nights
were equally full of dreaming.

Q#9. How did Chips face his first class at Brookfield?

Ans: The big hall was full of five hundred wicked boys. The students in the first class of Mr. Chips were like
lusty barbarians and unprincipled ruffians. Teasing new teachers was a fine art, an exciting sport and something
of a tradition to them.

Q#10. What mischief was made in the very first class of Chips at Brookfield and who made it? Or Who
was Colley?

Ans: Colley was the first student at Brookfield whom Mr. Chips punished during his first class. He tried to
create disturbance in the class by dropping the desk lid. Mr. Chips punished him by giving him a hundred lines.

Q#11. What is the most interesting incident of the Novel? Or What did Chips see while climbing on Great
Gable? Or Describe the first meeting of Katherine with Mr. Chips. How did Chips meet Katherine first
time?

Ans: One day, climbing on Great Gable, Chips saw a girl on a dangerous rock. He thought that she was in
trouble. He ran to help her. But he slipped and wrenched his ankle. The girl came to help him. During this
period they fell in love with each other and finally married. This is the most interesting incident of the novel.

Q#12. Write a note on Brookfield. Or What was the reputation of Brookfield school?

Ans: Brookfield School was not famous as Harrow. It was a good school of second rank. It was established in
the reign of Queen Elizabeth. It consisted of a group of eighteenth century building.

Q#13. When was the structure of the building of Brookfield rebuilt and extended?

Ans: The main structure of the building of Brookfield was rebuilt and extended during the reign of George-1 in
early 18th century.

Q#14. What kind of people did Brookfield supply?

Ans: It produced a large number of the history-making men of the age like judges, members of parliament,
colonial administrators, peers, bishops, merchants, manufacturers, squires and parsons. These people glorified
England when they stepped into the professional life.

Q#15. Was Chips an ambitious teacher?

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 Glorious English Notes
Ans: Chips was not an ambitious teacher. In his early twenties, he wanted to get a headship or a senior
mastership. It was after many repeated failures that he realized the unfitness of his qualifications.

Q#16. When did Chips retire and what was presented to him on the day of his retirement?

Ans: Mr. Chips retired in 1913 at the age of sixty-five. At the time of retirement, he was presented with a
cheque, a writing desk and a clock. And a decent career was decently closed. He left Brookfield in the uproar of
cheers.

Q#17. What was the social and academic status of Chips?

Ans: The social and academic status of Mr. Chips fell under the category of respect and honor but in
comparison to Brookfield, he was not brilliant than Brookfield. If Brookfield had been a school of high position,
perhaps it would not have taken Chips.

Q#18. What was Chips’ status at Brookfield at sixty?

Ans: At sixty, he was Brookfield in his person. He was the guest of honor at old Brookfieldian dinners. He was
the court of appeal in all those matters that affected the history and tradition of Brookfield.

Q#19. Did Brookfield enjoy a good repute?

Ans: Brookfield could never become a first rate school. It could not gain the popularity of Eton and Harrow.
There had been rise and fall in its luck. However, it remained a good school of the second rank.

Q#20. What kind of books did Chips have in his room?

Ans: Mr. Chips had a good collection of books. The books were chiefly classical. There were a few books of
history and belles-letter. There was also a pile of cheap edition of detective novels.

Q#21. How was Chips’ room decorated at Mrs. Wickett’s house?

Ans: Mrs. Wickett’s house itself was not good looking. But she had given Mr. Chips a comfortable and sunny
room. His room was furnished simply and with school masterly taste. There were a few bookshelves, a
mantelpiece, easy- chairs and some pictures.

Q#22. What was the condition of Mrs. Wickett’s house?

Ans: The house itself was ugly and affected but comfortable. It was situated near Brookfield. This was good for
Chips.

Q#23. With what did Chips serve the boys?

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 Glorious English Notes
Ans: He served the boys with walnut-cake and tea. During winter, he served the boys with crumpets, soaked in
butter. He made sure that their plates were never empty.

Q#25. Why did Chips punish Major Collingwood? Or Who was Major Collingwood?

Ans: Major Collingwood was the uncle of Branksome. Mr. Chips punished him for climbing on the roof of
gymnasium to get a ball out of the gutter. He had been a bit rude to Mrs. Wickett. Later he was killed in Egypt.

Q#26. What were the quiet enjoyments of Mr. Chips at Mrs. Wickett’s house? Or What were the
activities of Chips after his retirement?

Ans: Reading, talking, remembering, drinking tea, receiving visitors, correcting the next edition of the
Brookfieldian Directory and writing his occasional letters were the quiet enjoyments of Chips.

Q#27. What job did Mrs. Wickett do at Brookfield?

Ans: Mrs. Wickett was the land lady of the house where Mr. Chips lived after his retirement. She had served
Brookfield as In-charge of the linen room. She was very kind, loving and caring lady who took care of Mr.
Chips.

Q#28. What subject did Chips teach and how did he teach them?

Ans: Chips taught Latin, Greek and Roman history. He taught these subjects with old methods and
pronunciation.

Q#29. How did Chips feel in the company of women?

Ans: Mr. Chips did not care for women. He never felt at ease with them. He considered the new woman of the
nineties such a monstrous creature that filled him with horror. That is why he did not marry till the age of forty
eight.

Q#30. How did Katherine Bridges look?

Ans: Katherine possessed a charming personality. She had blue flashing eyes and freckled cheeks and smooth
straw- colored hair. She looked very attractive.

Q#30. What did Katherine think about women’s right? Or What were the ideas of Katherine? What
were the political views of Katherine?

Ans: Katherine was a modern girl. In politics, she had radical views and ideas. She had read Ibsen, Morris and
Bernard Shah. She believed that women ought to be admitted to the universities. She even thought that they
ought to have a vote.
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 Glorious English Notes
Q#31. Why did Chips not like Bernard Shaw and Ibsen and cycling?

Ans: Chips was a conventional person. He did not like Bernard Shaw and Ibsen for their disturbing plays. He
did not like women taking up bicycling because he was against the freedom of women.

Q#32. Why did Katherine begin to like Chips?

Ans: She began to like Chips because he had gentle and quiet manners. She liked his honest views though they
were out-dated. She also liked his brown charming, eyes.

Q#33. What was the profession of Katherine?

Ans: She was a governess out of job. But she had already saved a little money.

Q#34. Why did Katherine visit Chips on her bicycle?

Ans: Katherine visited Chips on her bicycle, nursed him and provided him medicine that he needed. Because
she considered herself responsible for Chips’ accident.

Q#35. Where and with whom did Chips go during the summer vacation of 1896?

Ans: Chips went to Lake District with his colleague Rowden in the spring of 1896. They walked and climbed
there for a week. Later on Rowden had to return on some family business.
Q#36. What did Katherine say to Chips on the night before wedding?

Ans: She said that she felt like a new boy beginning his first term with Chips. She asked if she should call him
‘Sir’ or ‘Mr. Chips’. She said, ‘Mr. Chips’ would be right. Then she said, “Good-Bye Mr. Chips”.

Q#37. Where was Katherine married from?

Ans: She had no parents. She was married from the house of an aunt in Ealing.

Q#38. Was Katherine pleased with Chips being a teacher?

Ans: She enjoyed living among the boys. She was happy that Chips was a teacher and not a lawyer or a big
businessman. She liked teaching profession.

Q#39. Describe the quarrel between Ralston and Chips?

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 Glorious English Notes
Ans: One day, Ralston asked Chips to retire. He said that Chips’ methods of teaching were slack and old-
fashioned. His habits were slovenly. He disobeyed him. His pronunciation was wrong. He was slack and
obstinate. Chips flamed up to hear this. He refused to retire.

Q#40. Write a note on Chips’ humor?

Ans: Chips had a keen sense of humor. He amused people with his little witty jokes. Everybody waited for his
new joke. His humor was harmless.

Q#41. What kind of fellow was Mr. Chips before marriage?

Ans: Before marriage, he had been a dry and natural sort of person. He was liked in general in Brookfield but
he had nothing to be popular and loved.

Q#42. How much popular was Katherine in Brookfield? Or She conquered Brookfield as she had
conquered Mr. Chips. What does it mean?

Ans: Katherine was very simple, lovely, and charming, young lady. She was very popular with boys and
masters alike. She won Brookfield as she had won Chips.

Q#43. What changes did Katherine bring in Chips? Or What influence did Katherine Bridges exercise on
Chips?

Ans: Before marriage, Chips was a dry person. She made him affectionate and kind. She made him a new man.
His eyes gained sparkle. His humor became rich and mature. He began to feel strong. His discipline improved.
He became popular.

Q#44. What was the April foolery Chips faced?

Ans: On 1st April 1898, while he was staying at his desk, someone said that there were letters for him. He
opened them one by one. All the letters contained a blank sheet of paper. He thought that it was strange.

Q#45. How did Katherine urge Chips to forgive the students for their mistakes?

Ans: She urged Chips to give them a chance. She asked him to talk to them and they would be all right. She
asked him to tell them that they would be punished if they repeated the mistake.

Q#46. When did Chips become the acting head of Brookfield?

Ans: Meldrum had succeeded Wetherby as Head and held the office for thirty years. In 1900, he died suddenly
from Pneumonia and Chips became the Acting Head of Brookfield.

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 Glorious English Notes
Q#47. What sort of person was Ralston? Or How did Ralston look?

Ans: He was ruthless, ambitious, energetic and a fine power-transmitter. He was a young man of thirty-seven.
He had a personality that could reduce the Big Hall to silence by the mere lifting of an eyebrow.

Q#48. Describe the quarrel between Ralston and Chips?

Ans: One day, Ralston asked Chips to retire. He said that Chips’ method of teaching was slack and old-
fashioned. His habits were slovenly. He disobeyed him. His pronunciation was wrong. He was slack and
obstinate. Chips flamed up to hear this. He refused to retire

Q#49. How did people come to know about the quarrel between Ralston and Chips?

Ans: A small boy, who was waiting outside to see Ralston, heard the entire row between the two. He told his
friends about it and the boys conveyed the news to their parents. Soon the news spread around.

Q#50. What allegations did Ralston put on Chips? Or Why did Ralston ask Chips to retire?

Ans: Ralston said that Chip’s method of teaching was old and lazy, and his personal habits were slovenly. He
disobeyed him. His pronunciation was wrong. He was slack and obstinate.

Q#51. What was Chips’ reaction to Ralston’s allegations?

Ans: He thought that Ralston was running the school like a factory to turn out a snob-cultural based on money
and machines. He thought that Ralston was lessening the old good traditions.

Q#52. Why did students, teachers and parents turn against Ralston?

Ans: Ralston was not liked in Brookfield. He was feared and respected. However, after the row with Chips, the
dislike rose to the point where it conquered fear and destroyed even respect.

Q#53. Who was Sir John Rivers and why was he in favor of Chips?

Ans: Sir John Rivers was the Chairman of the Governors. He was a pupil of Chips also. He favored Chips
because he thought that Chips was justified in his row with Ralston.

Q#54. Did Ralston know Brookfield and its traditions?

Ans: No, Ralston did not have any idea about the past traditions of Brookfield school. He could not imagine its
deep rooted traditions. Being not so popular, he had to leave the school forever.

Q#55. How did Katherine help Chips in the matters of discipline?

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 Glorious English Notes
Ans: He was very rigid in maintaining discipline. Many times, Katherine advised Chips in the matter of
discipline. He became popular with students. People began to love him.

Q#56. What was the effect of Katherine’s death on Chips?

Ans: On the death of his wife he found himself to be in a horrifying nightmare. He wished to die like her. He
found himself to be in a continuous trance. He was totally preoccupied.

Q#57. Write a brief note on Mr. Chatteris. Or Who was the successor of Ralston and what kind of man
was he?

Ans: Chatteris was the successor of Ralston. He was modern, friendly and sympathetic. He wisely accepted
Chips. Chips also liked him much. He fell ill and died in April, 1917.

Q#58. What services did Brookfield render during the World War I?

Ans: During the World War I, Brookfield rendered great services. The soldiers used its playing –fields for
sports and training. Many of its teachers and students fought for the glory of England.

Q#59. What did Chatteris read out on every Sunday night during the war?

Ans: On every Sunday night, Chatteris read out the names of the old boys who were killed in the war. He also
described their short biography.

Q#60. Whom did Chips call the stink-merchants? Or Who was Burrow?

Ans: The scientists who invented bombs and weapons in their laboratories were called stink-merchant. Burrow
was a pale and lean man. He was a science master. That is why, he was nicknamed ‘’the stink- merchants’’.

Q#61. What happened on 11 November 1918? Or How did Brookfield celebrate the end of War?

Ans: World War 1 ended on 11 November 1918. A whole holiday was declared. The kitchen staff was asked to
provide a large meal. There was much cheering and singing.

Q#62. What were the two things Chips had never done in his life?

Ans: He had never travelled by air and he had never been to a talky show.

Q#63. What was Chips’ will?

Ans: In 1930 Chips wrote his will, in which he dedicated some money for Mrs. Wickett. He also announced an
open entrance scholarship to the school.

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 Glorious English Notes
Q#64. Who was Linford?

Ans: Linford was the last visitor of Chips. He had been told that Chips wanted to see him. Mr. Chips welcomed
him and treated him gently.

Q#65. What were the feelings of Chips when Linford had gone away?

Ans: Linford said to Chips, ‘’Good-Bye, Mr. Chips’’. These words began to echo in Chips’ mind. Katherine
also said these words to him one night before their marriage. When he remembered his wife, tears began to roll
down his cheeks.

Q#66. What did Mr. Cartright say to Mr. Chips? Or What did Mr. Chips say when Mr. Cartright said
that he had no child? Or What were the last words of Mr. Chips before his death?

Ans: When Mr. Cartright said that he had no child, Mr. Chips said in a low voice that all his students were his
children. Then he remembered the names of so many boys who had been taught by him. Then he went to eternal
sleep.

Q#67. Who is the writer of the novel ‘’Good Bye Mr. Chips?

Ans: James Hilton is the writer of the novel ‘’Good Bye Mr. Chips. He was a great novelist of his time. ‘’Good
Bye Mr. Chips is his best novel.

Q#68. Who is Mr. Chips?

Ans: Mr. Chips is the central character of the novel ‘’Good Bye Mr. Chips’’. He was an ordinary teacher at
Brookfield. His real name was Mr. Chipping.

Q#69. What type of novel is ‘’Good Bye Mr. Chips.’’

Ans: ‘’Good- Bye Mr. Chips’’ is a biographical novel. It is the life-history of an ideal teacher who had devoted
himself entirely to the cause of education and betterment of his students. His devotion and interest made him an
institution in himself.

Q#70. Describe the death scene of Mr. Chips.

Ans: Mr. Chips was between the state of sleep and wakefulness. The sweet memories of Katherine came to his
mind. He remembered almost all the boys and his jokes. Soon, he was sleep but from this sleep he could not rise
again. He died the same night in 1933.

Prepared By: Iftikhar Ahmad Tarar (M. Phil Linguistics)0334-9395715,0301-6220876 10