# Dr. Arnold — Tom Brown’s School Days character guide

> Dr. Arnold in Tom Brown’s School Days by Thomas Hughes.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the Doctor, The Doctor

**First appearance:** 0005-part-i-v-rugby-and-football

## Snapshot

The Doctor presides over Rugby as headmaster and moral weather-maker, whose notice can lift a boy to tea upstairs or drop him into disgrace.

## Who they are

Dr. Arnold governs the Schoolhouse less by rules than by the force of his character, so that a summons to tea with the Doctor is a small social coronation for a boy like Tom. His wife arranges the chumming of Arthur with Tom, and the matron carries out the Doctor's household policy with diplomatic skill, showing how thoroughly the headmaster's moral design reaches into the smallest corners of school life. Boys measure themselves against his approval long before they understand what he is trying to make of them.

## In the story

### [After the Match](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/chapters/part-i-vi-after-the-match)

The Doctor is praised by old Brooke for his reforms and for encouraging sports like football, though he is still feared by many boys.

### [Settling to the Collar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/chapters/part-i-vii-settling-to-the-collar)

Shows kindness to the late-coming boys; delivers a powerful sermon that deeply affects Tom and the school.

### [The War of Independence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/chapters/part-i-viii-the-war-of-independence)

Referenced as the ultimate authority; Tom wishes he would catch Flashman at brandy-punch.

### [Arthur Makes a Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/chapters/part-ii-iii-arthur-makes-a-friend)

Intervenes after Martin's chemistry experiment causes a fire, advising him to stop practicing chemistry alone.

### [Fever in the School](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/chapters/part-ii-vi-fever-in-the-school)

Addresses the school about the fever, gives a memorable sermon after Thompson's death, and administers the Sacrament to Arthur during his illness.

### [VII: Harry East’s Dilemmas and Deliverances](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/chapters/part-ii-vii-harry-east-s-dilemmas-and-deliverances)

The Doctor is sought out by East for guidance about confirmation and is shown as a supportive figure.

### [Tom Brown's Last Match](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/chapters/part-ii-viii-tom-brown-s-last-match)

Praised by the master for his wise and strong rule; his reforms are discussed.

### [IX: Finis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/chapters/part-ii-ix-finis)

Recently deceased; his death is the central event of the chapter.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/characters/the_doctor
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tom_brown_s_school_days_se/characters