Happiest Days: The Public Schools in English Fiction

by Jeffrey Richards

This book examines the nature, role and function of the public school story in British culture and society. It traces the history, development and influence of the genre on attitudes and opinions in the period of just over a century from its inauguration with Thomas Hughes's "Tom Brown's Schooldays" to its apotheosis in the Greyfriars stories of Frank Richards. Arguing that fiction not only reflects but creates public opinion, the book focuses on eleven key works to highlight themes and variations, continuities and changes in the genre, and to illustrate the differing reactions of high culture and popular culture to the public schools. The case studies include Kipling's "Stalky and Co", Dean Farrar's "Eric", P.G.Wodehouse's "Mike", E.M.Forster's "The Longest Journey", and James Hilton's "Goodbye Mr Chips". In each case Jeffrey Richards examines how reality was transformed into fiction and how the fiction was received by the public and helped to shape its perceptions. The book will be valuable reading for undergraduates and academics interested in cultural studies, literature and social history.

Paperback

First published July 1, 1988

About the author

Jeffrey Richards is Professor of Cultural History at Lancaster University.