The winslow boy

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The two main themes I think of this play are justice and innocence. Firstly

It is about justice because all Ronnie’s father Arthur wants is justice and to save the family pride and name from looking bad. He doesn’t want people thinking his family are thieves. Secondly it is about innocence, Arthur is trying so hard to prove that his son is innocent he really does believe Ronnie that he didn’t steal the postal order and wont stop until the judge agrees he is innocent.

 The play begins in the drawing room of the Winslow’s house in court field gardens, south Kensington. It is a time just before the war 1914-1918 it is Sunday morning. In act 1 scene 1 the book is all about Ronnie when he first gets back from his school expelled. He has a letter from his school principal explaining why which he must give to his parents to read, but he doesn’t. When he comes home from school he speaks to the maid he tells her that term has ended and then goes and hides in the garden from his parents with the letter so as they wont spot him. His parents get back from church and he is still stood in the garden it is now raining. Ronnie can see that his parents are having a conversation in the kitchen through the French windows in the garden. When he finally goes in he explains what has happened to his mother she believes he is innocent.

 You also find out in the first part of the book that they are a very well to do middle class family. Arthur, Ronnie’s father is a very proud and respectful man who likes people to think good of him and his family, he’s a bit bossy and expects his wife grace to do what he pleases. Grace Winslow is Ronnie’s mother she is very faithful to her husband, she keeps the children educated and makes sure they are well behaved. She does what Arthur tells her. Catherine Winslow, Ronnie’s sister is a very independent and strong-minded girl who is in love with John and respects her family. Dickie is Ronnie’s older brother who likes to concentrate more on girls and music than studying for his degree, he’s a very nice kind person. John Watherstone is in love with Catherine and his preparing to ask her father Arthur for her hand in marriage. Ronnie Winslow is the lead role in the play he is a clever young student of Osborne naval academy. His school has accused him of doing something very bad, but we do not know what yet, in the first scene. He however claims insistently he didn’t do this to his mother and father after they read the letter that was sent home for them to read. His parents are not sure whether to believe him.

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 Ronnie’s father Arthur says to Ronnie in the first scene ‘Ronnie in this letter it says you stole a 5 shilling postal order. Now I don’t want your to say a word until you’ve heard what I’ve got to say. If you did it, you must tell me. I shan’t be angry with you, Ronnie—provided you tell me the truth. But if you tell me a lie, I shall know it, because a lie between you and me can’t be hidden. I shall know it, Ronnie – so remember that before you speak. Did you steal this postal order?’

 ‘No ...

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