NCERT English Class 11 | Chapter 6 | The Browning Version | Summary

This is a play with a school as its first scene. Taplow, a sixteen-year-old boy, appears in the beginning. He's come to help his teacher, Mr. Crocker-Harris, with some extra work. He also has to wait for him because he hasn't arrived yet. Another teacher, Frank, notices Taplow waiting and initiates a conversation with him.

During the conversation, Frank learns that Taplow is awaiting the results of his exam, which has yet to be delivered. The young man wishes to pursue a career in science and anticipates a positive outcome. Mr Crocker-Harris does not announce the outcome. Instead, request that the results be announced on the last day of term by the headmaster.

Taplow's mind is also revealed during the conversation. He expresses his distaste for the play 'Agamemnon' to Frank. He admits that the play isn't bad, but he prefers science. He also mentions that Mr Harris' method of teaching it is terrible.

Because he missed a class a week ago, they will have to do extra work. Frank states categorically that Taplow will be "removed" for doing extra work. Taplow, on the other hand, has a different impression. Mr Crocker-Harris is different from other teachers, so such rules don't apply to him, according to Taplow. He also doesn't like it when students put in extra effort.

Mr Harris, according to Taplow, is unlike any other teacher. He is harsh and uncaring. Furthermore, he withholds their results from them until the day of judgement. When Taplow inquires about his dismissal, Crocker-Harris responds that he "deserves nothing less, and certainly nothing more."

Frank pointed out that Crocker-Harris is running late by ten minutes, giving Taplow the opportunity to leave and play golf. Taplow, on the other hand, is taken aback by this suggestion, as he fears Mr Crocker-Harris will follow him home.

Frank admires Mr Harris's ability to influence his students. When Frank inquires about Mr Harris's beatings, Taplow responds that he is not a sadist. And he isn't the type to beat up on students as a way of expressing his dissatisfaction.

Despite this, he likes Mr Harris and recounts an incident in which he laughs at a classic joke told by Mr Harris, despite the fact that he doesn't understand it.

Mille Crocker-Harris (Mr Crocker-Harris' Wife) then walks into the room. Taplow should run away for a quarter of an hour and then return, she suggests. Mr Harris has been at the Bursar's office and it may take some time.

Taplow is perplexed by Mrs Harris' behaviour. Taplow is adamant about not leaving because he does not want to disobey the teacher, whom he despises. Mille assures Taplow that she will take responsibility and offers an explanation for his absence. Mille hands Taplow a prescription and instructs him to get it for Harris from a chemist. As a result, Taplow accepts the proposal and departs with Frank and Mrs Harris.

Conclusion of the Browning Version

The writer of the Browning Version summary wishes to convey that teachers are not as bad as they appear, and that all they want is the best for their students.


Poem: Childhood by Markus Natten

First and foremost, the poet begins to think and thinks about the end of his childhood. He ponders the point at which his childhood came to an end. He ponders whether that was the day he stopped being eleven years old. Another possibility is that the author realised that Hell and Heaven did not exist and could not be found in geography at the time. As a result, this was the point at which the author could distinguish between reality and fantasy. The poet realises that they are fictitious locations that do not exist in the real world.

The poet asks the same question about losing his childhood once more. Now, the poet wonders if this was the point at which he began to see the world in a new light. Humans' perceptions of the world naturally change as they grow older. The poet, on the other hand, appears to be deeply affected by it. In addition, the poet came to the conclusion that adults are hypocrites. This is due to the fact that adults are not who they appear to be. Adults preach about love, but their actions are not so loving, according to the author. As a result, the author believes that adults have a two-faced nature. So, did this mark the end of his childhood?

Moving on, the poet mulls over the same issue of his childhood being taken away from him. In addition, the author mulls over various possibilities. Furthermore, the poet reflects on the day when he realised that his mind was his own. This was the point at which the poet realised he could use his mind in any way he wanted. In addition, the poet understands that his thoughts are his own and that no one can influence them. One could say that the poet realised he had free will and was capable of producing his own thoughts. This was the point in the poet's life when he became aware of his own uniqueness and personality. So, was that the day when he lost his childhood?

In the final stanza, the poet expresses regret for his lost childhood. It appears that the poet wishes to relive his childhood. He comes to the conclusion that his childhood has vanished into a forgotten place where it will never be found again. The poet longs for his youth, which he no longer has. This is the kind of innocence that only a baby's face can display. He only has pleasant childhood memories, which would quickly fade. Childhood innocence, according to the poet, lasts only until one is an infant.

Conclusion of Childhood

The childhood summary discusses how childhood innocence fades as one grows older and becomes more aware of life's realities.


1. The Portrait of a Lady summary

2. 'We're Not Afraid to Die…if We Can All Be Together' summary

3. Discovering Tut : the Saga Continues summary

4. Landscape of the Soul summary

5. The Ailing Planet : the Green Movement ' s Role summary

6. The Browning Version summary

7. The Adventure summary

8. Silk Road summary

9. Note-making summary

10. Summarising summary

11. Sub-titling summary

12. Essay-writing summary

13. Letter-writing summary

14. Creative Writing summary


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