Chapter 2, 1963-1967 Summary and Analysis

In chapter two, after finishing at Cliff View House, Richard goes to Stowe in Buckinghamshire. Stowe is an eight hundred boy public school where playing sports can save new students from "fagging," or hazing by the older boys. Richard cannot participate from his knee injury and his academics are not improved. Consequently, he is at the bottom of his class and a target for bullying. He hides in the library to avoid them and write a novel about sexual fantasies. He meets Jonathan Holland-Gems, the son of a successful playwright. He grows interested in becoming a journalist. Richard writes a short story with which to compete in the Junior Gavin Maxwell Prize contest that he wins. Gavin Maxwell and Gavin Young present the prize. Richard's English improves to third place in his class, but he remains slow in math...