Goodbye, Mr.Chips was the story of a gentle, English schoolmaster who became very popular with all his students, because of his lovable attitude and his wonderful sense of humor. To be perfectly honest, the story was actually pretty boring, but it had several interesting and significant messages...
One of the important themes that the author, James Hilton, wanted the reader to take away was the clash or conflict that had often existed between the new generation, and the old generation. For instance, in the story when Chips had taught in the Brookfield school for almost fifty years, the headmaster, Ralston suggested that Chips should retire. As a matter of fact, he directly told Chips that his teaching methods were out-dated and his personal habits were slovenly. Ralston even said that Chips had become an old man who was especially insubordinate. Chips responded to this just as stubbornly, and he said that he liked the way that he taught his students and that he would continue to do so in the future.
English: Students in Kalaymyo, Myanmar
Woman teaching geometry, from Euclid's Elements.
Comparison of research results on reading speed En...This really showed the differences in the ideas of the new generation, and the old generation. Another important message that the author wanted to take away was that people should just be like themselves. At the beginning, when Chips first started teaching, he acted as though he was a very strict individual. It was because of this attitude that many of Chips' students did not like him at first, however, Chips soon learned to be like himself. After that, he did not have any problems with his students, who were especially fond of his humorous, and benevolent personality.
The book had several significant quotes. The first one obviously, is "Goodbye, Mr.Chips". The quote is important because this is what the whole story is based upon.
Goodbye, Mr. Chips
Yours is an interesting report written at the ninth grade level, although I don't agree with your conclusion that teachers should be strict in an attempt to gain respect. Still, I'm glad you chose for your essay James Hilton's heartwarming fictional account of what it takes to be a good teacher. I have never believed that great intelligence was the most important characteristic of a good teacher. Certainly, it helps if a teacher is intelligent but far more important is that the teacher possess humanity. A good teacher shows compassion and understanding toward students. A teacher is dealing with young people who are impressionable and vulnerable. A teacher can be a force for great good or can be a destructive influence. Teaching is an easy job only if it is done poorly. Too many people seek careers in teaching so that they can have an easy life, but the best teachers don't have an easy life. They take an interest in the problems that plague the young people they are entrusted to help. Ole Chippings was merely a highly intelligent, yet mediocre, teacher until he learned what it meant to be a human being and his students benefited immeasurably from his transformation. Goodbye, Mr. Chips--your memory lives on in the heart of every good teacher who cares for the young people who are our future.
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