To Sir with Love

Braithwaite arrives early to his first day of school, after “‘Mom’” and “‘Dad’” Belmont wish him “‘Best of luck’” (49). Once he enters the playground, Braithwaite is shocked to hear the students routinely cursing each other via the use of the word “bloody” (49). Braithwaite encounters Drew, who he asks about the cursing. Drew gives Braithwaite good advice: “‘Most of the time they are merely showing off; the words themselves are not in their minds associated with the acts they suggest, and it is often good policy to behave as if one did not hear’” (50). Blanchard and Clinty offer Braithwaite encouragement.

The students do not seem to register Braithwaite’s presence at first, but eventually settle down. When taking role, only one student calls him “Sir” (50), a courtesy which prompts jeers from his peers. Braithwaite collects the dinner money and explains the school’s cheap-food program. Braithwaite inspects his 42 students, thinking the girls look “tawdry, jaded…[and] cheap” while the boys look “scruffier, coarser, dirtier, everything about them indicated a planned conformity” (51). The students silently watch Braithwaite, which makes him uneasy. The class goes to the auditorium for assembly, at which point the students join in prayer and listen carefully to classical music and poetry, surprising Braithwaite with their attentiveness.