Honor and Reputation

The book explores how a single act of cowardice can destroy a student's standing within the school community, and how regaining honor requires proving oneself through physical or academic achievement.

The house's honor is at stake; Drummond's silence and Stanning's gossip revolve around protecting or destroying reputations.

Drummond worries about the house's reputation if Sheen boxes; Sheen hopes winning the Gotford will restore his standing.

Sheen wants to wipe out the stain on his honor and the house's honor; Stanning fakes injury to protect his reputation.

The court-martial and subsequent revelation of Sheen's victory highlight the importance of honor and the fragility of reputation.