Evans tries an O level

This is a power point presentation on chapter 7 Evans tries an O level from Vistas Class XII

1. Evans tries an o level -Colin Dexter

2. THERE IS NOTHING MORE DECEPTIVE THAN AN OBVIOUS FACT.

3. CONTENTS About the author Characters Main theme Chapter in a nutshell Highlights Difficult word meanings Expected questions

4. About the author Norman Colin Dexter OBE was a famous british crime novelist known for his Inspector Morse series of novels, which were written between 1975 and 1999 and adapted as a television series, Inspector Morse , from 1987 to 2000. His characters have spawned a sequel series, Lewis , and a prequel series, Endeavour . The initial books written by Dexter were general studies textbooks. He began writing mysteries in 1972 during a family holiday. Last Bus to Woodstock was published in 1975 and introduced the character of Inspector Morse , the irascible detective whose penchants for cryptic crosswords , English literature , cask ale , and music by composer Wagner reflect Dexter's own enthusiasms. Dexter received several Crime Writers' Association awards: two Silver Daggers for Service of All the Dead in 1979 and The Dead of Jericho in 1981; two Gold Daggers for The Wench is Dead in 1989 and The Way Through the Woods in 1992; and a Cartier Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement in 1997. In 1996, Dexter received a Macavity Award for his short story "Evans Tries an O-Level". In 2000 Dexter was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to literature.

5. Characters The Secretary of the Examinations Board The Governor of HM Prison, Oxford James Evans , a prisoner Mr Jackson, a prison officer Mr Stephens, a prison officer The Reverend S. McLeery, an invigilator Mr Carter, Detective Superintendent Mr Bell, Detective Chief Inspector

6. Main Theme The main theme of the story ‘ Evans Tries an O Level’ is a clever escape planned by a convict on the pretence of taking a language exam in prison. The convict even after being caught, still has the last laugh and makes his escape. The story deals with his smartness, foresight and planning his escape. With his meticulous planning and keen observation, Evans outsmarts the prison authorities. The story also brings to light the fact that one should not underestimate one’s opponent. If only prison authorities were careful enough to do a background check on the teacher none of this would have happened. This story also teaches us a lesson that one should never jump to conclusions hastily.

7. Chapter in a nutshell

8. Evans a kleptomaniac was imprisoned thrice and all the time escaped from the prison. Now he was in the prison for the 4th time and all of a sudden developed curiosity to appear in O-level German Examination which also was an effort to break the prison. The Governor takes utmost care to see that he would not be fooled. Every care was taken to make Evans prepare for the exam. He was tutored by a German tutor for 6 months. The day before the exam the tutor wishes good luck but makes it clear that he had hardly any ‘chance of getting through.’ But Evans gives an ironical twist to the tutor’s observation by saying “I may surprise everybody.” On the day of the exam Jackson and Stephens visited Evans cell and took away everything that may help him injure himself. Evans was insisted to take away the hat but he refused saying that it was lucky charm.

9. Evans cell was bugged so that the Governor could himself listen to each and every conversation in the cell. The invigilator Rev. S. McLeery too was searched and left him to complete the task. Stephen sitting outside the cell every now and then peeped into the cell. The exam went on smoothly. Stephen escorted the invigilator to the main gate and took a look into Evans cell and found the invigilator (actually Evans ) wounded, informed the Governor. The latter was to be hospitalized but informed that he was alright and asked them to follow Evans . Thus he escaped the prison. When the invigilator was not found in the hospital they went to the residence of Rev. S. McLeery only to find him ’bound and gagged in his study in Broad Street”. He has been there, since 8.15 a.m. Now everything was clear to the Governor.

10. Evan escaped the prison the 4th time. But by taking the hint from the question paper the Governor reached the hotel where Evans was and captured him and came to know how he planned his escape and said that his game was over. Evans surrenders himself to the Governor. The Governor tells Evan they would meet soon. The moment they are rid of the Governor, the so called prison officer-a friend of Evan’s unlocks the handcuffs and asks the driver to move fast and Evans tells him to turn to Newbury.

11. Highlights

12. Precautions taken to prevent Evans ’ escape during the 1. Evans in a solitary room – incommunicado 2.Cell checked. 3. Nail file and scissors taken out. 4. A priest as an invigilator 5. McLerry’s bag checked. Paper-knife was taken away 6. Initially guard in the cell. Later when outside, checking on Evans after every minute or two minutes. 7. Cell bugged and letting Evans see it so there would be no attempt to escape. 8. All messages or phone calls to go via the Governor. 9. Well guarded with all officers on alert; two locked doors between Evans ’ cell and the yard, which had a high wall.

13. Mistakes made by the Prison Authorities Despite knowing that Evans was always breaking out of jail and although they suspected he would try to break out again, the prison authorities still made many mistakes. The validity of the German tutor not checked. Evans allowed to sit for an exam knowing he wasn’t academically inclined and not checking whether he had learnt any German at all. Letting Evans see the name of the invigilator on the form. Everyone just accepted Stephens’ belief that the man in the cell was McLeery as he was bleeding and did not check his wounds. Getting fooled by Evans pretending to be McLeery although everyone knew Evans was a good mimic.

14. Jackson’s mistakes Not taking more precautions in verifying the invigilator’s identity despite knowing Evans knew his name. Letting Evans wear the cap for good luck. Allowing McLeery to take the rubber tube inside. Stephen’s Mistakes Not going into the cell despite seeing that Evans was just sitting there not writing at all. Not verifying the Governor’s phone call. Despite seeing that McLeery looked slimmer while going out, not checking him.

15. Governor’s mistakes Allowing Stephens to move out of the cell when Evans protested. Letting Evans know that the cell was bugged. Letting the Examination Board phone call go through without verifying its authenticity. Letting Evans wear a blanket. Knew how shrewd Evans was but believing he had left the correction paper behind by mistake and believing the information in it. In the end, letting Evans escape a second time in a van without verifying the guards despite knowing how conniving Evans was.

16. Reasons for Evans ’ Success A very well thought out innovative plan which was brilliantly conceived and excellently executed: Knew no one would stop him from studying or taking an exam so used that as an excuse. Took time to implement the plan; no hurry. Every aspect of the plan made foolproof — clothes being brought in, call for correction, blood in the tube. Did not do the obvious- escape during recreation

17. Reasons for Evans’ Success An excellent judge of people and knew how to deal with them: (i) Played on Jackson’s compassion — cap (ii) Used Stephen’s ego — walk McLeery to gate (iii) Knew Governor was fair — asked Stephens to go out; even permission for the exam. (iv) Understood how people took things for granted — would believe a bleeding man would be McLeery,not Evans — no checking done of tutor or invigilator. (v) Knew everyone would be too flustered to check the wounded man’s injuries.

18. Difficult word meanings Chap- person Dead keen- highly interested Cost a packet- very costly Bit of a card - quick witted and unpredictable Cat in hell’s chance - to be completely unable to achieve something Ramrod - very straight and stiff Contemptuous - mocking Warm enemies - that they were already enemies

19. Difficult word meanings Jolly kind of you - very nice of you Congenital Kleptomaniac - habitual tendency to steal Parson - priest Incommunicado - not able to communicate Reiterated - said once again Gracing the premises - stay in that building Grubby- dirty Burly- strongly, well built Surly- bad tempered, impolite Curtly- rudely

20. Difficult word meanings Paraded- displayed Leered- looked Shirley Temple- a famous hollywood child actress Drizzle- slow rain Pin-ups - posters Conceded- agreed Hawk- eagle Keep your nose clean- not to make trouble Keep eyes skinned- be careful Haystack- pile of grass

21. Difficult word meanings Jack knife- a small knife Hitherto amiable demeanour- so far pleasant behaviour Breathing down my neck- remain very near Staccato bleeps- intermittent beeps Wee while- for some time Hoax- trick Askew- not straight, inclined Amateurishly - unskillfully Pebble lens- spectacles with round lens Daft- mad

22. Difficult word meanings Veiled- covered Seep- dripping Squelchy- very wet Streaked- lined Perplexed- confused Dredging- recollecting Crescendo- loudest Crimson- dark red Bewilderment- surprise Strident- loud and harsh Good for giggle- who will be laughed at Gullible- inexperienced, innocent

23. Difficult word meanings Close call- narrow escape Springing apart- jumping apart Fiddling- changing Gorgon- a deity who can turn any body into stone Ruefully- with regret Bang in the middle of- exactly in the middle of To throw a spanner- to divert attention Muddle- to confuse Clambred- climbed

24. Expected questions Q. Who was Carter? What did the Governor ask him to do? Ans. Carter was Detective Superintendent. The Governor asked him to take McLeery with him and follow Evans in the direction as told by McLeery. Q. What did the Detective Superintendent inform the Governor about Evans ? Ans. Superintendent Carter informed the Governor that McLeery had spotted Evans driving off along Elsfield Way. They had got the number of the car all right. They had given a chase immediately, but they had lost him at the Headington roundabout. He assumed that Evans must have doubled back into the city. Q. What were the content of the small brown suitcase that McLeery carried? Ans. The small brown suitcase, which Reverend McLeery carried, contained all that he would require for his morning duties, including a sealed question paper envelop, a yellow invigilation form, a special authentication card from the Examination Board, a paper knife, a Bible and a current copy of the Church Times.

25. Expected questions Q. How did the Governor react to the two phone calls he received in quick succession? Ans. The two phone calls the Governor received in quick succession made him suspect that the calls might be fake, that it might be some kind of signal or a secret message. To be completely sure, he dialed the Exam Board number. However, he heard beeps of an engaged line. Q. Why did Evans not take off his hat when Jackson ordered him to do so? Ans. Evans did not take off his hat when Jackson ordered him to do so because according to Evans it was his lucky Charm. However in reality he wanted to hide his cropped hair so that he could pass off as McLeery. Also, keeping his hat on would hide his plan to escape. Q. What precautions did the authorities take for the smooth conduct of the O-level examination? Ans. Fearing that Evans might escape, the exam was conducted in Evans’ prison cell itself. It was installed with a microphone so that the Governor could listen to every talk. The cell was fully checked by the staff who took away anything that could Answers pose a threat. Moreover, the staff was put on high alert, doors and gates were locked. Prison officer Stephens was to peep into Evans’ cell after every few minutes. The parson who came to invigilate, was frisked at the prison gate and his briefcase was checked thoroughly.

26. Expected questions Q. Which article in McLeery’s suitcase played perhaps the most significant role in Evans ’ escape and how? Ans. The most significant article in McLeery’s suitcase was the rubber tube, which he said he required to sit on since he was suffering from piles. In reality, the rubber tube contained pig blood. Evans was going to disguise as Rev. McLeery and pretend to be injured and bleeding. It was a strategy to help Evans escape from the prison. Q. How did the Governor, Oxford Prison describe Evans to the Secretary, Examination Board? OR According to the Governor what kind of person was Evans ? OR What opinion of Evans did the prison authorities convey to the Secretary, Education Board? Ans. The Governor gave quite a satisfactory report about Evans to the Secretary of the Board. It was stated that Evans had no record of violence and that he was quite a ‘pleasant sort of chap’. He also said that Evans was one of the stars at the Christmas concert. However, he suffered from a weakness, he was just a congenital kleptomaniac.

27. Expected questions Q. How did the question paper and correction slip help the prisoner and the Governor? Ans. The Governor received a call from the Assistant Secretary of the Examination Board saying that there was a correction slip, which was not attached to the question paper. He requested the Governor if he could read out the correction to Evans . The correction was ‘zum goldenen Lowen’. In reality, it was an indication informing Evans where he was supposed to go after escaping from jail. Although, the Governor did not suspect anything, the correction slip helped Evans to know the name of the hotel and its location. Later, when the Governor learned about Evans ’ escape, Rev. McLeery ( Evans in reality) showed him the question paper at the back of which, instructions were given to help Evans escape. These instructions were meant to misguide the jail authorities. However, the Governor was able to put together the index and centre numbers. With the six digit reference and the help of a survey map, the Governor came to know Evans had escaped to Chipping Norton. Now, the Governor could work out a plan to arrest Evans .

28. THANKYOU !!! Prepared by- Tanushka Tyagi Guided by- Sangita Biswas Ma’am