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Goodbye
Mr. Chips
Summary: Goodbye Mr. Chips is a book about a man named Charles Chipping, a quiet man who was a teacher at England's Brookfield school until his retirement. The book cycles through his memories of working at the school and his wife Katherine. He remembers and goes looks back on how his wife helped him become more kind and sympathetic until he quietly passes away.
By James Hilton
Character Analysis
Mr. Chip Started off as a young man being a stern teacher and a disciplined young master. Mr. Chip follows that way until he meets a girl named Katherine, his future wife. Katherine was a kind and generous person who taught Mr. Chips how to be kinder. Instead of getting kids in trouble she influenced him to give them help instead of get making their situation worse. Mr. Chip gets older and becomes a kind old man who helps kids at the school more. His personality is more funny and kinder but he aged and looks older than he was at the start of the book.
Timeline of Important Events
1870
Chips begins teaching at Brookfield at the age of 22, as a man with a lot of hopes and dreams.
1896
Chips meets Katherine his future wife, she encouraged Chip to be kinder and transforming him to be a kinder teacher and person.
1913
Chips retires from Brookfield for the first time at the age of 65.
1917
Chips comes out of retirement to be the acting Headmaster for the 2nd time as the former Headmaster Chatteris dies in service for the war
during WW2/
1933
Chips died after being the Headmaster at Brookfield at the age of 85. His story is one of change and growth.
Interview With Mr. Chips
Reporter: How was it working at Brookfield?
Mr. Chips: Brookfield is a great place and I enjoyed teaching the children and loved the times I was acting Headmaster. I tried to shape the kids as best as I could to give them a bright future
Reporter: How did you feel having to rise to the occasion 2 times once even leaving retirement to be the acting Headmaster?
Mr. Chips: I felt honored that they thought I was the right candidate to take over, But it was hard adjusting from being a normal teacher to a Headmaster.
Reporter: How did you connect with the boys you taught. How did you get them to love you and be kind.
Mr. Chips: All I did was be sympathetic and compassionate. If students did things wrong instead of punishing them I would put myself in their shoes to see what they need, like extra help to learn the teaching material.
Reporter: How did Katherine your wife influence you, and how did it help with the students you taught.
Mr. Chips: Brookfield is a great place and I enjoyed teaching the children and loved the times I was acting Headmaster. I tried to shape the kids as best as I could to give them a bright future
Reporter: As mentioned a little bit before was it hard coming out of retirement, what did you have to sacrifice to help the school of Brookfield.
Mr. Chips: Leaving retirement to being the acting Headmaster was a difficult choice. In choosing to exit retirement I gave up living peacefully and having no work. I had to work hard which was hard to adapt to considering I was in retirement.
Setting Of The Story
The First setting of the story is in a small but cozy room in the house of Mrs. Wickett. The room is small but has a fire place and often has the aroma of tea and tea cups to drink. The second setting of the story is in Brookfield. Brookfield is the school Mr. Chips teaches young boys about Latin and classics.
Theme: Change vs Tradition
Theme
Example 1: Kathie helps Chips change his ways in order to be a better and more sympathetic teacher.
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Example 2: Even when he's old he does not follow tradition, Chips even though retired meets with the boys he taught in the past or are being taught now and motivate and talk to them.
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Example 3: Chips looks back at his future and realizes that being kinder is an other way to be a teacher then just being strict.
5 Elements Of The Plot
Element 1
Mr. Chips starts working at Brookfield and is a strict and conventional fitting into the school great.
Element 2
Chips is on summer holiday when he meets Katherine his future wife. She teaches him how to be more sympathetic and kind.
Element 3
The first Headmaster Ralston tries to get Chips forced out but the school unites and forces him to resign instead.
Element 4
Chips retires and starts living in Mrs. Wickett's boarding house drinking tea and remembering memories.
Element 5
Chip has to come out of retirement to become acting Headmaster as the new one dies in the war.
Fun Facts
Fun Fact 1: The book was based on the authors loving father who was a schoolmaster.
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Fun Fact 2: The book was very popular when it came out and sold over 15,000 copies.