Here’s the theme and summary of the novel extract “To Sir, With Love” by E. R. Braithwaite —
🌿 Theme: To Sir, With Love
The central theme of To Sir, With Love is education, respect, and social transformation through understanding and empathy.
It highlights how a teacher’s dedication, patience, and human approach can reform and inspire students who are considered undisciplined and hopeless.
Other important themes include:
- Racial prejudice: The novel reflects the challenges faced by the author as a Black teacher in post-war London.
- Teacher-student relationship: It shows how trust and mutual respect can change attitudes and behaviour.
- Moral and emotional education: The story stresses that real education is not just about academics but about preparing young people for responsible adult life.
- Dignity and self-respect: Braithwaite teaches his students to respect themselves and others, regardless of class or background.
📘 Summary of the Extract: To Sir, With Love
The extract is taken from the autobiographical novel To Sir, With Love by E. R. Braithwaite, which tells the story of a well-educated Black man who becomes a teacher in a tough school in London’s East End.
In the extract, Braithwaite narrates his experiences at Greenslade School, where he teaches a group of unruly and disrespectful senior students. At first, they refuse to accept him or behave properly in class. However, instead of punishing them, Braithwaite decides to treat them as young adults and speaks to them with respect and honesty.
He tells his students that from that day, they will be treated as men and women, not children — and in return, they must behave like responsible adults. He insists on cleanliness, good manners, and respectful behaviour towards everyone. Gradually, his approach begins to work. The students respond positively, and a strong bond of mutual respect and affection grows between them.
By the end, the students admire and deeply respect him. They express their love and gratitude in touching ways — especially in the farewell scene, where they present him a gift and a card reading “To Sir, With Love.”
🌸 Message / Moral:
The extract conveys that true education lies in shaping character and attitude, not just teaching lessons. A teacher’s genuine concern, respect, and moral guidance can transform even the most difficult students into responsible and respectful human beings.
History Of Novel
Activities on To Sir With Love
Drama Genre is introduced in Yuvakbharati 12th Standard HSC of Maharashtra State Board. Chapter 4.2 To Sir With Love
Question bank Solutions for English Std 12
Q. 5 B Answer in about 50 words to the questions given below. (4 marks)
1. Half yearly report of the student’s council highlights the conduct of Braithwaite’s’ class. Justify.
Ans : The conduct of Braithwaite’s class is highlighted in the Half yearly report of the students’ council. Students of his class were behaving like business way in allocating task for the program. They held conferences with other classes. They were smartly dressed. Denham conducted the proceedings with courtesy. Other students from his class presented their reports knowledgeably.
2. In the questioning session Denham was expressing few students’ feelings. Illustrate.
Ans : In his report Denham criticised the general pattern of P.T. and games. He pointed out the limitations. He complained about the pointless and ill conceived P.T. . When he was voicing this, the boys cheered him loudly. This shows that the boys were with him and he was expressing their feelings.
3. Miss Philips effectively handled the questioning session. Give supporting details.
Ans : Mr. Weston, Mrs. Dale-Evans ,and Miss Euphemia Phillips were the panelists for the question answer session. Miss Phillips proved to the coolest of the three. She dealt with questions put to her with authority. She assisted other teachers by intervening skillfully. In the case of Denham, she successfully answered him and saved Me. Weston from embarassment.
4. Write a short note on the event which took place on 15th November in Greenslade School.(To Sir With Love)
Ans : The half-yearly report of the Students’ council was organised on 15th November in Greenslade School. In the half yearly report of the students’ council students report to the faculty and other students. They report what they have been studying so far. The meeting began with Mr. Florian’s speech. One after another each class gave a brief report of their progress. A panel of teachers is chosen for each class to answer the queries of students. The reporting began with lowest class. Braithwaite’s class was the last to present the report.
5. The extract presents the narrator as a silent observer of the events. Explain.
Ans : The extract presents the narrator as a silent observer of the events. The event is organised by the students. At the outset the Principal of the school made an introductory speech. The narrator Braithwaite has no role in the event. Students from each class presented their reports. For the question and answer session, a panel of teachers was invited. Braithwaite was not the part of that panel also. He observed the change in the students of his class.
6. ‘Analyzing the change in the students’ behaviour in the presentation’ is the central theme. (To Sir With Love)
Ans : Students spoke knowledgeably in the half yearly report of the Students’ Council . There was a remarkable change in their ability to express themselves. Denham showed courtesy in his address. Miss Joseph spoke on the theme of interdependency Potter spoke on Maths relating to everyday life. All other students of the narrator Braithwaite’s class were completely changed in their attitude. It was the attitude of Braithwaite towards them.
7. Denham and Miss Joseph played a key role in the presentation of the half yearly report of students’ council. Illustrate.
Ans : Miss Joseph and Denham seemed to be important officials of the half-yearly report of the students’ council. They shared the stage with the Principal. Miss Joseph stated the purpose of the council and its report session. Denham called out the names of the representatives to report on the subject one by one.
8. The senior students presented their class report more confidently than the junior students. Give reasons.
Ans : The junior students were just twelve-year-olds who had joined the school the previous year. They were shy and frightened to speak on the stage. The senior students understood what to say and how to say. They had gone through such experiences since it was the practice of the school to arrange such programs.
9. Fernman was innovative and dramatic in his presentation. Discuss in brief.
Ans: The students of the school had reported to the faculty and other students on what they had been studying. One after another each class gave a brief report to their progress seriously. Fernman in his turn brought a skeleton on the stage. The skeleton was put hanging from a hook screwed into the top of its skull. The whole school laughed at his entry and got a comic relief.
CHARACTER (To Sir With Love)
(A1) (i) Which one among the following is a teacher in the extract? Select the correct one. Also cite a couple of lines from the extract in support of your answer.(a) Denham (c) Sapiano(b) Miss Joseph (d) Dale-Evans
Denham asked children to write the name of each teacher. The names were called : Mr Weston, Mrs. Dale-Evans, Miss Phillips
(ii) Complete the table highlighting the various traits of the major characters in the extract from (To Sir With Love).
Ans:
1. Denham – Confident , Courtesy, Respect
2. Miss Phillips – coolest, Skillful assistance, Well informed
3. Fernman – calmness, clear and precise voice strong dramatic sense
4. Potter – knowledge, eloquence, practical
(iii) The narrator played a crucial role in bringing a significant change in the students. Explain the statement by citing some references from the extract.
Ans: Students spoke knowledgeably in the half yearly report of the Students’ Council . There was a remarkable change in their ability to express themselves. Denham showed courtesy in his address. Miss Joseph spoke on the theme of interdependency Potter spoke on Maths relating to everyday life. All other students of the narrator Braithwaite’s class were completely changed in their attitude. It was the attitude of Braithwaite towards them. (iv) Fernman brought a comic relief in the Students’ Council programme. Explain.
Ans: The students of the school had reported to the faculty and other students on what they had been studying. One after another each class gave a brief report to their progress seriously. Fernman in his turn brought a skeleton on the stage. The skeleton was put hanging from a hook screwed into the top of its skull. The whole school laughed at his entry and got a comic relief.
(v) Give a brief character-sketch of –
(a) Denham Denham is a senior student. On the day of The half yearly report Denham seemed to be an important official. He was confident and courteous in his anchoring the programme. His own report came as a bit of shock. He severely criticised the general pattern of P.T. and games. He was a trained boxer. He insisted that instead of P.T. exercises students like him should be allowed to skip P.T. and play other game.
(b) Miss Joseph Miss Joseph is a senior student. On the day of The half yearly report she seemed to be an important official. She had an honour to sit beside the head of the school. She gave a short explanation of the Council’s purpose and its activities . In her turn of report she pointed out the interdependency of mankind on each other
(c) The Narrator The narrator is E R Braithwaite. He worked as an engineer in an oil refinery. He served in the Royal British Air Force in the war. After the war he was unable to find the job. Lastly he got a job in Greenslade School in London. He had to deal with tough time there. But he managed skillfully with students. He brought a lot of change in the behavior of the students.
(d) Miss Dare Miss Dare is a student. She was about to speak on Physiology. Her contribution was something of an anticlimax. She spoke about the problems related to humanity in terms of sickness. She also focused on the advantages gained by interchange of knowledge , advice and assistance.
(e) Miss Phillips Miss Euphemia Phillips is a teacher in the novel. She proved to be the coolest and best informed. She deal with questions authoritatively. She intervened to assist other skillfully. She showed her presence of mind when Denham spoke against the teaching PT. in school. She explained the necessity of every subject to the school.
PLOT (To Sir With Love)
(A2) (i) Arrange the incidents in correct sequence as per their occurrence in theextract.(a) Denham was outwitted by Miss Phillips.(b) The head of the school closed the proceedings.(c) Denham asserted that P.T. periods were a waste of time.(d) The slips were folded and placed in a hat.(e) Fernman was as usual a trump card.(f) Denham called out the names of the representatives.(g) Students’ Council was held every year on November 15th.
Ans
(g) Students’ Council was held every year on November 15th.
(f) Denham called out the names of the representatives.
(e) Fernman was as usual a trump card.
(c) Denham asserted that P.T. periods were a waste of time.
(d) The slips were folded and placed in a hat.
(a) Denham was outwitted by Miss Phillips.
(b) The head of the school closed the proceedings.
(ii) Describe in brief the purpose of organising the half-yearly report programme of Students’ Council.(To Sir With Love)
Ans: Organising the half-yearly report programme of Students’ Council was one of the distinguished feature of the school. Here each class would report on the studies pursued during the half session. After the representatives present the report , they would have question answer session. It helps students to know how far they have understood and the teachers know their expectations.
(iii) Write in your words the entire half-yearly report programme of Students’Council.
(To Sir With Love)
Ans: In the half yearly report of the students’ council students report to the faculty and other students. They report what they have been studying so far. The meeting began with Mr. Florian’s speech. One after another each class gave a brief report of their progress. A panel of teachers is chosen for each class to answer the queries of students. The reporting began with lowest class. Braithwaite’s class was the last to present the report.
(iv) Describe the question-answer session that took place at the end of theextract.Ans: Some teachers were chosen for the question answer session by picking up the chits of their names. Mr. Weston, Mrs.Dale – Evans and Miss Phillips were the teachers to face the queries. The queries were from the higher classes. Miss Phillips was the coolest and well informed while dealing with queries. While facing the questions of Denham and Fernman Weston was blunt and ridiculous. Miss Phillips intervened and sorted out the criticism of Denham coolly.
(v) Describe the discussion that took place between Miss Joseph and Denham.Ans:
SETTING (To Sir With Love)
(A3) (i) Which event took place in the extract (To Sir With Love)? Choose the correct one. Give reason/s to support your answer.
(a) Annual Sports Day on November 15th(b) Annual Social and Cultural Gathering on November 15th(c) Half-yearly report of Students’ Council on November 15th(d) Farewell Programme on November 15th
(ii) The event in the extract was held at the ______________ . Choose the correct alternative. Give reason/s to support your answer.
(a) author’s house
(b) auditorium of the school(c) market(d) garden The event was a big one . All the classes of the school were participating in the event.
(iii) The incidents in the extract occurred at a particular place. Explain the significance of that place in your own words.(To Sir With Love)
Ans: The incidents half yearly report of the Students’ Council in the extract of To Sir With Love took place in the auditorium of the Greenslade School. The auditorium of the school is an important place for the school , teachers and students. Almost all the programmes of the school are conducted here. Since all the classes participated in the report , they needed a big place. And auditorium is such a one place in the school.
(iv) Explain how the setting of the extract contributes to the theme of the novel (To Sir With Love).
Ans: The setting of the novel To Sir With Love shows the novel is written when the racisms was prevalent in England .The setting of the novel contributes much to the theme of the novel. Students-teacher relationship, prejudice and racism are the major themes reflected in the novel. Background of the students is not suitable for learning. It reflects in the theme.
THEME (To Sir With Love)
(A4) (i) ‘When the turn of my class came I sat up anxiously’.Why was the narrator anxious? Explain the statement by citing suitable references from the extract.
Ans: The narrator was anxious because the students of his class were disrespectful, ill-mannered and mischievous earlier. He handled the students in a very amicable way. It had brought changes in their behaviour. The narrator felt pleased when Denham used the term ‘Miss’ for the senior girls. Denham in his report severely criticised the general pattern of P.T.
(ii) Select two statements that describe the theme of the extract (To Sir With Love):
(a) Half-yearly report of the Students’ Council was not an important event for the students and teachers of school.
(b) The writer was immensely pleased to notice the progress of his students.
(c) The students showed a remarkable change in their behaviour and were progressing in all the subjects.(d) The head of the institution was against conducting such activities in the school.
(iii) The relationship between the teacher and the students is highlighted in the extract. Illustrate with suitable examples from the extract of (To Sir With Love)
Ans: The relationship between the teacher and the students is highlighted in the extract vividly. E.R. Braithwaite the teacher became as excited as the students about the half yearly report session. He observed the activities of his noting with pride. He was anxious to listen to the report of his class. Mr. Weston was criticised for his way of dealing with P.T. and games by his students. Miss Phillips had a great impact on the students.
(iv) Explain in brief the theme of the extract (To Sir With Love)
.Ans: Students-Teacher relationship is the theme of the extract. The extract recounts the half yearly report of the Students’ Council. The students of all classes report to the faculty and other students about their study and expectation. Their focus is on how much they have learnt about people, cultures, customs and cooperation.
(v) Describe the atmosphere of the school described in the extract.
LANGUAGE (To Sir With Love)
(A4) (i) Following are some dialogues of the major characters in the extract. Find out who the speaker is, his/her tone, the style, significance etc. of the dialogues.
“Then why do we have to do P.T.? Why don’t they take only the kids who need it?” (To Sir With Love)
Ans : The speaker of the above dialogue is Denham. He is aggressive in the tone. He wants to know the reason and take action accordingly. The use of extensive vocabulary is prevalent in the dialogue. The use of rhetorical questions leaves a great impact.
“Let’s say it is as much an exercise of the mind as it is of the body, Denham.” (To Sir With Love)
Ans : The speaker of the above dialogue is Miss Philips addressed to Denham. The calm and decisive tone is effective. Comparison in the dialogue is effective.
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