The caning incident (chapter 7)

The caning incident in chapter 7 sheds light on what is going on inside the Haywards’ and at the same time it gives us a new insight into Keith's character and behaviour.

When Mr. Hayward utters the word “thermos”, Keith turns red and understands he is being accused of a crime he cannot even identify. Little by little, we see how he suffers as he understands that the thermos flask is missing and his father thinks he has taken it. He can only limit himself to look at the ground, as he knows that even when he speaks the truth: “I didn´t take it”, he won't be believed. His defencelessness in this section of the novel offers a striking contrast with the leading role he takes in his relationship with Keith in other chapters.

Spies- Chapter 7

True or false? Underline a quotation in the book that justifies your answer

1. The narrator wonders about the way in which he understood what was happening at the time the events took place.
2. Stephen didn´t dare go to the Haywards'
3. Stephen and Keith only played together at Braemar now
4. The old Stephen stares at a pot of geraniums that stand today at the same spot where his former self used to sit in the lookout.
5. The narrator imagines how a boy who is looking out of the window interprets his behaviour.
6. This boy interprets the narrator´s intentions correctly, showing that children can see through adult´s inner conflicts perfectly well.
7. Stephen realised he had betrayed Mrs Hayward´s trust
8. However, he thought he had done nothing wrong
9. He had the impression things in the world were more complex than he had supposed.
10. It was easier for Stephen to order his thoughts when he was far away from Keith´s influence.
11. Stephen realised Mrs Hayward was behaving as suspiciously as a spy
12. He was firmly convinced she was a German
13. He believed the hidden man was a German
14. He believed the hidden man was a tramp
15. He believed the hidden man was an old German tramp
16. He believed the hidden man was Auntie Dee´s boyfriend
17. He believed the hidden man was Mrs Hayward´s lover

Answer these questions:

1. When Stephen steps into the Haywards´hall, he feels “the old familiar order recomposes itself (...)” “everything is back to what it was”. Does this prove true when he enters Keith´s room? How is Keith´s behaviour different? How does Stephen interpret his behaviour? In your opinion, what other reasons may he have for not wanting to continue their investigation?
2. How would you describe Mr Haywards´s behaviour? Look for a simile in the text. Pay attention to the way he speaks, to his words and his gestures.
3. How does Keith behave? Do you feel sympathy for him? What clue(s) are there that this kind of canning is usual practice at the Haywards´?
4. How does Stephen want to help Keith?
5. How far do you agree with Stephen´s view: “The game´s not over. It´s simply become a more terrible kind of game.”
6. Why is the sharpening of the bayonet such a frightening event?
7. In what ways is Stephen´s decision to look for Mrs Hayward similar/different to his previous behaviour?
8. What do the last two lines of the chapter show about Mrs Hayward´s behaviour?