The Browning Version
The Browning Version
Historical context...
WhenWorld War IIended in 1945,
Great Britain was in complete
disarray. The country, as most of
Europe, had suffered terribly during
the war. Although Germany never
invaded Great Britain, the country
withstood severe bombings and
economic turmoil, the latter of which
lasted into the Postwar period. In
that environment, the Labour Party
was elected to power in 1945, and,
for the first time, held control of
Parliament. Clement R. Attlee served
as Prime Minister.
Plot
The play is about the last few days in the career of Andrew CrockerHarris, an agingclassicsteacher at a Britishpublic school. The man's
academic life is fading away following illness and he feels that he has
become obsolete. The headmaster informs him that the school will not
give him his pension because of his early retirement, though he was
depending on it, and wishes him to relinquish his place in the end-ofterm speech-giving to a popular sports master.
When Taplow, a pupil who needs Crocker-Harris to pass him so he can
go up to the next year, comes to him for help with hisGreek, CrockerHarris begins to show his true feelings through his love for literature.
Mr. Gilbert, Crocker-Harris's successor at his teaching post, arrives to
view the Crocker-Harrises' home. He seeks advice on the lower fifth,
the year Crocker-Harris teaches, and how to control them. CrockerHarris begins to relate to Gilbert his own sad experiences after Gilbert
tells Crocker-Harris that the headmaster had referred to Crocker-Harris
as the 'Himmler of the lower fifth'. Crocker-Harris, who did not realize
he was feared by the boys, is very disturbed by this title.
Summary
The Browning Versionopens in the sitting room of the home of
Andrew and Millie Crocker-Harris. A young student, John Taplow,
knocks at the front door, then lets himself inside. He steals a
chocolate from an open box, then uses his walking stick to
practice his golf swing.
Frank Hunter, a young schoolmaster, watches Taplows moves
unseen. Finally, he interrupts and gives Taplow pointers on his
swing. They converse for a few moments. Taplow has come for
his tutoring session with Andrew, although it is the last day of
school. The young man is worried, however, that Andrew will not
give him his remove. He plans to study science, which is
Hunters subject.
Taplow does a wicked impersonation of Andrew, which he almost
immediately regrets. However, Frank asks him to do it again,
then suggests that since Crocker-Harris is rather late, Taplow
should go play golf. Taplow is appalled at the suggestion. Despite
his problems with Andrew, Taplow does like him and fears him
enough to stay. Taplow relates an incident and again mimics
Andrew for Franks benefit. This time, Millie Crocker- Harris
appears at the door, and she listens for a moment before coming
inside.