To Sir with Love

Music arises multiple times within the novel. Why and how is music significant to the students at Greenslade? To the narrator?

Some criticism argues that the book ends rather abruptly. Are you satisfied with this ending? Why or why not?

When the book was made into a film in 1967, the setting changed from post-war England to 1960s America. How might this change thematically alter the story? What elements of the narrative would this change obfuscate?

Do you think that Blanchard and Braithwaite will get married? Why or why not?

What role(s) do Mr. and Mrs. Belmont serve within the novel? Are they important to its narrative progression or themes? Why or why not?

Several times within the novel, Braithwaite faces unadulterated racism. Does his reaction to these instances change as the novel develops? How do his reactions reflect both his interpersonal relationships and his understanding of society at large?

Both Braithwaite and his students undergo growth throughout the novel. Do you believe the novel is centered on the growth of his students or on Braithwaite himself? Defend your answer using evidence from the text.

This novel is based on the life experiences of the author, but it is labeled as a work of fiction. Why did the author chose to write a fictionalized account of his life? Do you think the work would have had more of an impact if it had been nonfiction? Why or why not?