Summary of the novel

The novel tells the story of a much-beloved schoolteacher, Mr. Chipping, and his forty-three-year-long tenure at
Brookfield Grammar School, a fictional second-rate British boys public boarding school located in the fictional village
of Brookfield, situated in the Fenlands. Mr. Chipping has a rigidly orthodox personality; conventional in manner and
beliefs, very pedantic about education, and (an unpopular) disciplinarian with students. Brookfield's headmaster and
faculty call him Chips, while the boys call him Ditchy (short for ditchwater). He conquers his inability to connect with
his students, as well as his initial shyness, when he marries Katherine, a young woman whom he meets on holiday,
and who quickly picks up on calling him by his nickname, "Chips". Katherine charms the Brookfield faculty and
Headmaster with her personality, and quickly wins the favor of Brookfield's students, who call her Mrs Chips. Despite
Chipping's own mediocre academic record, and the sense that Greek and Latin (his academic subjects) are
becoming obsolete, he goes on to have an illustrious career as an inspiring educatorstill demanding, but fairat
Brookfield. In his later years, his sense of humour blooms into a quaint richness that pleases everyone, but is without
any malice.
Although the book is unabashedly sentimental, it also depicts the sweeping social changes that Chips experiences
throughout his life: he begins his tenure at Brookfield in September 1870, at the age of 22, as the Franco-Prussian
War was breaking out and lay on his deathbed shortly after Adolf Hitler's rise to power, in November 1933, at the age
of 85. He was seen as an individual who was able to connect to anyone on a human level, beyond what he (by proxy
of his late wife) viewed as petty politics, such as the strikers, the Boers, and a German friend.

Chips early life:

Mr. Chips, an old man of eight five, sitting in a room in the house of Mrs. Wickett, recalls to
his memory all the events of his long life one by one. Chips (Chipping) was born in 1848.
After completing his education at the age of 21, he started teaching as the Melbury school.
After one year, he joined the Brookfield school as a teacher in 1870. Brookfield was an old
grammar school of second rate. At that time, Me. Wetherby was the headmaster of this
school. He advised Chips to have good discipline in the classes. Chips met his first class of
500 boys in a big room. Boys tried to trouble him. Mr. Chips took a attitude from the very
beginning.

Marriage with Katherine:

Chips remained a bachelor till he was forty eight. He visited the Lake District in the summer
vacation of 1896 with a fellow teacher Rowden. He met Katherine Bridges on a mountain.
Great Gable in the Lake District. He fell in love with Katherine. She was about twenty five
years younger than Chips. They loved with each other greatly. They got married in London.

Katherines influence:
The marriage had a very good effect on Chips. He was very happy after his marriage. His
discipline in his classes became better. His teaching became interesting. He became broadminded and began making jokes in his classes Katherine became quite popular at
Brookfield. She gave him good pieces of advice and went with him to the parties of the

school. She even knew singing and often sung to his pleasure. After two years of her
marriage Katherine died in 1898.

After Katherines death:

Chips became very serious after Katherines death. He looked old man at the age of 50
years. He was a senior teacher now. His classes improved much. He did not change his
gown even if it got tattered.

Ralston-The new headmaster:

After the death of Welbery Meldrum had become the headmaster of the Brookfield. He
worked as headmaster till his death in 1900 for thirty years. After the death of Meldrum
Chips became acting headmaster of the school. In 1900, a young man of thirty seven,
Ralston became the headmaster. He was quite strict towards the boys and kept good
discipline in the school.

Chips quarrel with Ralston:

Chips did not like Ralstons attitude towards others. Ralston also did not like Chips way of
teaching and habit. Chips was and old fashioned person while Ralston had modern ideas
about life. He objected to chips method of teaching and dress. He asked Chips to resign but
Chips refused. The board of governors running the school supported Chips and kept him in
the school.

Chips resignation:
In 1911, Ralston left Brookfield and a young man Chatteris aged 34 became the new
headmaster in 1913, Chips resigned at the age of 65, as he had fallen seriously ill. The
school gave a grand farewell party to Chips.

Visit to Germany:
Mr. Chips had severe attack of bronchitis which fasted for six months before retirement.
Soon after his retirement from service, he went to Germany for a few months for medical
treatment. In September 1913, he returned from Germany.

Rented room at Mrs. Wicetts house:

After returning from Germany, Chips rented a room in Mrs. Wicketts house across the road
from the school. He went on visiting Brookfield and working for it. Now he was very healthy.
His life ar Mrs. Wickeets house was quite happy. He passed his time in reading novels,
writing articles, meeting old Brookfield boys and watching games at the school play ground.

Employed again:
In 1916, during the first world war, Chips again joined the Brookfield school as a teacher
when the headmaster Chatteris asked him to do so. The next year in 1917, Chatteris fell
seriously ill and Chips became the acting headmaster in his place. When Chatteris died in
April, 1918, Chips went on working as headmaster. In November 1918 the first world war
came to an end. Chips again fell seriously ill and again resigned from service.

Chips life after second retirement:

Mr. Chips passed most of his time at Mrs. Wicketts house after his second retirement. He
welcomed old students of Brookfield at his house and entertained them well. He
remembered his past as a teacher, and his dead wife in 1930, Chips made his will.

Last scene- Chips death:

In November 1933, Chips suddenly fell ill. He became unconscious. At last, he died