The Browning Version NCERT Solutions Class 11 PDF Download 2026

Ans: Taplow's attitude towards Crocker-Harris is a complex mixture of intense fear and genuine respect. On the surface, Taplow fears his strictness and calls him "hardly human." He is terrified of his unpredictability, especially regarding his 'remove' (result). However, beneath this fear, Taplow admits that he rather likes him. He defends Crocker-Harris to Frank, stating that he is not a "sadist" who enjoys causing pain. Taplow respects Crocker-Harris because he is unbiased, strictly follows the rules, and doesn't play favorites like other masters.

Ans: Yes, Frank definitely encourages Taplow's comments on Crocker-Harris. Frank behaves very unprofessionally for a teacher. He asks leading questions to make Taplow speak more about Crocker-Harris. When Taplow mimics Crocker-Harris's voice, Frank asks him to repeat it. He openly admits that he is envious of the incredible effect Crocker-Harris has on the boys. Frank tries to find out if Crocker-Harris uses physical punishment (calling him a sadist), showing his malicious curiosity and jealousy.

Ans: Crocker-Harris emerges as a highly principled, extraordinarily strict, and emotionally suppressed teacher. He is a man of his word; he doesn't tell students their results before the official announcement, unlike other teachers. He is not a sadist, but he is completely devoid of external emotions, appearing "shrivelled up inside like a nut." The most unique aspect of his character is that he seems to genuinely hate it when people like him. Despite his cold exterior, he commands immense, almost terrifying respect from his students.

Ans: Taplow is waiting for Mr. Crocker-Harris to do "extra work." He missed a day of school the previous week because he was ill, so Crocker-Harris ordered him to come in on the last day of the term to make up for the lost time.

Ans: The 'remove' refers to the student's result or promotion to the next class. In Taplow's school, the rule states that results should only be announced by the headmaster on the last day of the term.

Ans: Frank admits that all the other teachers, including himself, ignore the rule and tell the students their results before the headmaster announces them. Crocker-Harris is the only master who strictly abides by the rule.

Ans: Taplow dislikes the Greek play 'Agamemnon', not because of its plot, but because of the boring way it is taught (a lot of Greek words and punishment for mistakes). He finds Science much more exciting and wishes to specialize in it next term.

Ans: Taplow laughed at one of Crocker-Harris's classical jokes out of sheer pity, even though he didn't understand it. Instead of being pleased, Crocker-Harris noted that Taplow's Latin must have improved and asked him to explain the joke to the rest of the class, humiliating him.

Ans: Millie Crocker-Harris is Mr. Crocker-Harris's wife. She is described as a thin woman in her late thirties. Unlike other schoolmasters' wives, she dresses quite smartly and enters the scene wearing a cape and carrying a shopping basket.

Ans: Frank and Crocker-Harris represent two completely opposite types of teachers.
Frank is young, modern, and easy-going. However, he lacks professional ethics. He gossips with a student, encourages Taplow to mock a senior colleague, and openly admits his envy. He breaks rules by telling results early.
Crocker-Harris, on the other hand, is a strict traditionalist. He follows the school rules rigidly, never revealing results early. He is emotionally detached and doesn't seek cheap popularity. Despite being feared, he commands deep respect, whereas Frank, despite being friendly, does not earn the same level of profound reverence from Taplow.

Ans: Taplow tells Frank that a sadist is someone who gets pleasure out of inflicting pain. He says Crocker-Harris is not a sadist because being a sadist would mean he has *some* feelings. Instead, Crocker-Harris seems to have no feelings at all; he is "shrivelled up inside like a nut." Taplow finds this absolute emotional void terrifying. He finds it deeply disturbing that a teacher would actively hate it when a student likes him, making him far more unpredictable and frightening than a master who simply gets angry and hits students.

Ans: Taplow is terrified of leaving because Crocker-Harris ordered him to wait. He fears the consequences of running away. When Millie arrives, she tells Taplow that her husband is at the Bursar's and will be late. She suggests Taplow should leave and play golf. When Taplow hesitates out of fear, Millie resolves the dilemma by giving him a prescription and sending him to the chemist. She tells him that if Crocker-Harris returns, she will take the blame, providing Taplow with a legitimate excuse to escape his "extra work."

Ans: The play masterfully explores the complex dynamics between teachers and students. It highlights that students are highly perceptive. They easily see through teachers who seek cheap popularity (like Frank) and often prefer teachers who are fair, firm, and principled (like Crocker-Harris). Taplow fears Crocker-Harris but respects him immensely because his strictness is rooted in principle, not malice. The play suggests that a successful teacher-student relationship isn't necessarily built on friendliness, but on mutual respect, consistency, and fairness, even if the teacher is emotionally distant.

Ans: Frank is envious because he sees that Crocker-Harris, despite being cold and strict, holds a god-like authority and commands absolute obedience and underlying respect from the students. Frank, despite trying to be the "cool" and friendly teacher, lacks this profound control. This reveals Frank's professional insecurity and immaturity, showing that he measures his success by his popularity rather than his teaching effectiveness.

Ans: This statement highlights Crocker-Harris's psychological uniqueness. Most humans, especially teachers, naturally desire affection and popularity. Crocker-Harris, however, deliberately pushes people away. If a student shows affection, he retreats further into his shell, showing a deep-seated fear of emotional vulnerability.

Ans: These are the words of Mr. Crocker-Harris, mimicking what he told Taplow when Taplow asked about his result. They imply that Crocker-Harris is brutally fair and objective. He does not favor anyone, nor does he penalize unfairly. He strictly evaluates students solely on their merit.

Ans: Frank suggests that since Crocker-Harris is already ten minutes late, Taplow should just "cut" (run away) and go play golf, as Crocker-Harris probably wouldn't find out.

Ans: Taplow was horrified because he and Frank were making fun of Crocker-Harris. If Millie had overheard them and reported it to her husband, Taplow feared that Crocker-Harris would fail him and his "remove would be gone."