You Are First Introduced to the Two Main Characters Charlie Forbes and Tom Curdie in This

Chapter One You are first introduced to the two main characters – Charlie Forbes and Tom Curdie – in this chapter. The chapter begins with Charlie Forbes (the teacher) reading Tom Curdie's jotter in class. It is quickly introduced that Tom isn't from a very good background, he is actually from Donaldson's Court which is described as “one of the worst slums in one of the worst slum districts in Europe” (p3). It is found that although Tom is from the slums, he is an extremely intelligent boy with him being in the “elite of the first year” (p2) class. However, Tom is on probation as he was caught stealing butter from a shop. Charlie then gets the idea that if he took Tom on holiday with his family – who are a lot richer than Tom – to Towellan. He hopes that this will “not just help feed him and give him rest and fresh air, but especially to build up in him an immunity against the evil influences threatening him” (p4). Charlie then decides to go and ask the headmaster (Mr Fisher) for permission to take Tom on holiday with him. As soon as Tom's name is mentioned, Mr Fisher thinks that he is here to make a complaint about him as many other teachers have done so. Mr Fisher thinks that Charlie's idea is ridiculous and that his wife – Mary Forbes – will never agree to it, however, he says that it's not his place to give him permission or not as it is a private matter. After Charlie leaves the office, Mr Fisher phones Tom's primary school headmaster – Bob Black – and speaks to him about Tom and Charlie. This gives more insight into Charlie and Tom as characters. Charlie Forbes “Although it was fat, Mr Forbes's face was also long and bleak; even the little bags under his eyes were lugubrious.” (p1) “His hand that rested on the blotted page was plump, soft and pink, with black hairs and a ring.” (p2) “So righteous and dull” (p2) Charlie always sees the best in people – even though Tom stole butter from a shop and was on probation for it, Charlie still feels sorry for him as “so much wrong has been done to this boy” (p3). “The headmaster's approval might not be necessary, but to so loyal and punctilious a subordinate as Forbes it was desirable” (p5) Tom Curdie “All were in contrast to this little scarecrow by the desk, in the ragged man's jacket, the flithy long trousers, and the sandshoes with the canvas tops in tatters.” (p2) “Curdie's smile was notorious: other teachers called it sly and insolent; it was, they said, the smile of the certificated delinquent, of misanthropy in bud, of future criminality, of inevitable degradation.” (p2) “Tom Curdie, on the contrary, had one of the best intelligences in the school.” (p3) “The dirt on his neck was more clearly seen; and were those red specks flea-marks?” (p5) Tom often gets into trouble at school – Mr Fisher says “what's he been up to this time?” (p6) “He's a convicted thief” (p6) “He thinks wee Curdie's the most dangerous boy in the school” (p7) “One of my brightest [pupils] ever” (p10) Key Themes Good Samaritan – Charlie wants to help Tom as he feels that he has the potential in order to become something great. Charlie wants to do so by taking Tom to Towellan with him.

Chapter Two In this chapter we are introduced Charlie Forbes’s wife and the dynamics of their relationship. His wife is described as a “pink cheeked” and a “black haired” woman. She is very concerned about what people think of her family and would like them all to be respected by the community. This is why she is so concerned within this chapter, when Charlie requests to take Tom Curdie on holiday with them. He thinks it’s better to ask her on a walk, so when they outside he takes the plunge to discuss his idea and hopes for Tom. She is reluctant at first; due to hearing bad things of Tom in the past. She is also aware that he is on probation. However, in the end she agrees to have him come on the holiday and they both go to bed. Charlie dreaming of strange disconcerted thoughts. Key themes - Good Samaritan. Charlie wishes to help tom. "I vowed to take Tom Curdie with me to Towellen this summer". / Nature Vs nurture. Charlie believes taking him out of Donaldson’s Court will change him. He thinks he can change him "it's those influences I'm saving him from"

Characterisation- Charlie builds up his confidence to tell Mary his idea. The idea of him petting the bull represents this idea. Mary comes around to Charlie's idea after his convincing her. She knows it could possibly benefit her family if Charlie gets a promotion. Deep down she knows it's just another of his Silly ideas. Relevant quotes- "Will it really do any good?" "A double edged question" Both of these quotes show Mary's uncertainty to whether it is a good idea which reflects the ending to the book.

Chapter Three In this chapter we are introduced to the setting of Donaldson’s Court and also members of Tom’s family. Donaldson’s Court, one of Glasgow’s slums, is described with privies that are overflowing and that new-borns there are almost “alien” to the surroundings. This is also the chapter when Tom shows comradeship to a cat in the street. He does this by walking up to it and offering it some of the apple. This shows the symbolism between the two and how he feels like that cat. He later goes home and has conversation with his younger brother Alec, who he gives the rest of the apple to. Tom also talks of about the rest of the family, and talks about how he isn’t “ashamed of them”. Then he contemplates the rest of the night about going away with the Forbs family and has another comversation with Queenie (his mother) about going. She agrees he can go.

Chapter Four In chapter four Tom Curdie overhears teachers talking about money that would be left in the classroom overnight. He then decides to go back to the school late at night and steal it. The beginning of this chapter adds to the reader’s understanding of the character of Tom. It is clear that Tom is not trusted by everyone as when the teachers are talking about the money Tom is just doing his sums but the character of Mr Todd (one of Tom’s teachers) says to the second teacher ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if the little bastard was sitting there listening to every word.’ When insulted by Todd Tom ‘Neither blushed nor sulked’ which shows the reader that Tom does not get offended or embarrassed, he just lets comments wash over him. Todd says to the second teacher that ‘You never know what’s in that one’s head.’ This shows the reader that no one truly understands Curdie and this highlights the theme of misunderstanding. When Tom decides to steal the money he decides ‘He would come alone’ which shows his independence. The reader finds out about how Tom was once made to write two hundred lines by a teacher saying ‘Hygiene is not a luxury’ which highlights the theme of prejudice as he is given extra work to do just because he is from the slums and cannot afford to be very clean. Todd screams ‘Filth!’ at the state of Curdie’s jotter, which highlights the theme of poverty because Curdie cannot afford a bag to keep his books in.

Chapter Five In this chapter, they find out about the robbery by being told by the janitor in the morning. The police had been brought in to investigate the crime, and found that the supposed ‘blood’ on Mr. Todd’s floor was in fact red ink. The teachers set out a list of student they think are responsible for the robbery and are quick to interview them. When Tom arrives to be questioned, Mr. Todd automatically suspects him for the crime, but with no evidence to support this, like ink on his shoes and hands, he can’t be charged, and is let free to go. In this chapter we learn a lot about what kind of person Forbes is. He is the first to arrive at the school which suggests that he is passionate about his work, or he is trying to impress the others by being there before them. We also find out that as much as Charlie is a nice person trying to do well for the world, he never really helps; we know this from the quotation: “The difference between you and me, Charlie, is this; If I passed a bling beggar with a tinny I’d drop in a couple of coppers and pass on, without giving him another though; but you’d be so damned indignant at such public misery and so busy blaming everyone else for it that you’d pass by without putting anything in at all.” We also get to know a lot about what kind of person Tom is. When he the teachers are talking about him, one says that he’s never seen Tom in a sweat. This shows us how relaxed Tom is about everything, even with all the bad around him. It also says in the chapter that ‘No boy could have been more respectful and properly aware that he stood in the presence of authority’. This shows us how even though he is from the slums, he appreciates his education and does not obviously want to thwart his chances of staying there.

2 It also says in the chapter that when a fist was hit off the desk at him, he showed not even a twitch of fear. This shows us how confident he is they won’t find out it was him who committed the robbery, but also shows us that he isn’t afraid of these teachers and their punishments, and the life he is experiencing is more pain to him, than any threats by them could be. We also get to know what others think about Tom, as when a quick smile comes across his face, they mean different things for different people. To Todd it indicated a depth of insolence, To Forbes indomitability. This shows us that Todd thinks Tom is he is being rude or cheeky, whereas Forbes thinks he’s strong and unique. This also shows us more about Todd and Forbes, as Todd can be seen to be harsh and judgemental, Forbes can be seen to be quite accepting and encouraging.

Chapter Six The Forbes family are leaving to go to Towellan. Gillian and Alastair meet Tom. Gillian asks him questions to get to know him better, while Alastair kept quiet and carried Tom’s suitcase. The Forbes family find out that Mrs Storrock’s, Mrs Forbes mother is coming along with them on holiday. No one in the family seem to be happy about it especially Charlie and Alastair. Charlie has cleaned and washed Tom so feels proud of what he has done. Gillian says she doesn’t think she’s going to like him because she feels Tom’s laughing at them. Charlie gets defensive and gives Gillian a row, but Mrs Forbes stands up for her. The main theme in this chapter is rejection. Tom is instantly rejected by Gillian because he doesn’t say much. Gillian asks him questions like ‘Can you swim?’ he replies with ‘only three strokes’ and she instantly dismiss him by saying ‘Then you can’t swim’. She knows he probably doesn’t know how to do any of these, but asks him anyway. It seems like she’s purposely trying to embarrass him. Charlie sees Tom has transformed to a boy that ‘Todd would have approved of’. Charlie felt proud and he had achieved something. He doesn’t seem to think of it as helping Tom but helping himself, so Charlie can be approved of. At the back of Charlie’s mind he always thinking of what other people will think of him.

Chapter Seven At the start of this chapter Charlie and the boys nearly miss the train but luckily they just caught it before it departed. On the train, Mrs Storrocks complains about how cramped it is and the conversation eventually turns to Mrs Storrocks tells everyone where Tom Curdie is from. Out of sorrow, people give Tom money. This is a good example of how Tom has a misunderstanding of kindness towards him. When the family get off the train Tom thinks Charlie is cross with him for taking the money. However, this is not the case and Tom, instead, gives the money to Charlie for payment of his new clothes instead of spending this money on his holiday. This act of Tom’s highlights how he is not comfortable with receiving charity, instead of kindness, Tom mistakes these gifts as money given to him out of sorrow. Tom gives the money back, because he has built a hard shell around him- due to his upbringing in Donaldson’s Court. He never accepts charity, this is a clear example of a theme of misunderstanding in the book. Also, there is symbolism used here as well. When the whole family are off the train there is a large flock of seagulls over heard and one drops excrement on a lady below. This act spoils the holiday as Charlie wants it to be perfect. However, the unsightly scene is just one of many that spoils the holiday. Charlie sees a seagull looking at him. The seagull’s eye acts as a symbol, as it reminds him of what Todd said, “It’s a lot of guff.” This made Charlie shudder as this brings back the memories of failure, and reminded him of taking Tom Curdie on this holiday – is it good for Tom or himself? This links to Charlie’s epiphany at Canada Hill. Small acts of spoilers such as the seagulls really penetrate Charlie’s thoughts and remind him that he is not perfect, eventually making him have his great epiphany and come to terms that he and the world are never perfect.

Chapter Eight The family arrive in Towellan and are greeted by Bob Moodie, a "friend" of Charlie's. Charlie introduces Tom to Bob, calling Tom "a very clever boy". Mrs Storrocks grows inpatient and the family leave the pier. Mrs Storrocks disapproves of the family putting money in a cap for a busker playing the bagpipes which she refers to as a "tinker", she puts no money in the cap. The family wait in a Landau carriage waiting for its driver Willie McPhunn. A young kilted boy holds the horses while his family get in, Tom is given the best seat. Charlie jumps into the drivers seat, puts on Willies hat and blows his trumpet, Mrs Storrocks again is embarrassed and refuses to let Alistair blow the trumpet, threatening to cut off his money supply for the holiday. Willie returns and tells Charlie that an old friend’s wife has died

3 (another hint at things spoiling the holiday). The family are greeted ate the house by Mrs MacDonald, a kind neighbour who prepared a meal for them each year. Charlie goes out to the garden before dinner, he is joined by Tom, Gillian orders them to come in for dinner.

Chapter Nine The main incident in chapter 9 is the Rabbit Incident. Tom Curdie, Gillian, Alistair and Charlie visit Towellen Castle. It is here where Gillian comes across a rabbit suffering with myxomatosis. The disease leaves the 'creature' with purple swollen eyes, ' a hideous grin' and blistered skin. There is nothing that could help the rabbit other than to kill it. The family scream and yell at the sight: this even includes Tom who is rare to show his emotion. Tom also shows his care and affection in an earlier incident towards a homeless cat, where he almost relates to the animal as it has no food to eat like himself as a poorer boy living in the slums. It is in this chapter that Tom's pity towards an animal is revealed. Charlie couldn't put the rabbit out of its misery, he tried but didn't kill the rabbit. Tom takes over with silence, no hesitance and willingness to help the animal die in a humane way. This is such a shocking thing for such a young boy to do. The way that he carries the killing out with no thought is unusual for someone so young. Tom is able to carry out a task that no grown man could bring himself to do. Tom strikes the rabbit with a large stone several times with a 'surgical coolness' and 'accuracy'. Tom knew how he was going to do this and how he would help the suffering rabbit. It wasn't until the rabbit was completely still did Tom stop striking it. His care and affection was shown here as he places the stone over the rabbit’s body, leaving it to rest: no longer suffering. Killing the rabbit wasn't a way of just helping it - it was an act of kindness. The quick death relates to a later incident as Tom takes his own life by hanging himself: the rabbit incident mirrors his own suicide. It foreshadows the ruthlessness he shows when extinguishing his own life. Tom relates to how the rabbit is suffering and kills the rabbit in such a way like himself, the rabbit no longer has to suffer with the pain as Tom wouldn't have to deal with his problems in his life. What we learn in this chapter is that kindness was what Tom really needed. If he had received kindness from Charlie, Gillian and even his own family: he may not have taken his own life. Charlie's half- hearted attempt to help Tom hadn't helped his suffering and pain. Chapter 9 introduces the key theme of Love. Tom does not get any care and affection at home. The feeling of getting close to other people terrifies him, yet he shows pity and a sense of care towards a suffering animal. The theme of misunderstanding is seen as Gillian perceives Tom killing the rabbit for fun. She conveys this opinion when she states: 'He liked doing it'. She has misunderstood the real reason for killing the rabbit in such a quick, humane way; like his own suicide in the end. In this chapter we learn that Charlie isn't much of a man. He couldn't bring himself to kill the poor rabbit and put it out of its misery. He should feel shameful that such a younger boy had to take over and do something so brave no other young child could do. We learn that Gillian at this point is misunderstanding towards Tom's act as she doesn't fully understand the reason why Tom killed the rabbit. She sees it as an act of evil and cruelty rather than an act of kindness and pity towards a suffering animal in pain. Alistair who is usually tender-hearted and shy is fascinated by what Tom had carried out, a sense of jealously is seen as he watched Tom do something brave and boy-like. Again Alistair wouldn't realise the real reason why Tom brought himself so quickly with no hesitance to help the Rabbit.

Chapter Ten Plot Summary The Forbes family with Tom and Mrs Storrocks go on a trip out to Dunroth. They all go to watch a music competition in the Castle Gardens called Go-as-you-please. Alistair complains because he wants to go out on a motor-boat. The group watch several competitors while complaining and laughing about them. Charlie tries to convince Gillian to play some Scots melodies on the piano but she refuses. Tom then offers to go and sing a Scots Song called “Turn ye to me,” Charlie agrees but Mary is not happy about it. When Tom finishes his song there is loud applause but Gillian did not clap. Her father is very upset about it. Tom comes down to them and they decide to go for tea but before that Mrs Storrocks decides to give each of the children a half crown. They decide to go in and spend it in Woolworth's. Key Themes This chapter highlights some of the main themes in the story such as Isolation and Misunderstanding

4 others. Isolation is shown when Mary and Gillian still refused to accept Tom as a friend. The theme of Misunderstanding others is highlighted when Mary believes that Tom is going to sing to cause trouble and spite Gillian. Characterisation In this chapter we begin to see Charlie moving away from his family to siding with Tom. This is really highlighted he is hurt when Gillian doesn't acknowledge Tom's performance. Charlie also shows lack of self-awareness when he is annoyed with Gillian for not clapping at Tom's performance but what he doesn't see is there is something troubling his daughter. Key Quotes “You wouldn't clap Gillian,” he murmured tragically, “you wouldn't clap.” “I'm terribly disappointed in you, Gillian”

Chapter Eleven In chapter eleven Gillian is determined to find a flaw in Tom, so she can get close to her father again, so she follows Tom around Woolworths and spies on him to seek information on him and his behaviour to prove her father wrong. As she is following him around, she is shocked to see that Tom has stolen a tin opener and then a tin of ointment. In fascination she carried on watching him and didn’t go running to her father straight away. She began to get anxious and walked up to Tom while he was at the jewellery counter, she spoke to him calm and collectedly asking who the brooch was for. The brooch Tom was buying was for Gillian’s mother. After Tom paid for the brooch Gillian mentioned to Tom she saw him stealing, he stood with no movement and didn’t reply. The brooch was presented to Mary and Charlie was pleased with what Tom had done, when Mary asked if he was going to take something home for his own mother he replied with a quick ‘no’ and the conversation ends suddenly. This chapter reveals that Tom feels that he is a part of the Forbes family. So to get him back to reality he steals from the shop, to make sure he remembers that he is still from Donaldson Court. At the end of the chapter when they speak about his mother, Tom dismisses the question very suddenly because he doesn’t want the thought of his mother ruining the moment. This chapter allows us to think about Tom and why he stole from the shop, so it allows us to understand the theme of denying his true identity.

Chapter Twelve In Chapter twelve of The Changeling we experience a feud between Charlie and his wife Mary. Gillian, their daughter confesses to seeing Tom steal a tin-opener and a tin of ointment from Woolworths and her parents are not sure who to believe. The argument is whether Tom Curdie is still a thief or if Gillian is a ‘nasty spiteful liar’. We are also given an insight into Charlie at this point as he does not believe his own daughter over Tom Curdie, a boy who he hardly knows and is not exactly trustworthy as he comes from a rough background/area - Donaldson’s Court. Conflict is created between Mary and Charlie at this moment as Mary tells her husband ‘I’m going to believe my own child’. Stealing the tin of ointment and tin opener is a big deal to the family as they are trying to change Tom into a better person and they are giving him a big opportunity to be like everyone else. But obviously they are disappointed to find out their tactics to change Tom did not work and yet he still continues to steal. Charlie also threatens to leave Mary if they send Tom home, which then creates more personal problems between the couple. After a walk down onto the beach where he revaluated his failure as a man, a father and a teacher he eventually returned to the house where Mary tells him that Gillian was lying. Charlie then backtracks what he said about Gillian being a liar and pities/ praises her for telling the truth to Mary. We sensed that Mary seemed almost disappointed that Tom isn’t guilty (this time) for not stealing, and she is also disappointed that her very own child lied about Tom out of spite. At the end of the text Mary and Charlie aren’t on good terms as they sleep apart and Charlie wonders if this is a permanent sleeping arrangement for the rest of the holiday.

Chapter Thirteen Chapter 13 is the turning point of the novel “The Changeling” by Robin Jenkins. In the beginning of the chapter, we learn the reason why Tom stole the tin-opener and ointment from Woolworth’s – so that he could prove to himself that he belongs to Donaldson’s Court and not to the Forbes family. “It was to destroy the delusion in his mind…” (Page 119, newer edition) “So when in Woolworth’s he had picked up the tin-opener and the ointment, it had been an acceptance of reality.” (Page 120, newer edition).

5 While Tom thinks about what he did, he worries about how Gillian saw him, but soon realises that if she tells her parents he could leave and therefore not be sucked back into this delusion that the Forbes are his family “…he was resigned to her telling her parents and to their challenging him.” (Page 120, newer edition). But when he’s alone at night he doesn’t believe that she had told them. In the morning, Tom believes that Gillian has told Charlie, but not Mary. “Mrs Forbes wore the brooch and was pleasant to him…Mr Forbes avoided him and went off rowing all morning with Alistair.” (Page 120, newer edition) Later on in the week, the day that Chick, Peerie, and Alec were to arrive, Mrs Storrocks brings up the topic of Tom singing at the “Go-as-you-please” in Dunroth. Alistair is excited to go because he wants to go on the drive-yourself motor-boat. Mary is alright with it, Gillian asks to stay at home, and Charlie forbids anyone to go out. Tom believes that it’s to make sure he doesn’t steal again, which may be the case. After Mrs Storrocks marches out of the room, Mr Forbes demands Alistair to leave the room so he and Mrs Forbes can talk to Gillian and Tom. But Gillian refuses to discuss anything and runs out of the room. Mr Forbes then tells Tom that if he really wants to, he can go into Dunroth to sing, though that’s not the real reason why he wants to go. In the hall, Tom stops to look at Charlie’s raincoat, and cherishes it like a child who misses their parent, “He had a longing to touch it, but that shy gesture could not satisfy the sudden urge of love in him… he crushed his face into the coat, smelling not only paint but the sea.” (Page 125, newer edition). After a while he hears a noise, which he thinks is Gillian spying on him again but turns out to be the Grandfather clock. He remembers what Charlie says when it makes that noise and makes a comparison between him and Shoogle, “Mr Forbes often said ‘Pardon’ on its behalf: it was one of the family jokes. Tom was reminded of Shoogle, who also said ‘Pardon’; but this massive mahogany clock…was taller and in every way handsomer and more durable than the small, belching, drunken cripple.” (Page 125, newer edition). Here we can see the contempt Tom has for his Step-Father, yet when he talks about Charlie it’s as if he sees him as his real father. After this, Tom decides that he’s going to head back to the dining-room to confess about the thefts, and that he was leaving that afternoon and not coming back. But when he sees Mr Forbes’ tear- stained face, and hears Mrs Forbes crying in the background, he loses confidence and instead asks if he can use the bike to go to Dunroth. After he says that, Mary rushes to the door and accuses him of only wanting the bike because Gillian was going to use it. Tom is confused as he didn’t know that, and he doesn’t think Mrs Forbes knew it either. At the end Mr Forbes calls Tom a “changeling” to his face and shuts the door. In this chapter, we learn that Tom is having trouble separating reality from fantasy – the reality being that his family and home is in Donaldson’s Court and the fantasy being that he is a part of the Forbes family. We find out that the way he tries to distinguish between the two, or to crush the fantasy, is to steal something and remind himself of who he really is. Charlie’s character is also developed here. Before now, we have seen Charlie as this optimistic person, who believes that he does the right thing all the time. We have also seen him take a great interest in Tom, but now he seems to have avoided him. We also find out that he really only looks out for himself, especially when he is talking about how he has been humiliated, “’Every pebble on the beach, every blade of grass on the hill…I’ve abased myself. I’ve crawled on my knees. And what’s been my reward? Humiliation.’” (Page 123, newer edition). Charlie is only really looking out for himself and not seeing how the situation is affecting other people. We see this when he tries to get Gillian to talk about what she saw in Woolworth’s, “He turned towards Gillian, with what he tried to make a conciliatory smile. ‘Gillian my dear, listen to me.’ She began to scream: ‘No, no, no.’ … In her mother’s arms she sobbed bitterly.” (Page 124, newer edition). It is also the beginning of Charlie realising that his little experiment has failed and that his family is falling apart. The main themes of this chapter are: Sense of identity (Tom trying to remember he is from the slums), Love (Tom burying his head into Charlie’s coat), Suffering (Mr and Mrs Forbes fighting about what just happened), Misunderstanding others (Mr and Mrs Forbes thinking that Tom is a changeling and wants to tear the family apart) and Broken families (Mrs Storrocks storming out, Alistair leaving the room in tears, Gillian not wanting to talk to her father and Mr and Mrs Forbes fighting).

Chapter Fourteen In this chapter Tom goes into Dunroth. When he gets there he goes to the library to look up the word 'changeling' after Charlie had called him a changeling. Tom no longer feels like himself after he learns the definition of the word and he finds it painful whenever he thinks of the Forbes family. He meets Chick and Peerie off the steamer and Peerie quickly notices that Tom doesn't look like himself. Tom

6 then takes Chick and Peerie along to the final of the singing competition. When Tom is on stage he is asked if he has any family supporting him today which upsets him causing him to walk off the stage. They all then go to set up Chick and Peerie's tent. In this chapter we learn that Tom has now accepted the Forbes family and cares for them. We know this because of how upset he is when he is asked where his family is. When Chick first comes off the boat he speaks about Gillian in a manner which angers Tom. Chick says, 'Whit aboot this tart you're staying wi, Tom? Whit's she like? Skinny? Nae tits yet?' Tom responds to this by grabbing Chick by the front of his shirt. The final sentence of the chapter is, 'Tom was standing by the edge of the sea'. This provides foreshadowing of Tom's suicide. It provides the image that Tom is about to jump of a cliff and so hints towards Tom's suicide.

Chapter Fifteen Chick and Peerie – Tom’s friends from Donaldson’s court – have arrived in Towellan. It’s now evening time and they’ve gotten a bus to an old derelict house. Chick’s actions as soon as they enter the house are very odd as he is tapping things with a spoon, ‘Chick tapped the walls with his spoon.’ He then admits he is afraid and starts acting even more strange and ‘made noises of fear like an animal.’ Despite Peerie’s efforts to calm him down it doesn’t work but eventually he quietens down when they pitch the tent in the garden and begin to settle down for the night. Everything’s quiet until the mention of shoplifting and police and then suddenly Tom jumps up and tries to get out. He was desperate and angry and was, ‘pulling pegs and ripping the canvas’. As soon as he was out he was frantically trying to get away when he was ‘breaking through the willow herb’. Tom reached the phonebox and was about to call when he started thinking all about himself and his life, ‘he was running to phone and yet there was nothing to phone about.’ It’s sad because he feels so alone and even says, ‘he could not go back to his old life, he had left Donaldson’s court forever.’ This is true when we realise at the end of the book that he will never be able to go back to Donaldson’s court and maybe this was when he realised he couldn’t and would do anything to stop himself having to go back to his old life. Peerie follows him and asks rude questions about the Forbes family and eventually Tom replies to the questions and realises he can’t bring himself to talk down about them even to Peerie. When he picks up the phone he introduces himself as Tom Forbes to Mrs Forbes on the phone, she doesn’t think much of this even though it is a big part in Tom’s struggles to find his identity. They decide Tom is to go back to the Forbes family that night and he leaves Chick and Peerie ‘scuffling’ as he walks away - despite Peerie admitting he is afraid of Chick.

Chapter Sixteen After Tom returns to the house, has his supper and goes to bed, Charlie and Mary – after some discussion - agree to allow Tom to remain in Towellan, for Gillian’s sake. Before heading to bed the two agree that the family will head to Rothesay the next day. The next morning Charlie decides to help Mary in the house so they could leave earlier. The children leave in order to go boating before dinner and Mary and Charlie are brought into another confrontation due to a broken cup leading Mary to say ‘you think everything can be replaced’ - referring to their relationship. As Charlie does the dishes he watches a saucer sink and wonders if faith is the same. In the boat Alastair is rowing towards Towellan pier and decides not to go all the way. As Gillian and Alastair begin to reminisce/argue Gillian notices a boy following them along the beach while waving at them. Tom notices this interest and recognises Peerie. When Gillian realises that he is calling for Tom she asks if they are friends. He denies it, but Gillian does not believe him and makes Alastair row towards him. A conversation ensues where Tom refuses to speak and Peerie states that they are in a gang. As they row back out Gillian tells the boys that she hates traitors most of all and later asks if Tom wants them to tell about Peerie. Alastair returns to the house and has his mother look at the blister he gained while rowing and mentions that they met a friend of Tom’s that admitted that he was in a gang that stole things from shops. She asks if Gillian and Alastair have just made this up and then asks for him to go get Gillian. As he fetches her, Mary calls for Charlie and tells him, which leads into an argument about whether Gillian is a liar or not. Gillian enters and is then asked to explain the meeting and why she asked if he was in a gang that stole from shops. They question her until she finally admits that she saw Tom steal from Woolworths and she is then sent to call everyone for dinner. The decision made in the beginning is changed and Mary and Charlie decide to make Tom leave the next day.

7 Chapter Seventeen In chapter 17 the Forbes family and Tom are on their way to Rothesay. Mary and Charlie are falsely acting happy. Peerie is also following the Forbes family because he has something urgent to tell Tom about Chick. It is suggested that Chick has done something bad and worse than he has ever done. Tom shows no interest to what Peerie has to and acts as if Peerie is invisible to him. At the end of the chapter Peerie decides he wants to join the navy when he grows up.

Chapter Eighteen Chapter 18 begins with the family arriving at Rothesay to have a family day out. Gillian tells her father that she talked to Peerie on the ferry - that he was lonely and wanted to talk to Tom. While they’re planning what they're going to do for the day Charlie keeps getting distracted because he feels like he's being watched by Peerie. Charlie asks Tom to go talk to him so that Peerie would stop following them, but Tom doesn't want to talk to him. Mary then tells Charlie that the boys have fallen out. Charlie and the children go their separate ways from Mary and her mother - they walked to Canada Hill. Peerie followed them all the way up the hill shouting at Tom wanting to talk to him but Tom wasn't having it. Charlie suggested he should go talk to his friend so he would leave them alone but Tom didn't want to. This chapter is a key one as it involves Charlie’s epiphany – the moment when he finally realises the truth about himself and the world around him. He comes to terms with the fact that life can never be perfect and there is no harm in admitting defeat or failure. While this realisation is good for Charlie, it is disastrous for Tom as it means that Charlie no longer feels the need to pursue his ideals (i.e. help Tom). Charlie and Tom sat together talking, Charlie told Tom that he would have to go home tomorrow because a friend was coming to stay and there would be no room for him, Tom normally agrees and does what he’s told when Charlie tells him to do something, but this time he says: “I cannae go there” meaning he can't go home, but Charlie is having none of it saying that he must go home and that he would take him as far as Glasgow. Gillian kept telling Tom to talk to Peerie. Tom told her “For Christ sake,leave me alane.” Gillian’s thoughts then turn to how she could help him.

Chapter Nineteen Chapter nineteen follows the Forbes family as they return to Towellan on the steamer. On board Mrs Storrocks learns that Tom is a thief and how he stole from Woolworths. She then confronts Tom about his stealing after feeling that he has been unjustly judged. After confessing to the theft Tom shows his emotion and feeling when he is described as ‘gnawing at his fist in turmoil. Mrs Storrocks is also described as literally wiping her hands of him. Tom feels complete alienation from everything and is reflected in the main themes of the chapter, alienation, realisation and confrontation. The chapter also shows the reader that Charlie’s character isn’t quite what he’d like to think it was. He is shown to be very unjust and hypocritical when Mrs Storrocks confronts his and Mary’s decision to send Tom home without confronting him about the stealing, allowing him to defend himself.

Chapter Twenty The forbes family return from their day out, to discover that Tom’s family (the Curdies) have arrived. Tom is mortified and stays outside the house. Again in this chapter we see Tom being understood. When Tom takes himself away to sit alone at the start of the chapter, Charlie regards this as being ‘indiscreet, unnecessary and vindictive’ – he doesn’t like it, yet he caused it so perhaps feels guilty and doesn’t want to be reminded of his rejection of Tom. Mrs Storrocks it still angry at Tom for ‘stealing [her] trust’. The language used by the Forbes adults to describe Tom’s family is derogatory and rude – reminding us of the theme of prejudice. We see the physical signs of Tom’s stress – his hand shakes when he goes to pat his wee sister’s head. Queenie draws attention to the fact Tom is sleeping separately from the rest of the Forbes family – highlighting the cold / prejudiced sides of Charlie and Mary. Since his earlier ephiphany on Canada Hill, Charlie no longer feels the need to do the right thing, so he does not feel bad about rejecting the Curdies and ignoring their hints to be accommodated. He is no longer determined to be the ‘Good Samaritan’.

8 We realise in this chapter that Tom’s own mother understands him better than anyone – ‘I hae never understood him…Would it be his brains…?It’s no’ guid for ye haeing mair than ye can cope wi’’ We also see – despite his apparent neglect of her – that Shoogle loves his children and would put their lives before his own: ‘Even if a bus was to run into me, I wouldnae let you drap’. Despite their obvious flaws, we are given the impression that Queenie and Shoogle are better parents than Charlie and Mary could ever be.

Chapter Twenty-One Queenie goes outside to get Tom in for tea. She tries talking to him and realises he is heartbroken, which makes her upset and angry. Tom doesn’t talk, but just hits the tree repeatedly, which shreds up his hand, making it bleed. He tries to hide the fact that he is crying. Charlie takes Tom upstairs to the bathroom to clean and bandage his hand. Tom admits to all of his thefts from the past, which Charlie finds hard to believe. Everyone then finds out that someone has spread a rumour that Charlie has taken Tom on holiday to sexually abuse him. The Forbes family decide to get in contact with the police immediately. Ironically, the police show up at the door moments later, wanting to talk to Tom about Chick stealing. Alistair then goes to bring Tom into the room, only to discover that Tom and Gillian have both disappeared. Revealed Characterisation: Gillian – Shows just how sensitive she is towards Tom, and begins to show her understanding for him. When her grandmother asks her a simple question it says Gillian was “pale and trembling” and “if she had tried to speak, she would have wept”. Queenie – Begins to understand Tom, and the hurt he is feeling. Becomes very sensitive towards Tom, as he is hitting the tree she puts herself in front of the tree, showing she is willing for Tom to hit her rather than the tree, if it would cause him less pain. She also gets quite angry and takes it out on Mrs Storrocks, because she sees how heartbroken Tom is, and blames it on the family he’s been living with. Mary – Finally shows her more motherly side to Tom, and feels for him after he has hurt his own hand. She admits that he is obviously troubled to do such a thing. “That explanation, which put all the blame on the child, was much too simple”. Key Themes: The main themes explored in this chapter are love, suffering, sense of identity, isolation and human interference.

Chapter Twenty-Two The final paragraph of ‘The Changeling’ is the ultimate climax to the novel: Tom committing suicide by hanging himself. Running away from the police we see real unity between the characters of Gillian and Tom. Gillian has finally realised how Tom is actually feeling and she almost understands the situation he is in. This is shown when she asks him about why he stole: ‘...”did you steal those things in Woolworths because – because you didn’t want – to get – too fond of us?”’ This shows that Gillian understands Tom’s motives and his dilemma of being stuck between two completely different realities and doesn’t really know who he is himself, but she may have realised this too late. She gives us hope that maybe once Mr Forbes has found them, that maybe she can convince him to help Tom properly. Before Tom actually hangs himself there are hints in the chapter that such a thing may happen. ‘...she could not hear him at all. He might have been dead.’ and ‘...his face glimmered like the skull they had passed on the hill.’ After everything Tom has gone through and seeing how he seems to react so calmly, it comes as quite a shock when we realise how much Tom was suffering the whole time, to such an extent that he could no longer go on with his life. When Gillian re-enters the hut and finds Tom hanging in the noose. She knows that she must keep calm but her exhaustion make this impossible. Driven by guilt and desperation she runs back down the hill, leaving Tom’s body hanging in the hut. The novel ends ambiguously letting the reader decide how the other characters such as Charlie and Mary will react to Tom’s suicide and how Gillian will move on from what she has witnessed and the fact she was unable to save his life. Themes in this chapter:  Isolation / loneliness – Tom barely talks or communicates in any way throughout the entire chapter.  Love - ‘She felt not only pity and love for him.’  Suffering – The fact that Tom commits suicide shows that he must have been suffering badly.

9  Misunderstanding others – Gillian realises that everyone has misunderstood Tom.