Chapter One
You are first introduced to the two main characters – Charlie Forbes and Tom Curdie – in this chapter.
The chapter begins with Charlie Forbes (the teacher) reading Tom Curdie's jotter in class. It is quickly introduced that Tom isn't from a very good background, he is actually from Donaldson's Court which is described as “one of the worst slums in one of the worst slum districts in Europe” (p3). It is found that although Tom is from the slums, he is an extremely intelligent boy with him being in the “elite of the first year” (p2) class. However, Tom is on probation as he was caught stealing butter from a shop. Charlie then gets the idea that if he took Tom on holiday with his family – who are a lot richer than Tom – to Towellan. He hopes that this will “not just help feed him and give him rest and fresh air, but especially to build up in him an immunity against the evil influences threatening him” (p4). Charlie then decides to go and ask the headmaster (Mr Fisher) for permission to take Tom on holiday with him. As soon as Tom's name is mentioned, Mr Fisher thinks that he is here to make a complaint about him as many other teachers have done so. Mr Fisher thinks that Charlie's idea is ridiculous and that his wife – Mary Forbes – will never agree to it, however, he says that it's not his place to give him permission or not as it is a private matter. After Charlie leaves the office, Mr Fisher phones Tom's primary school headmaster – Bob Black – and speaks to him about Tom and Charlie. This gives more insight into Charlie and Tom as characters.
Charlie Forbes
“Although it was fat, Mr Forbes's face was also long and bleak; even the little bags under his eyes were lugubrious.” (p1)
“His hand that rested on the blotted page was plump, soft and pink, with black hairs and a ring.” (p2)
“So righteous and dull” (p2)
Charlie always sees the best in people –even though Tom stole butter from a shop and was on probation for it, Charlie still feels sorry for him as “so much wrong has been done to this boy” (p3).
“The headmaster's approval might not be necessary, but to so loyal and punctilious a subordinate as Forbes it was desirable” (p5)
Tom Curdie
“All were in contrast to this little scarecrow by the desk, in the ragged man's jacket, the flithy long trousers, and the sandshoes with the canvas tops in tatters.” (p2)
“Curdie's smile was notorious: other teachers called it sly and insolent; it was, they said, the smile of the certificated delinquent, of misanthropy in bud, of future criminality, of inevitable degradation.” (p2)
“Tom Curdie, on the contrary, had one of the best intelligences in the school.” (p3)
“The dirt on his neckwas more clearly seen; and were those red specks flea-marks?” (p5)
Tom often gets into trouble at school – Mr Fisher says “what's he been up to this time?” (p6)
“He's a convicted thief” (p6)
“He thinks wee Curdie's the most dangerous boy in the school” (p7)
“One of my brightest [pupils] ever” (p10)
Key Themes
Good Samaritan – Charlie wants to help Tom as he feels that he has the potential in order to become something great. Charlie wants to do so by taking Tom to Towellan with him.
Chapter Two
In this chapter we are introduced Charlie Forbes’s wife and the dynamics of their relationship.
His wife is described as a “pink cheeked” and a “black haired” woman. She is very concerned about what people think of her family and would like them all to be respected by the community. This is why she is so concerned within this chapter, when Charlie requests to take Tom Curdie on holiday with them.
He thinks it’s better to ask her on a walk, so when they outside he takes the plunge to discuss his idea and hopes for Tom.
She is reluctant at first; due to hearing bad things of Tom in the past. She is also aware that he is on probation. However, in the end she agrees to have him come on the holiday and they both go to bed. Charlie dreaming of strange disconcerted thoughts.
Key themes - Good Samaritan. Charlie wishes to help tom. "I vowed to take Tom Curdie with me to Towellen this summer"./ Nature Vs nurture. Charlie believes taking him out of Donaldson’s Court will change him. He thinks he can change him "it's those influences I'm saving him from"
Characterisation-Charlie builds up his confidence to tell Mary his idea. The idea of him petting the bull represents this idea. Mary comes around to Charlie's idea after his convincing her. She knows it could possibly benefit her family if Charlie gets a promotion. Deep down she knows it's just another of his Silly ideas.
Relevant quotes-
"Will it really do any good?"
"A double edged question"
Both of these quotes show Mary's uncertainty to whether it is a good idea which reflects the ending to the book.
Chapter Three
In this chapter we are introduced to the setting of Donaldson’s Court and also members of Tom’s family. Donaldson’s Court, one of Glasgow’s slums, is described with privies that are overflowing and that new-borns there are almost “alien” to the surroundings. This is also the chapter when Tom shows comradeship to a cat in the street. He does this by walking up to it and offering it some of the apple. This shows the symbolism between the two and how he feels like that cat. He later goes home and has conversation with his younger brother Alec, who he gives the rest of the apple to. Tom also talks of about the rest of the family, and talks about how he isn’t “ashamed of them”. Then he contemplates the rest of the night about going away with the Forbs family and has another comversation with Queenie (his mother) about going. She agrees he can go.
Chapter Four
In chapter four Tom Curdie overhears teachers talking about money that would be left in the classroom overnight. He then decides to go back to the school late at night and steal it.
The beginning of this chapter adds to the reader’s understanding of the character of Tom. It is clear that Tom is not trusted by everyone as when the teachers are talking about the money Tom is just doing his sums but the character of Mr Todd (one of Tom’s teachers) says to the second teacher ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if the little bastard was sitting there listening to every word.’
When insulted by Todd Tom ‘Neither blushed nor sulked’ which shows the reader that Tom does not get offended or embarrassed, he just lets comments wash over him.
Todd says to the second teacher that ‘You never know what’s in that one’s head.’ This shows the reader that no one truly understands Curdie and this highlights the theme of misunderstanding.
When Tom decides to steal the money he decides ‘He would come alone’ which shows his independence.
The reader finds out about how Tom was once made to write two hundred lines by a teacher saying ‘Hygiene is not a luxury’ which highlights the theme of prejudice as he is given extra work to do just because he is from the slums and cannot afford to be very clean.
Todd screams ‘Filth!’ at the state of Curdie’s jotter, which highlights the theme of poverty because Curdie cannot afford a bag to keep his books in.
Chapter Five
In this chapter, they find out about the robbery by being told by the janitor in the morning. The police had been brought in to investigate the crime, and found that the supposed ‘blood’ on Mr. Todd’s floor was in fact red ink.
The teachers set out a list of student they think are responsible for the robbery and are quick to interview them.
When Tom arrives to be questioned, Mr. Todd automatically suspects him for the crime, but with no evidence to support this, like ink on his shoes and hands, he can’t be charged, and is let free to go.
In this chapter we learn a lot about what kind of person Forbes is. He is the first to arrive at the school which suggests that he is passionate about his work, or he is trying to impress the others by being there before them. We also find out that as much as Charlie is a nice person trying to do well for the world, he never really helps; we know this from the quotation:
“The difference between you and me, Charlie, is this; If I passed a bling beggar with a tinny I’d drop in a couple of coppers and pass on, without giving him another though; but you’d be so damned indignant at such public misery and so busy blaming everyone else for it that you’d pass by without putting anything in at all.”
We also get to know a lot about what kind of person Tom is. When he the teachers are talking about him, one says that he’s never seen Tom in a sweat. This shows us how relaxed Tom is about everything, even with all the bad around him.
It also says in the chapter that ‘No boy could have been more respectful and properly aware that he stood in the presence of authority’. This shows us how even though he is from the slums, he appreciates his education and does not obviously want to thwart his chances of staying there.
It also says in the chapter that when a fist was hit off the desk at him, he showed not even a twitch of fear. This shows us how confident he is they won’t find out it was him who committed the robbery, but also shows us that he isn’t afraid of these teachers and their punishments, and the life he is experiencing is more pain to him, than any threats by them could be.
We also get to know what others think about Tom, as when a quick smile comes across his face, they mean different things for different people. To Todd it indicated a depth of insolence, To Forbes indomitability. This shows us that Todd thinks Tom is he is being rude or cheeky, whereas Forbes thinks he’s strong and unique.
This also shows us more about Todd and Forbes, as Todd can be seen to be harsh and judgemental, Forbes can be seen to be quite accepting and encouraging.
Chapter Six
The Forbes family are leaving to go to Towellan. Gillian and Alastair meet Tom. Gillian asks him questions to get to know him better, while Alastair kept quiet and carried Tom’s suitcase. The Forbes family find out that Mrs Storrock’s, Mrs Forbes mother is coming along with them on holiday. No one in the family seem to be happy about it especially Charlie and Alastair. Charlie has cleaned and washed Tom so feels proud of what he has done. Gillian says she doesn’t think she’s going to like him because she feels Tom’s laughing at them. Charlie gets defensive and gives Gillian a row, but Mrs Forbes stands up for her.
The main theme in this chapter is rejection. Tom is instantly rejected by Gillian because he doesn’t say much. Gillian asks him questions like ‘Can you swim?’ he replies with ‘only three strokes’ and she instantly dismiss him by saying ‘Then you can’t swim’. She knows he probably doesn’t know how to do any of these, but asks him anyway. It seems like she’s purposely trying to embarrass him. Charlie sees Tom has transformed to a boy that ‘Todd would have approved of’. Charlie felt proud and he had achieved something. He doesn’t seem to think of it as helping Tom but helping himself, so Charlie can be approved of. At the back of Charlie’s mind he always thinking of what other people will think of him.
Chapter Seven
At the start of this chapter Charlie and the boys nearly miss the train but luckily they just caught it before it departed. On the train, Mrs Storrocks complains about how cramped it is and the conversation eventually turns to Mrs Storrocks tells everyone where Tom Curdie is from. Out of sorrow, people give Tom money. This is a good example of how Tom has a misunderstanding of kindness towards him. When the family get off the train Tom thinks Charlie is cross with him for taking the money. However, this is not the case and Tom, instead, gives the money to Charlie for payment of his new clothes instead of spending this money on his holiday. This act of Tom’s highlights how he is not comfortable with receiving charity, instead of kindness, Tom mistakes these gifts as money given to him out of sorrow. Tom gives the money back, because he has built a hard shell around him- due to his upbringing in Donaldson’s Court. He never accepts charity, this is a clear example of a theme of misunderstanding in the book.
Also, there is symbolism used here as well. When the whole family are off the train there is a large flock of seagulls over heard and one drops excrement on a lady below. This act spoils the holiday as Charlie wants it to be perfect. However, the unsightly scene is just one of many that spoils the holiday. Charlie sees a seagull looking at him. The seagull’s eye acts as a symbol, as it reminds him of what Todd said, “It’s a lot of guff.” This made Charlie shudder as this brings back the memories of failure, and reminded him of taking Tom Curdie on this holiday – is it good for Tom or himself? This links to Charlie’s epiphany at Canada Hill. Small acts of spoilers such as the seagulls really penetrate Charlie’s thoughts and remind him that he is not perfect, eventually making him have his great epiphany and come to terms that he and the world are never perfect.
Chapter Eight
The family arrive in Towellan and are greeted by Bob Moodie, a "friend" of Charlie's. Charlie introduces Tom to Bob, calling Tom "a very clever boy". Mrs Storrocks grows inpatient and the family leave the pier. Mrs Storrocks disapproves of the family putting money in a cap for a busker playing the bagpipes which she refers to as a "tinker", she puts no money in the cap. The family wait in a Landau carriage waiting for its driver Willie McPhunn. A young kilted boy holds the horses while his family get in, Tom is given the best seat. Charlie jumps into the drivers seat, puts on Willies hat and blows his trumpet, Mrs Storrocks again is embarrassed and refuses to let Alistair blow the trumpet, threatening to cut off his money supply for the holiday. Willie returns and tells Charlie that an old friend’s wife has died (another hint at things spoiling the holiday). The family are greeted ate the house by Mrs MacDonald, a kind neighbour who prepared a meal for them each year. Charlie goes out to the garden before dinner, he is joined by Tom, Gillian orders them to come in for dinner.