Character sketch of Mr.

Chips
Biography:
The novel is nothing but an account of the experiences of Mr. Chips life. That is why it is often
called a biographical novel. Mr. Chips was born in 1848. He graduated from Cambridge. He joined
Melbery public school in 1869 at the age of 21. He worked there only for one year and then joined
Brookfield public school in 1870. He proved his worth here. He married Katherine Bridges at the age of
48. His wife died two years later. He served Brookfield for a long period of 42 years. He retired in 1913,
but again joined Brookfield in 1916. He finally retired from service in 1918. After his retirement he lived in
the house of Mr. Wickett, opposite to school andremained in close contact with the school activities. He
died in November 1933.
1.

Not Ambitious:
Mr. Chips was not very ambitious in life. His only aim was to become the second master in the
school. He no lofty aims. He had an average degree which did not offer him much chances of
progress in life. He had no private means nor important family connection to pull him up in life.

2.

Devoted Teacher:
Mr. Chips was very much devoted to his profession. He was diligent and dutiful. In spite of the
fact that he had mediocre academic degree, he proved himself an efficient teacher. He liked his
work at school and took great interest in it. He taught his classes regularly and with devotion. One
day there was an air attack dring the war while Chips was taking a class. He went on teaching all
through the attack.

3.

Popular Teacher:
He was respected and honoured not only by the students, their parents but also by his collegues.
He produced love, self-confidence and sincerity in his students. His row with Ralston placed him
at the top of his glory and he became very popular in Brookfield.

4.

Friendly Relations:
Mr. Chips had very friendly relations with other teachers and students. His attitude towards his
students was really fatherly. All the students their parents and teacher liked him for his fine
behavior. They all supported him when he had a quarrel with headmaster Ralston.

5.

Genial and Humorous:

Chips was a dry person before his marriage but his marriage with Katherine, his sense of
humour developed. He knew how to make pleasant jokes. While teaching he made his students

laugh. This made his teaching highly interesting. Students would ask him questions with a view to
having some humorous answers.
6.

His Generosity:

7. Mr. Chips was very generous in his nature. He gave money to the needy persons. In his will he
gave money to Mrs. Wickett and the school for opening a school scholarship. This shows his
great love for his school. He also donated amounts to the Brookfield mission which ran the
school.
8.

Conventional and Old-Fashioned:

Mr. Chips did not like modern trends. He did not favour modern ideasabout the freedom of
women. He adhered to the old customs and traditions. He never travelled under the influence
of Katherine, yet at heart he remained a typical conservative.

9.

Emotional and Bold:

Mr. Chips was quite emotional. At the age of forty eight, he fell in love with KatherineBridges
much younger than him. He was also very bold person. When Ralston asked him to retire, he
refused. He also refused to change his old methods of teaching. He frankely told others about
his ideasand opposed others when they asked him to do anything against his will opposed others
when they asked him to do anything against his will.

10. Imaginative

and Loving:

Chips was very imaginativeperson. He always lived in his thoughts about the past. He
remembered his past clearly. He remembered his wife after her death and imagined how she
used to talk and sing to him. He was also very faithful, good loving husband.

On the whole, Mr. Chips was a genial good-natured, affectionate man devoted to teaching
profession considerate to others and humorous fellow. He was a nice gentleman loved and
hunoured by the whole Brookfield.