Mike · Chapter
XLII: Jellicoe Goes on the Sick-List explained
Mike wakes up feeling low-spirited after lending Jellicoe his money and facing detention.
What happens
Mike wakes up feeling low-spirited after lending Jellicoe his money and facing detention. During the Old Boys' match, Jellicoe is accidentally hit on the ankle by a drive from Dunster and has to be helped off the field. Mr. Downing, still angry about the previous day's deliberate rag, singles out Mike in a sarcastic and then blunt tirade during form, but is interrupted by a shuffling noise and loses his train of thought.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story's dramatic climax because it represents the emotional and psychological peak where months of…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Rebellion Versus Authority
Mr. Downing's angry lecture targets Mike for his role in the deliberate rag, highlighting the tension between student pranks and master authority.
- Ambition and Sacrifice
Mike's cricketing abilities are concealed, leading to conflict with Mr. Downing, who criticizes him for not placing his talents at the school's disposal.
Characters to notice
- Mike Jackson
Feels stiff and low-spirited after lending Jellicoe money and facing detention; is the target of Mr. Downing's sarcastic and angry lecture.
- Jellicoe
Cheerful and grateful after receiving money from Mike; is hit on the ankle by a drive from Dunster and has to be helped off the field.
- Psmith
Asks Jellicoe to stop his 'farmyard imitations' while dressing.
- Mr. Downing
In a sarcastic mood, singles out Mike for his role in the previous day's rag; loses his inspiration when interrupted by a shuffling noise.
- Dunster
The Old Boy whose drive hits Jellicoe; apologizes and helps Jellicoe off the field.
- Macpherson
Accused by Mr. Downing of shuffling his feet, but denies it.
Key passages
“You must hang back in order to make a more effective entrance, like some wretched actor who—I will not have this shuffling.”
Mr. Downing accuses Mike of deliberately hiding his cricketing skill to create a dramatic effect, then is distracted by a shuffling noise.
Downing's sarcasm breaks down as he loses his train of thought over a minor disturbance.
“He uttered a yell and sprang into the air. After which he sat down and began to nurse his ankle.”
Jellicoe is hit on the ankle by a cricket ball, yells, jumps, and then sits down to tend to his injury.
The accident that puts Jellicoe on the sick-list.
