Sunday, August 17, 2014

What is the summary of Chapter 4 of To Sir, with Love?

Upon demobilization from the Royal Air Force, Mr.
Braithwaite was confident that he would have no trouble finding a job. He had "a science
degree and varied experience in engineering technology," and, after being interviewed by
representatives of the Appointments Office, was given a list of three firms which had
vacancies for qualified Communications Engineers. After promptly submitting his resumes
to these companies, Mr. Braithwaite received invitations to interview with each of them.
Upon reporting for the first of these interviews, however, he was surprised to be
greeted with "silent hostility" by the receptionist, who curtly ushered him to his
appointment. The interview itself went extremely well, in Mr. Braithwaite's estimation,
and when it was over, the head interviewer complimented him on his qualifications and
obvious knowledge in the field. He concluded, however, that he would be unable to offer
Mr. Braithwaite employment, because the job for which he was applying would require that
he be placed in a position of authority over a number of English employees, which would
"adversely affect the balance of good relationship which has always obtained in (the)
firm." In other words, Mr. Braithwaite could not be hired because of the color of his
skin.


Stunned, Mr. Braithwaite called the other two
companies which had offered him interviews, and told them straight out that he was a
Negro. In both cases, he was politely told that the positions, sadly, had already been
filled, and that it had been their intention to let him know this through written
correspondence.


Mr. Braithwaite, angry and resentful,
reflects on the "British Way of Life" which is so appealing to colonial people, and
which, despite outward profession to the contrary, remains unattainable to individuals
of color. Unlike in America, where racism during the post World War II years is "open,
obvious, (and) blatant," prejudice in Britain is more subtle, but no less a betrayal.
Realizing that essentially, he is an outsider, "British, but evidently not a Briton,"
Mr. Braithwaite reappraises his future. Resolving to make the best of his situation, he
considers that his savings will last for about two years, which will be "plenty of time"
to find the employment he is sure exists for him if he only looks hard enough (Chapter
4).

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