Furthermore, Mrs Casper has no time for Billy as even when she remotely is questioning what he is doing during the evening and he responds that he will, “Read my book” and when he tells his mum its about “Falconry” and that he is “goin’ to get young kestrel” she has no idea what that is, and when Billy explains she changes the subject and says “I say, what time is it?” This suggests that she could not be bothered what Billy does or what his single interest is.
In addition, since Mrs Casper’s husband has left her, Billy has been ‘the laugh of the playground’ with MacDowall and his friends, as they insult Billy and his mother by saying that he has “heard tha’s got more uncles than any kid in this City.” Due to Mrs Casper going out with lots of men, MacDowall teases Billy about this and bully’s him about it.
Mr Farthing is very sympathetic to Billy getting bullied as he is small and more vulnerable. However, he speaks to Billy with a verbally harsh tone, but to be kind: “And stop blubbering, Casper! You’re not dying, lad!” Mr Farthing protects Billy, and shows MacDowall what it is like to be bullied, by physically picking on him: “What would you say if I pinned you to the floor and smacked you across the face?”
Secondly, Mr Farthing tries to help Billy and talk about him getting bullied, to make himself feel better, and to stop crying.
Furthermore, Mr Farthing shows great interest in Billy describing his kestrel hawk. If this was as ordinary teacher (not Mr Farthing), Billy would not have a great deal of attention provided to him. But Mr Farthing is different, and he lets Billy continue describe and share his interest with the class, and for once speak decently and make a contribution. Billy also teaches Mr Farthing of some words that he picked up in his Falconry book, eg: “Creance”.
Mr Sugden is the schools games master, and Billy’s PE teacher. Mr Sugden teases and bullies Billy, as when Billy did not understand what Mr Sugden said, he makes fun of it on Billy: “Stimulating you fool, S-T-I-M-I-L-A-T-I-N-G, stimulating!” This is verbally being mean to Billy, and Mr Sugden also enlightens Billy that he must “get changed lad, you’re two weeks late already!” This was speaking in a very sarcastic tone.
In addition, Mr Sugden continues to bully Billy by announcing in front of the class: “Casper, you make me SICK.” and “Shut up, lad! Shut up, before you drive me crackers!” Mr Sugden also physically bullies Billy by throwing the ball twice at Billy, whilst the rest of the class were grinning and sniggering away.
Another comment from Mr Sugden: “God help us; fifteen years old and still doesn’t know the positions of a football team!” He is expecting everyone to know everything about games, PE and football. He talks to Billy as if he was a young child learning the basics of sport: “We’re playing this game to win you know, lad.”
He takes football very seriously, and he is very sadistic.
Furthermore, Mr Sugden now bullies Billy physically and harshly. Mr Sugden asks Billy “Haven’t you forgotton something?” and Billy replies “No, Sir” to Mr Sugden assuming he knows that he has not forgotten something. But when Mr Sugden reminds Billy “What about the showers?” he forces Billy to use the shower. Billy has no towel for the shower, so Mr Sugden threatens Billy that he’ll “have to drip-dry then.” Mr Sugden thought that he was being funny, but Billy didn’t. Mr Sugden shoved Billy into the shower and randomly changed the temperature from HOT to COLD and then from COLD to HOT and Billy could then injure himself from that. Mr Sugden made the other boys of the class guard the doors of the showers so he couldn’t get out.
In conclusion, it is obvious that each character reported, treats Billy in a different way. All characters except Mr Farthing, but especially Mr Sugden either physically bullies Billy, or severely threatens to bully Billy.
However, if Mr Farthing bullies Billy, it is for his own good, and to build up his confidence.
