"Keeping it from Harold" - Comprehensive Analysis of the Lesson and Activities
"Keeping It From Harold" by P.G. Wodehouse is a charming and humorous short story that revolves around the Bramble family, particularly focusing on the lengths they go to in order to hide the true nature of Mr. Bramble’s profession from their son, Harold. Here’s a brief summary and analysis of the passage:
Summary
Summary: Mrs. Bramble is portrayed as a doting mother, immensely proud of her ten-year-old son Harold, who is highly intelligent and excels in his studies. Harold is unaware of his father's real job, believing him to be a commercial traveller. Mr. Bramble is a professional boxer known as "Young Porky." The parents and Harold's uncle, Major Percy Stokes, go to great lengths to keep this truth from Harold, fearing it would tarnish their son's high opinion of them and disrupt his intellectual pursuits.
The story unfolds with Harold diligently studying and his mother, in awe of her prodigious child, musing on the deceptions they've maintained. Mr. Bramble, influenced by Major Percy, decides to abandon an upcoming crucial fight to prevent Harold from discovering his boxing career, as the fight would be widely publicized.
However, Harold inadvertently overhears the conversation about his father's profession. Contrary to his parents' fears, Harold is thrilled to learn about his father's boxing career, feeling it would elevate his status among his peers. Harold's anger at being kept in the dark about his father's true identity and his disappointment over missing a chance to see his father fight highlight the generational and perceptual gaps within the family.
Analysis:
Characterization
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Mrs. Bramble is depicted as a loving, somewhat naïve mother, deeply invested in her son's academic success and moral upbringing. Her use of third-person self-reference when speaking to Harold underscores her maternal affection and perhaps a slight underestimation of his maturity.
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Mr. Bramble is shown as a mild-mannered, obliging man, caught between his professional pride and his desire to protect his son's refined sensibilities. His transformation from a proud boxer to a furtive secret-keeper highlights the sacrifices parents often make for their children’s perceived well-being.
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Harold Bramble is a precocious, intelligent child, whose scholarly demeanor contrasts sharply with his father's rough-and-tumble profession. His reaction to discovering his father’s true occupation reveals his longing for respect and admiration from his peers, challenging the adults' assumptions about what would bring him shame or pride.
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Characters in details
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Mrs. Bramble:
Description: Mrs. Bramble is depicted as a domestic and doting mother, entirely devoted to her husband, Bill, and her son, Harold. She is portrayed with a kind of "amiable fat-headedness," indicating her gentle and perhaps somewhat naive nature.
Role: She is central to the household and is deeply concerned about maintaining the family's secret—that her husband is a professional boxer—from Harold. Her primary motivation is to preserve Harold's respect for his father and his social standing.
Bill Bramble (Mr. Bramble):
Description: Bill Bramble, also known as "Young Porky" in the boxing world, is a professional boxer. He is described as having a square jaw and an irregularly-shaped nose, typical of a boxer. Despite his tough profession, Bill is mild-mannered, obliging, and devoted to his family.
Role: Bill is caught between his love for boxing and his desire to shield Harold from the truth about his profession. His internal conflict and eventual decision to quit boxing for Harold's sake drive the story's main tension.
Harold Bramble:
Description: Harold is a ten-year-old boy, exceptionally intelligent, serious, and studious, often engaged in his books and schoolwork. He wears spectacles and is a model student, having won prizes for spelling and dictation.
Role: Harold's intelligence and serious demeanour contrast sharply with his father's profession, making the concealment of Bill's true occupation more pressing for his parents. Harold's eventual discovery of the truth and his reaction to it provide the story's climax and resolution.
Major Percy Stokes:
Description: Major Percy Stokes is Mrs. Bramble's brother. He is depicted as persuasive, somewhat weedy in build, and enjoys the sound of his own voice. He often meddles in the Bramble family's affairs.
Role: Percy is the catalyst for Bill's decision to quit boxing, having convinced him that Harold's knowledge of his profession would be disastrous. His dramatic and somewhat self-righteous demeanour adds a layer of comedic tension to the story.
Jerry Fisher:
Description: Jerry Fisher is Bill's trainer, a short, sturdy man with a broken nose. He is dedicated to Bill's boxing career and is described as a "hard nut."
Role: Jerry represents the boxing world's perspective, valuing the sport and the financial rewards it brings. His confrontation with the Brambles highlights the conflict between personal aspirations and family responsibilities.
Martha (the general):
Description: Martha is the Bramble family's maid, responsible for household chores and answering the door.
Role: While her role is minor, she contributes to the domestic setting of the story and helps illustrate the everyday life of the Bramble family.
These characters each play a crucial role in the unfolding of the story, contributing to its humor, tension, and ultimately, its resolution. The interplay between their personalities and motivations creates a richly comedic narrative that underscores the themes of familial love, pride, and the lengths to which parents will go to protect their children.
Themes
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Parental Sacrifice and Deception:
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The story explores the extent to which parents will go to protect their children, even resorting to deceit. The Brambles' decision to hide Mr. Bramble’s profession from Harold is rooted in their desire to preserve his innocence and social standing.
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Perception vs. Reality:
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The gap between how Mr. and Mrs. Bramble perceive Harold's potential reaction and his actual reaction when he learns the truth highlights the disconnect between parental concerns and children's values.
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Pride and Identity:
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Mr. Bramble’s pride in his boxing skills is suppressed due to societal expectations and personal concerns about his son’s opinion. Harold's pride in his father's boxing prowess once he learns the truth shows a reversal of these concerns, emphasizing individual pride in family achievements.
Humour and Irony
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Wodehouse employs situational irony throughout the story. The parents' elaborate efforts to protect Harold from the truth backfire spectacularly when Harold embraces the revelation with enthusiasm.
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The humour in the story is gentle and situational, arising from the characters' misunderstandings and the incongruity between Harold’s intellectual pursuits and his father's physical profession.
Narrative Style
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The third-person omniscient narration allows readers to understand the inner thoughts and feelings of multiple characters, particularly the Bramble parents and their misguided but well-meaning efforts.
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The dialogue is witty and reflective of each character's personality, contributing to the story’s charm and pacing.
In conclusion, "Keeping It From Harold" is a delightful exploration of familial love, sacrifice, and the sometimes humorous gap between parental intentions and children's perceptions. Wodehouse's deft use of irony and characterization makes the story both touching and amusing.
The sequence of events has been jumbled up. Rearrange them and complete the given flowchart.
1) Major Percy and Bill come to the house.
2) Harold comes to know that his father is a boxer.
3) Bill tells his wife that he is doing it for Harold.
4) Jerry Fisher tries to convince Bill to reconsider.
5) Mrs. Bramble is amazed to think that she has brought such a prodigy as Harold into the world.
6) Harold wants to know what will happen to the money he had bet on Murphy losing.
7) Mrs. Bramble is informed that Bill had decided not to fight.
8) Mrs. Bramble resumes work of darning the sock.
9) Harold is alone with his mother in their home
……………………
Answer
To rearrange the sequence of events and complete the flowchart, we need to place the events in their logical narrative order. Here's how they can be arranged:
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Mrs. Bramble is amazed to think that she has brought such a prodigy as Harold into the world.
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Event: Mrs. Bramble is amazed to think that she has brought such a prodigy as Harold into the world.
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Flowchart Step 1
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Harold is alone with his mother in their home.
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Event: Harold is alone with his mother in their home.
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Flowchart Step 2
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Major Percy and Bill come to the house.
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Event: Major Percy and Bill come to the house.
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Flowchart Step 3
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Mrs. Bramble is informed that Bill had decided not to fight.
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Event: Mrs. Bramble is informed that Bill had decided not to fight.
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Flowchart Step 4
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Bill tells his wife that he is doing it for Harold.
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Event: Bill tells his wife that he is doing it for Harold.
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Flowchart Step 5
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Jerry Fisher tries to convince Bill to reconsider.
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Event: Jerry Fisher tries to convince Bill to reconsider.
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Flowchart Step 6
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Harold comes to know that his father is a boxer.
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Event: Harold comes to know that his father is a boxer.
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Flowchart Step 7
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Harold wants to know what will happen to the money he had bet on Murphy losing.
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Event: Harold wants to know what will happen to the money he had bet on Murphy losing.
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Flowchart Step 8
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Mrs. Bramble resumes work of darning the sock.
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Event: Mrs. Bramble resumes work of darning the sock.
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Flowchart Step 9
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This sequence logically arranges the events as they unfold in the story. Here is the completed flowchart based on these events:
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Mrs. Bramble is amazed to think that she has brought such a prodigy as Harold into the world.
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Harold is alone with his mother in their home.
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Major Percy and Bill come to the house.
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Mrs. Bramble is informed that Bill had decided not to fight.
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Bill tells his wife that he is doing it for Harold.
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Jerry Fisher tries to convince Bill to reconsider.
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Harold comes to know that his father is a boxer.
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Harold wants to know what will happen to the money he had bet on Murphy losing.
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Mrs. Bramble resumes work of darning the sock.
4.A. Based on your reading of the story, answer the following questions by choosing the correct option.
(a) Mrs Bramble was a proud woman because
(i) she was the wife of a famous boxer.
(ii) she had motivated her husband.
(iii) she was a good housewife
(iv) she was the mother of a child prodigy.
(b) “The very naming of Harold had caused a sacrifice on his part.” The writer’s tone here is
(i) admiring
(ii) assertive
(iii) satirical
(iv) gentle
(c) Harold had defied the laws of heredity by
(i) becoming a sportsperson.
(ii) being good at academics.
(iii) being well-built and muscular
(iv) respecting his parents
(d) Harold felt that he was deprived of the respect that his classmates would give him as _________
(i) they did not know his father was the famous boxer, ‘Young Porky’.
(ii) his hero, Jimmy Murphy had not won the wrestling match.
(iii) he had not got Phil Scott’s autograph.
(iv) Sid Simpson had lost the Lonsdale belt.
(e) ‘It’s hard,’ he said at length in a choked voice.
What was hard according to Mr. Fisher?
(i) To accept the truth.
(ii) To fight with American Murphy.
(iii) To control his anger.
(iv) To give up boxing.
(f) What do you gauge about Major Percy Stokes’ character from the story? Select the
most appropriate option from the following.
(1) man of wrath
(2) persuasive
(3) argumentative
(4) interfering
(5) self-important
(i) (1), (3) and (5)
(ii) (1), (2) and (4)
(iii) (2), (4) and (5)
(iv) (3), (4) and (5)
…………………………………….
Answers
Based on the reading of the story, here are the correct options for each question:
(a) Mrs Bramble was a proud woman because
(iv) she was the mother of a child prodigy.
(b) “The very naming of Harold had caused a sacrifice on his part.” The writer’s tone here is
(iii) satirical
(c) Harold had defied the laws of heredity by
(ii) being good at academics.
(d) Harold felt that he was deprived of the respect that his classmates would give him as
(i) they did not know his father was the famous boxer, ‘Young Porky’.
(e) ‘It’s hard,’ he said at length in a choked voice. What was hard according to Mr. Fisher?
(iv) To give up boxing.
(f) What do you gauge about Major Percy Stokes’ character from the story? Select the most appropriate option from the following.
(iii) (2), (4) and (5)
4.B. Read the given extracts and answer the questions by selecting the correct options.
1. The only drawback was that his very ‘perfection had made necessary a series of
evasions and even deliberate falsehoods on the part of herself and her husband,
highly distasteful to both. They were lovers of truth, but they had realized that there
are times when truth must be sacrificed. At any cost, the facts concerning Mr. Bramble’s
profession must be kept from Harold.
(i) His very ‘perfection’ refers to Harold’s
(1) gentlemanly manners.
(2) aspiration to be the best.
(3) exceptional intelligence.
(4) obsession with cleanliness.
A. (1) and (3)
B. (2) and (3)
C. (1) and (4)
D. (2) and (4)
(ii) What was highly distasteful to both Mrs. and Mr. Bramble?
A. Consciously choosing to lie.
B. Harold’s perfection.
C. Mr. Bramble’s profession.
D. Their relationship with each other.
(iii) The facts concerning Mr. Bramble’s profession ‘must be kept’ from Harold because it would make him feel
A. afraid.
B. ashamed.
C. weird.
D. angry
…………………………………………………………………..
Answers
Based on the given extracts, here are the correct options for each question:
The only drawback was that his very ‘perfection had made necessary a series of evasions and even deliberate falsehoods on the part of herself and her husband, highly distasteful to both. They were lovers of truth, but they had realized that there are times when truth must be sacrificed. At any cost, the facts concerning Mr. Bramble’s profession must be kept from Harold.
(i) His very ‘perfection’ refers to Harold’s
A. (1) and (3) gentlemanly manners and exceptional intelligence.
(ii) What was highly distasteful to both Mrs. and Mr. Bramble?
A. Consciously choosing to lie.
(iii) The facts concerning Mr. Bramble’s profession ‘must be kept’ from Harold because it would make him feel
B. ashamed.
………………………………………….
2. On the faces of three of them consternation was written. In the eyes of the fourth, Mr.
Fisher, there glittered that nasty, steely expression of the man, who sees his way to
getting a bit of his own back, Mr. Fisher’s was not an un-mixedly chivalrous nature.
He considered that he had been treated badly…
(i) Three of them felt anxious because
A. Mr. Fisher was about to hit Major Percy.
B. they suspected Mr. Fisher would take revenge.
C. Harold had heard a part of their conversation.
D. Harold did not like arguments at home.
(ii) Get a bit of his own back implies _____________
A. feeling offended.
B. getting his way.
C. being forceful.
D. taking revenge.
(iii) How was Mr. Fisher planning to get his own back?
A. By telling Harold the truth about his father.
B. By persuading Mr. Bramble to change his mind.
C. By hitting Major Percy and Mr. Bramble.
D. By kidnapping Harold and blackmailing Brambles.
(iv) Mr. Fisher felt he had been treated badly because Mr. Bramble had
A. cheated him and lied
B. called off his fight with Murphy.
C. been spending time with Percy.
D. been insensitive and aggressive.
………………………..
Answer
On the faces of three of them consternation was written. In the eyes of the fourth, Mr. Fisher, there glittered that nasty, steely expression of the man, who sees his way to getting a bit of his own back. Mr. Fisher’s was not an un-mixedly chivalrous nature. He considered that he had been treated badly…
(i) Three of them felt anxious because
B. they suspected Mr. Fisher would take revenge.
(ii) Get a bit of his own back implies _____________
D. taking revenge.
(iii) How was Mr. Fisher planning to get his own back?
A. By telling Harold the truth about his father.
(iv) Mr. Fisher felt he had been treated badly because Mr. Bramble had
B. called off his fight with Murphy.
5.B. Answer in detail.
(a) Did Harold react the way his parents expected him to on finding out about his father’s
true profession? Give reasons for your answer.
(b) Assuming you are Harold, write a letter to your father expressing how you have always
admired Young Pokey, little realizing it was his Pa.
(c) We often go with preconceived notions which are usually baseless. Do you think this
was the case with Mrs. and Mr. Bramble? Give reasons for your answer.
(d) Imagine you are Bill Bramble, write a diary entry expressing how life changed after
your son’s birth and how you feel currently after the truth about your profession has
been revealed to your son.
………………………………………………
5.B. Answer in detail.
(a) Did Harold react the way his parents expected him to on finding out about his father’s true profession? Give reasons for your answer.
Harold did not react the way his parents expected him to when he found out about his father’s true profession. Mr. and Mrs. Bramble had anticipated that Harold would be ashamed or embarrassed to learn that his father was a boxer. They feared that it would harm his social standing and academic focus. However, Harold’s reaction was quite the opposite. He was disappointed, not because of his father’s profession, but because they had kept it a secret from him. Harold had admired the boxer “Young Porky” without knowing it was his own father and felt deprived of the respect and admiration he could have enjoyed among his peers. This reaction highlighted how their preconceived notions about Harold’s perspective were misguided.
(b) Assuming you are Harold, write a letter to your father expressing how you have always admired Young Porky, little realizing it was his Pa.
Dear Pa,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to you with a mix of astonishment and admiration, feelings that have been swirling inside me since the recent revelations.
For years, I have harboured a deep admiration for Young Porky, a boxer whose prowess and sportsmanship I greatly respected. Little did I realize that the man I looked up to with such reverence was, in fact, my own father. This discovery has left me both proud and bewildered.
Proud because I now know that my hero is you, Pa. You have shown incredible strength, not just in the ring, but in your dedication to our family and in the sacrifices you made for my sake. Bewildered because I wish I had known sooner. Knowing that my father is the famous Young Porky would have been a source of immense pride and confidence for me.
I understand that you and Ma kept this secret to protect me, to ensure I focused on my studies without distraction. But Pa, please know that my admiration for you has only grown stronger. You are a champion not only in the ring but in life. Your humility and love for us are more valuable than any title.
I am eager to learn more about your boxing days and share this newfound pride with you. Thank you for everything you have done for our family. I am proud to be your son.
With love and respect,
Harold
(c) We often go with preconceived notions which are usually baseless. Do you think this was the case with Mrs. and Mr. Bramble? Give reasons for your answer.
Yes, this was certainly the case with Mrs. and Mr. Bramble. They held the preconceived notion that Harold would be ashamed of his father’s profession as a boxer. They believed that because Harold was a child prodigy and academically inclined, he would look down upon boxing as a less respectable profession. This assumption led them to hide the truth from Harold, fearing it would negatively impact his social standing and personal dignity.
However, these fears were baseless. When Harold learned the truth, he did not feel ashamed; instead, he felt deprived of the opportunity to take pride in his father's achievements. Harold had admired the boxer Young Porky without knowing it was his father, which indicates that he had no inherent bias against the profession itself. This scenario underscores how Mrs. and Mr. Bramble’s assumptions about their son's likely reactions were unfounded and led to unnecessary secrecy and emotional distance.
(d) Imagine you are Bill Bramble, write a diary entry expressing how life changed after your son’s birth and how you feel currently after the truth about your profession has been revealed to your son.
May 27, 2024
Dear Diary,
Life has taken quite a turn today, and I find myself reflecting on the journey since Harold was born. From the moment he entered our lives, everything changed. As a father, I was determined to provide the best for him, to ensure he had opportunities I never dreamed of. My profession as a boxer, though it brought us financial stability, seemed a potential source of shame for a child so gifted and bright.
Emily and I decided early on to keep my career a secret from Harold, believing it was in his best interest. We feared he would be embarrassed or that his peers would mock him. How wrong we were. Today, when Harold discovered that I am Young Porky, he did not react with shame or disdain. Instead, he was upset that we had hidden the truth from him, feeling deprived of the pride he could have felt knowing his father was a respected sportsman.
I am filled with a mix of regret and relief. Regret for underestimating my son, for not giving him the chance to embrace all aspects of our family’s life. Relief because now there are no more secrets. Harold’s reaction showed me that he is more understanding and mature than I had given him credit for.
This revelation has lifted a weight off my shoulders. I no longer have to live a double life, pretending to be someone I am not in front of my own son. Harold’s admiration for me, both as his father and as a boxer, has renewed my own pride in my profession. I am determined to make the most of this new chapter, embracing honesty and openness in our family.
Life after Harold's birth has been a journey of love, sacrifice, and now, understanding. I am grateful for this moment of clarity and for the bond it has strengthened between us. Moving forward, I hope to share more of my boxing experiences with Harold and to support him in all his endeavors, knowing that he respects me for
who I truly am.
Yours truly,
Bill
Writing Task
8. Many people are of the opinion that violent, physical sports such as boxing,
kick boxing and wrestling, to name a few should be banned while others think
otherwise. Express your opinion on the topic by either writing in favour of
banning these sports or against banning them. While writing, you should
also include the rebuttal to your questions. Try not to go beyond 200 words.
8. Opinion on Banning Violent Physical Sports
Against Banning Violent Physical Sports
While the dangers of sports like boxing, kickboxing, and wrestling are undeniable, banning them is not the solution. These sports, though violent, have significant benefits that extend beyond physical fitness. They teach discipline, resilience, and respect, and they provide a structured outlet for aggression that might otherwise manifest in harmful ways. For many athletes, these sports are not only a passion but also a career that allows them to support their families.
A complete ban would also undermine the autonomy of individuals to choose their own paths and partake in activities they enjoy. The focus should rather be on implementing stricter safety regulations and ensuring proper training to minimize risks. Protective gear, routine medical check-ups, and strict supervision during matches can significantly reduce the potential for injury.
Rebuttals to the arguments for banning often cite the health risks and the glorification of violence. However, with proper safety measures, the risks can be managed. Moreover, the argument that these sports glorify violence overlooks the fact that participants and fans often appreciate the skill and strategy involved, rather than the violence itself. Education on the ethical conduct of these sports can also help shift public perception.
Thus, instead of banning these sports, we should focus on making them safer and educating both participants and the public on their true nature and benefits.
9. A large part of the story is composed of conversation between the characters.
Can you convert it into a play and in groups, present your version of the play
before the class? Before that, decide on the members of the cast, minimum
props required and also the costumes.
Answers
9. Converting "Keeping it from Harold" into a Play
Cast:
Mr. Bill Bramble: A professional boxer known as "Young Porky"
Mrs. Emily Bramble: Bill's supportive and proud wife
Harold Bramble: Their intelligent and scholarly son
Major Percy Stokes: Emily’s brother, concerned about the family's reputation
Jerry Fisher: Bill’s boxing trainer
Props:
Living room setup with a sofa, chairs, and a table
A pair of boxing gloves
A sock and darning needle (for Mrs. Bramble)
A newspaper
A school bag for Harold
A letter or envelope
Costumes:
Mr. Bramble: Casual clothes for home scenes, boxing attire for training scenes
Mrs. Bramble: A simple house dress
Harold: School uniform
Major Percy Stokes: Formal suit
Jerry Fisher: Sporty attire, indicative of a trainer
Scene 1: The Bramble Living Room
(Mrs. Bramble is darning a sock. Mr. Bramble enters, looking worried.)
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Mr. Bramble: (Sighs) Emily, I don’t know if I can go through with this fight.
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Mrs. Bramble: (Concerned) But Bill, it’s for Harold’s future.
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Mr. Bramble: (Nods) Yes, but what if he finds out?
Scene 2: Harold's Discovery
(Harold enters with his school bag, looking curious.)
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Harold: Mum, Dad, what’s all this fuss about a fight?
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Mrs. Bramble: (Nervously) Oh, it’s nothing, dear. Just a little misunderstanding.
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Harold: (Firmly) I know there’s more to it. Tell me the truth.
Scene 3: Major Percy and Jerry Fisher Arrive
(Major Percy and Jerry Fisher enter the living room.)
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Major Percy: Bill, you mustn’t go through with this. Think of Harold’s reputation.
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Jerry Fisher: Bill, you’re at the top of your game. Don’t back out now.
Scene 4: The Revelation
(Bill stands up, conflicted.)
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Mr. Bramble: (With determination) Harold, I’m a boxer. They call me "Young Porky."
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Harold: (Surprised, then proud) You’re Young Porky? Why didn’t you tell me? I’m so proud of you, Dad!
Scene 5: Resolution
(The family hugs, and Jerry Fisher and Major Percy exchange looks of relief.)
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Mrs. Bramble: (Smiling) We should never have doubted you, Harold.
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Mr. Bramble: (Grinning) Let’s face this together, as a family.
Curtain Closes
By converting the story into a play, students can engage with the material in a dynamic way, understanding the characters and their motivations more deeply through performance. This activity also encourages teamwork and creativity.