What Is The Browning Version About Summary Themes Characters and Ending Explained
The Browning Version is a play highlighting the attitude of a teenage student towards his teacher. The student’s remarks on his teacher are awful and shocking because they are very close to reality. He imitates the voice of Mr.Crocker-Harris and calls him practically inhuman. He is extremely afraid of his teacher and his promotion entirely depends on the goodwill of the teacher. On getting encouraged by his other science teacher, he opens up. Taplow hates Greek play as he does not like the teacher’s method of teaching. In order to make them like him, Mr.Crocker-Harris seems to hate people. The description of the teacher is damaging thus reflecting ultimately the hopeless quality of teachers.
The Play - The Browning Version
The play, “The Browning Version” was written by Terence Rattigan. There were many people who felt that this okay reflected the best work of Terence. It was first performed in London, Phoenix theater on September 8, 1948. It was one of the two short plays, which were titled together as “playbill”. The second half of the evening was Harlequinade, which was the companion piece. The set up of The Browning Version was in the boys public school. Crocker-Harris, who was the classics teacher in the play, was believed to be based on J.W. Coke Norris, who was a classics tutor of Rattigan at Harrow school.
Characters in the Play
Mr.Crocker-Harris - The strict teacher.
Mr. Frank - the science teacher.
Taplow - the teenage student.
Mille Crocker-Harris - Mr. Crocker-Harris’s wife.
Summary
The first scene of the play is set in the school. A sixteen-year-old teenage boy named Taplow is there in the opening of the scene. Taplow has come to do some extra work for his teacher Mr.Crocker-Harris and has to wait for him as he is yet to arrive. Frank was another teacher, who on seeing Taplow waiting strikes a conversation with him.
Frank during the conversation gets to know that Taplow is waiting for his results which are yet to come. He is interested in specializing in science and hopes to get a good result. The headmaster declares the result on the last day of term on request of Mr.Crocker-Harris who does not declare the result himself.
The conversation between them also depicts Taplow’s mindset regarding his dislike towards the Greek play and interest in science. Taplow confesses to Frank during their conversation that he dislikes the greek play ‘Agamemnon’ and hates the teaching methods of Mr.Crocker-Harris. He tells Frank that the play is not that bad but he is interested in science.
Taplow had to do extra work as he missed a class a week ago. Frank suggested that he might get his removal for doing extra work which Taplow refuses to accept as he feels Mr.Crocker-Harris is different from other teachers and such rules don’t work with him. Also, he doesn’t appreciate the extra work done by students.
Mr.Harris being different from other teachers is strict and inhuman as told by Taplow. He doesn’t disclose the results to the students before the last day of term himself and instead makes the headmaster do so. When asked about the removal of Mr.Crocker-Harris by Taplow, he says that is exactly what he deserves “No less, and certainly no more”.
Taplow was suggested by Frank to make use of the chance to leave and play golf as Mr.Crocker-Harris is ten minutes late. Taplow denies it as he is afraid and thinks that Mr.Crocker-Harris might follow him home.
Frank envies Mr. Harris for the control he has on his students and the fear amongst the students because of him. Frank asks Taplow if Mr.Harris beats them to which he replies that he is not a sadist and not a person who would beat students to vent his frustration.
Taplow tells that he likes Mr.Harris despite all this and narrates an incident wherein he laughs at a classical joke by Mr.Crocker-Harris, although he didn’t get the joke.
In the meantime, Mrs. Mille Crocker Harris enters the room and informs Taplow that her husband has gone to Bursar’s and would take some time to come back. She suggests Taplow go and play for a quarter of an hour and return back until Mr.Harris comes.
Taplow is puzzled by Mr.Harris’s behavior. He is not willing to leave until Mr.Harris arrives as he is afraid of him and doesn’t want to disobey him. Mille assures Taplow that she won’t let him land in trouble and would take the blame on her by making an excuse for his absence. Taplow is handed a prescription by her and sends him to the chemist to get medicines for Mr.Harris. Taplow agrees to it and leaves from there.
The Plot of the Play
The play is about a classics teacher named Andrew Crocker-Harris, who teaches at an English boys school. After spending eighteen years of his life in that same school, it was his last day there as he got another job at a different school. There were speculations about his transfer among the students but they didn’t give much care to this even though he was academically brilliant. He was despised by everyone because of his humorless, stern, and strict behavior towards the students. He had a nickname given by the students which was known as “The Crock”.
Even the administrators of the school treated him badly without considering his long tenure. His wife, Millie Crocker-Harris, no longer loved him but had an affair with another teacher named Frank hunter. Even though she had an affair with him, deep down she knew that he didn't love her. Taplow, a student who doesn’t hate Crocker-Harris but felt sorry for him, gave a going-away gift to him, on this last day. The gift he gave was the copy of a translation of Agamemnon, an Aeschylus’s ancient play written by Robert Browning. This gift brought a series of actions that made Crocker-Harris look back at his past, view his future and calculate how he will end his tenure at the school.
Adaptations of the Play
There were at least four adaptations in television and two film versions. The version of the 1951 film, starred Michael Redgrave, who played Crocker-Harris. He won two awards at the prestigious Cannes films festival. The first award was for Rattigan's screenplay and the other was for Redgrave’s acting performance. There was a remake of the play in 1994, which starred Albert Finney, Greta Scacchi, Michael Gambon, Julian Sands, Matthew Modine, and a young Ben Silverstone.
There was another version of the play in British television made in 1955. It starred Peter Cushing in the role of Crocker-Harris. There was one more version just for the television that came in 1985, which starred Ian Holm as the main character of the play for the BBC.
Not only tv but a radio version of the play was also broadcast in June 2011 on BBC Radio 4. Martin Jarvis directed the show in which Michael York, Ian Ogilvy, Loan Gruffudd, and Joanne Whalley featured. There was also an earlier version of the play that was broadcasted in September 1957 on the BBC Home service. Norman Wright was its director and it was adapted by Cynthia Pughe with Anthony Adams, Brewster Mason, John Gielgud, and Angela Baddeley.
On April 3, 2012, a stage performance was held at The Players Club in New York City by TAPT (The Artists’ Playground Theater).
Conclusion of the Browning Version
Through the play, the relationship between the student and teacher is depicted. Taplow who was expected to show his anger instead chose to respect and not disobey his teacher despite Mr.Harris’ ways of teaching.
FAQs on The Browning Version Summary for Students and Exam Preparation
1. What is the summary of The Browning Version?
The summary of The Browning Version is that it tells the story of Andrew Crocker-Harris, a strict and disliked schoolmaster who experiences emotional transformation after receiving a touching gift from a student.
- The play is set in an English public school.
- Crocker-Harris is forced to retire due to poor health and lack of popularity.
- A student, Taplow, gives him a copy of Robert Browning’s translation of Agamemnon.
- The gift deeply moves him and restores his sense of dignity and humanity.
2. Who wrote The Browning Version?
The The Browning Version was written by Terence Rattigan, a British playwright known for his realistic dramas.
- It was first performed in 1948.
- The play is often studied in English literature classes.
- Rattigan focuses on emotional depth and psychological conflict.
3. Who is the main character in The Browning Version?
The main character in The Browning Version is Andrew Crocker-Harris, a middle-aged classics teacher.
- He is known as strict, sarcastic, and emotionally distant.
- Students nickname him “the Himmler of the Lower Fifth.”
- He struggles with loneliness and a failing marriage.
4. Why is it called The Browning Version?
The play is called The Browning Version because it refers to Robert Browning’s English translation of the Greek tragedy Agamemnon.
- Taplow gifts this book to Crocker-Harris.
- The inscription in the book expresses gratitude and respect.
- The gift symbolizes understanding and redemption.
5. What are the main themes of The Browning Version?
The main themes of The Browning Version are redemption, loneliness, emotional repression, and dignity.
- Redemption – Crocker-Harris regains self-worth.
- Loneliness – He feels isolated at school and at home.
- Emotional repression – He hides his true feelings.
- Failure and dignity – He accepts his professional shortcomings honestly.
6. What is the significance of the gift in The Browning Version?
The gift of Browning’s Agamemnon is significant because it restores Crocker-Harris’s faith in himself as a teacher.
- It is the only genuine gift he receives.
- The inscription shows that a student truly appreciates him.
- It makes him cry, revealing his suppressed emotions.
7. How does The Browning Version end?
The play ends with Crocker-Harris delivering a humble and honest farewell speech to his students.
- He admits he may have been strict and unpopular.
- He thanks the students sincerely.
- He leaves with a renewed sense of dignity.
8. What is the character of Millie in The Browning Version?
Millie Crocker-Harris is portrayed as cold, unfaithful, and emotionally insensitive.
- She is Andrew’s wife.
- She openly disrespects him.
- She has an affair with another teacher, Frank Hunter.
9. What is the role of Taplow in The Browning Version?
Taplow plays the role of a sensitive student who brings emotional change to Crocker-Harris.
- He respects his teacher despite finding him strict.
- He presents the meaningful gift of Browning’s translation.
- He represents youthful honesty and kindness.
10. What is the message of The Browning Version?
The message of The Browning Version is that kindness and appreciation can transform a person’s life.
- Even strict or misunderstood individuals need recognition.
- Human dignity can be restored through empathy.
- Emotional honesty leads to personal growth.
