Swami and Friends

by

R. K. Narayan

Board School Headmaster Character Analysis

The Board School Headmaster is a strict, wizened old man who Swami thinks of as “owl-like.” He is an imposing figure and frightens Swami, even preventing him from attending the cricket practices he loves. But when Swami and Rajam go to confront the headmaster about Swami’s schedule, they find him sleeping, indicating that his strength may be at least in part a façade. The headmaster is ultimately responsible for Swami’s second departure from school, when he publicly punishes Swami for missing drill practice.
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Board School Headmaster Character Timeline in Swami and Friends

The timeline below shows where the character Board School Headmaster appears in Swami and Friends. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 12
The Political and the Personal Under British Colonial Rule Theme Icon
Education and Oppression Theme Icon
Innocence, Family, and Growing Up Theme Icon
...the crowd, including Swami, moves to that school. A representative from the crowd asks the Board School Headmaster to close the school, but the headmaster refuses and threatens to call the police. The... (full context)
Chapter 14
The Political and the Personal Under British Colonial Rule Theme Icon
Education and Oppression Theme Icon
...the Board School schedule keeps him from arriving on time, so Rajam suggests asking the Board School Headmaster to let him leave early until after their match. Swami tells Rajam that he is... (full context)
Education and Oppression Theme Icon
Innocence, Family, and Growing Up Theme Icon
...club, which makes Swami afraid of what his friends might try to do to the Board School Headmaster . (full context)
The Political and the Personal Under British Colonial Rule Theme Icon
Education and Oppression Theme Icon
...Swami back to school and tells Mani to wait outside while they speak to the Board School Headmaster . Rajam and Swami enter the headmaster’s office and find him sleeping. They wait for... (full context)
Chapter 15
Education and Oppression Theme Icon
Innocence, Family, and Growing Up Theme Icon
...is well, he cannot get a certificate. However, the doctor offers to talk to the Board School Headmaster for him and ask that Swami be allowed to leave school in time for practice. (full context)
Education and Oppression Theme Icon
Innocence, Family, and Growing Up Theme Icon
...days, making Rajam and the rest of the team very happy. On Friday, however the Board School Headmaster comes to Swami’s class and confronts him in front of the class about missing drill... (full context)
Chapter 17
The Political and the Personal Under British Colonial Rule Theme Icon
The Fluidity of Identity Theme Icon
...coming match, playing well and watching his team win, with the odd addition that the Board School Headmaster is playing for the opposing team. He collapses with exhaustion, imagining that he is still... (full context)
Chapter 18
Innocence, Family, and Growing Up Theme Icon
...of Swami’s disappearance from Rajam and calls him a fool for running away from the Board School Headmaster , but he also expresses concern for Swami and asks where he was when he... (full context)