Part 1, Chapters 5, 6 and 7 Summary

These chapters tell the story of Tom's first few months at school, which are also the last few months of the term. The novel's principal antagonist, the bully Flashman, is introduced.

Chapter 5 - Rugby and Football: Upon his arrival at the school, Tom is shown around by East who has only been at school six months but is already confident in his knowledge and his worth by simply being at Rugby. East tells Tom he's arrived on a good day - his (East's) house is going to play in a game of football (soccer). After a noisy meal in the common room and an equally noisy roll call, Tom joins the rest of the students rushing out to the football pitch. He asks East whether Brooke, the team captain, will let him play, but East firmly tells him that...