Bells

The film begins with ringing bells. This is a great entrance to a memory, similar to ringing a doorbell to enter a house. The bells also portray the same feeling as the loud chorus of music comes in and out of the film, where the evolution of time is shown through montages of boys stating their names, uniform changes, seasons, sports, etc. The reason I mention the bells is because the bells are symbolic of Mr. Chips's mannerisms. They are reliable, stable, and always there. They also reference religion and religion is about community, love, and being and good person. Coincidently, the only time in the film when the bells stop is when Mr. Chips is very sick and dying and head master orders that the bells be stopped.

Sandra Powers