Evans Tries An O- Level by Colin Dexter, Summary, Questions & Answers

Chapter:7

Evans Tries An O-Level                                                 Colin Dexter

SUMMARY             The story revolves around a thief named Evans who has thrice escaped from prison and is again in the prison doing his fourth term. It begins with the Governor of HM prison, Oxford talking to the Secretary of the Examination Board seeking his permission to conduct an O-Level German examination for Evans who wants to have an academic qualification. The Secretary tries to get some details about him. The Governor tells him that his name is James Roderick Evans; he is not violent but he is a kleptomaniac. The Secretary agrees to conduct his examination in his own cell. Before the exam, Evans was allowed to shave his face. Jackson asked him to remove his hat but he said that it’s a kind of lucky charm for him and got permission to keep it until the exam was over. At the appointed time the invigilator arrived and was met by Jackson in the D wing. Jackson handed him into Stephen’s keeping. Stephen introduced him to Evans and at 9:25 a. m. the exam started. As per the Governor’s instruction, McLeery was called out of the cell and completely examined. Jackson found a rubber ring, spectacles and a knife in his suitcase McLeery explained that he was suffering from haemorrhoids that’s why he kept the rubber ring and knife was taken away by Jackson. At 9:40 a.m. there was a call from examination department. The Assistant Secretary special responsibility for Modern Languages wanted to make some correction in the question paper. The correction was made. Stephen stood out of Evans’ cell all the while during examination peeping through the peep-hole every minute. Evans’ sat with his pen in the mouth all the while. The invigilator sat askew holding the collar of his coat with his index finger. During the examination there was again a call from Magistrate’s court. They needed a prison van and a couple of prison officers. The Governor feared it to be a hoax. At 11:22 a.m. there was again a call. This time the Governor asked Stephens to accompany Mc Leary to the prison gate and he himself was to make it sure that the door of Evans’ cell was locked after the invigilator had gone. Stephen was happy that the Governor had told him and not Jackson who was the senior prisoner officer. When Stephens returned to have a last look at Evans’ cell, he was all aghast by whatever he saw. A man had fallen back into Evans’ chair. For a semi-second Stephens thought, he must be Evans’. There was all blood on his clothes, face and head. Stephens called Jackson and both of them took McLeery to the Governor in the prison yard. He was again and again asking to inform the police. He was trying to draw Governor’s attention towards the paper. The Governor at once noticed that a photocopied sheet had been carefully and cleverly superimposed over the last page of the question paper. As he had taken German in the sixth class, he could translate the things written there. Soon Detective Supritendent Carter reached there. The Governor asked him to take McLeery along with him as only he knew what had happened. The Governor thought that it was because of Stephens and Jackson so he scolded them badly. The Governor read the question paper further and he came to know that Evans might have gone to Newbury. He told this to Chief Inspector Bell. He asked his driver to take Jackson and Stephens to St. Aldates police station. Meanwhile Suprintendent Carter called the Governor and told him that they saw Evans driving off the Elsefield Way and he might have doubled back into the city. But the Governor explained that he might have gone to Newbury as he had already read the note. The Governor asked Carter where he left Evans. He said that Evans was in the Radcliff. But when the Governor enquired at the Radcliffe, he came to know that there was no such person. When checked, it was found that the original McLeery was lying in his flat right from 8:30 a.m. gagged and tied. The Governor understood the whole matter now. Meanwhile Evans had reached the hotel. He took the keys from the reception and entered his room and there he saw that the Governor was already sitting there. He told the Governor that leaving the question paper was not a mistake; the problem was that they couldn’t fix up any hotel. He said that the important thing was for the phone to ring just before the exam finished. He asked the Governor how he reached there. The Governor explained that using the Ordinance survey map of Oxfordshire anybody could reach there. He was still puzzled about the blood and asked about the rubber ring. Evans confirmed it. The Governor also wanted to know how he executed his plans as he had no visitors or letters. Evans said that with the help of his friends he was able to manage all that. He said even his German teacher was also in league with him. At the reception, Evans winked at the girl, she winked back at him and it made his day. There was a prison van outside the hotel. A silent prison officer handcuffed Evans and they left. But the people in the van were Evans’ friends and so he again escaped.

Theme

The story revolves around the theme that between crime and punishment, it is mainly the battle of wits. Each time, Evans commits a crime, he escapes because of his wit.

Setting

Most of the action takes place in the H M Prison Oxford. The places such as Elsefield way, Newbury and Center of Chipping Norton also form the part of action.

Characters

1.     Evans :    He is a kleptomaniac who has thrice escaped from jail and he is again in the jail for                               his fourth term.

2.     Governor :He is the Governor of H. M. Prison Oxford. He is quite a gullible person.

3.    Secretary : He is the Secretary of the Examinations Board. He allows to conduct the                                               examination in the prison.

4.    Jackson :    He is the senior prison officer.

5.    Stephens :       He is a junior prison officer.

6.   Rev. S. Mc Leery :    He is the invigilator assigned to invigilate Evans’s exam.

7.   Carter :          He is detective superintendent.

8.   Bell      :          He is detective chief inspector.

Main Points

1.        It was in early March that the Secretary of the Examinations Board and      the Governor had a             talk about conducting an examination for Evans.

2.        Evans was having night classes in German from September. He was dead   keen on getting                   some academic qualification.

3.        His full name was James Roderick Evans.

4.       The Governor told the Secretary that Evans was bit of a card and one of    the stars at                            Christmas concerts. He was also a kleptomaniac.

5.      They decided to conduct the exam in Evans’ cell and to have an     invigilator from St. Mary               Mags.

6.      The prison authorities called him ‘Evans the Break.’

7.     There was a wave of unrest in the maximum security establishments up  north that’s why he                was brought in the Governor’s prison.

8.    The Governor himself was going to make it sure that Evans wouldn’t disgrace them this time.

9.     A day before exam Evans’ German teacher wished him good luck in the Recreational Block.

10.   On the day of exam, Jackson and Stephens visited Evans’ cell and Jackson asked Stephens to               take away the razor after he was finished with shaving.

11.   Jackson had already removed all the possible weapons such as nail scissors and nail file from              his cell.

12.  While leaving Jackson asked him to remove his hat as well but he managed to get the                           permission to keep his hat as he said that it was his lucky charm.

13.   Jackson asked Stephens to cut his hair as well which were like that of  Shirley Temple.

14.   On the day of exam, at 8:45 in the morning Rev. Stuart McLeery started    for HM prison with            all necessary things in this briefcase.

15.   The two hour examination was scheduled to start at 9:15 a.m.

16.   Stephens arranged chairs in his room and Jackson asked him to be   cautious as they had                       fitted microphone in his room.

17.   The Rev. S. Mc Leery entered the prison at the appointed time. He was greeted by Jackson and             then handed over to Stephens who took him to Evans’ cell.

18.    Evans had a textbook of Elementary German Grammar in his hand.

19.   Governor switched on the receiver at 9:10 a.m. It seemed that Evans wouldn’t make any                      attempt to escape as he was perhaps serious about his exams.

20.   Moreover, there was the thought that if he wanted to escape, he could have done that from the              Recreational Block which would be much easier.

21.  Evans was sitting in a locked cell, all the prison officers on alert, two more locked doors                       between  his cell and the yard with a wall as high as the haystack. Evans was as safe as houses.

22.   But the Governor still had some doubts. He asked Jackson to examine the invigilator.

23.   The invigilator was called out of Evans’s cell. He found a pair of readin glasses, some books                and a semi-inflated rubber ring.

24.  The invigilator explained that he was suffering from haemorrhoids that’s why he carry the                   rubber ring.

25.   The invigilator made him write the paper no., index no., and centre no.

26.  The examination started at 9:25 a.m. and at 9:40 a.m. there was a call from the examination                department asking when the exam started and informing about a correction in the paper.

27.   The Governor connected the phone to D-Wing and the correction was made.

28.   There was a call from Magistrate’s court. They demanded a prison van and a couple of prison              officer.

29.    Stephens was continuously peeping into the cell.

30.    At 10:51 a.m. Stephens noticed a grey regulation blanket around Evans’ shoulders.

31.   At 11:22 Stephens was called out. It was Governor’s call. He wanted Stephens to accompany             the invigilator to the main prison gates; and to make absolutely sure that the door was locked on         Evans after Mc Leery left the cell.

32.  When Stephens returned after seeing the man out, he saw that a man sprawled in Evans chair               and  there was blood all over.

33.   Stephens called Jackson who dispatched orders. Soon the bells were ringing and sirens were                sounding.

34.   They took the invigilator to the Governor. He gave the question paper to the Governor and told            him that he knew where Evans had gone.

35.   Detective Superintendent Carter reached there. Governor asked him to take  the invigilator                  along  with him.

36.   The Governor scolded Jackson and Stephens. On reading the question paper, he realized that                Evans might have gone to Newbury.

37.  Later when the Governor called the Radcliffe hospital, he came to know that the real invigilator           was lying in his flat with his hands and feet tied and mouth gagged.

38.  The Governor understood that it was Evans impersonating McLeery who had stayed in.

39.  Evans had reached Golden Lion, the hotel but when he opened the door of his room, he found             the Governor sitting there.

40.  The Governor had understood everything except the presence of blood which Evans said that it           was because of the rubber ring.

41.  The Governor was surprised how he managed all that without anybody ever visiting him. Evans         said that he had lots of friends and his German teacher was his friend.

42.   Later at the reception Evans winked at the receptionist who winked back at him and it almost              made his day.

43.  The Governor saw him out but all the people in the prison van were Evans’ friend so Evans                 escaped again.

GLOSSARY

Chap                            -           Fellow, Guy

Card                            -           Unusual

Imitation                     -           Mimicry, Copy

Kleptomaniac              -           Obsessive impulse to steal

Incommunicado          -           Isolated, Solitary confinement

Persistent                     -           Constant, Perpetual

Dank Schon                -           Thank you very much

Grubby                        -           Dirty, Unwashed

Bunk                           -           Bed, Berth

Burly                           -           Strong, Sturdy

Bobble                         -           A tufted ball on a hat

Surly                            -           Ill-tempered, Sulky

Smouldered                 -           Burn, Seethe

Mug                             -           Face

Contemptuous             -           Scornful, Disdainful

Leered                         -           Sneer, Stare

Filthy                           -           Dirty, Soiled

Drizzle                         -           Shower, Mizzle

Battered                      -           Threadbare, Worn out

Swath                          -           Strip, Space

Bug                             -           Annoy, Irritate

Minister                       -           Priest, Pastor

Riveted                       -           Rooted, Fixed

Frisked                        -           Search, Check

Hitherto                       -           So far, Till now

Amiable                       -           Pleasant, Friendly

Ruffled                       -           Disturbed, Upset

Pleasantry                    -           Humorous comment, remark

Haemorrhoids             -           Piles

Demeanour                  -           Behaviour, Deportment

Staccato                      -           Disconnected, Short abrupt sound

Bleep                           -           Brief high pitched sound

Askew                         -           Aslant, Lopsided

Meticulously               -           Very careful, Painstaking

Manicured                   -           Cosmetic treatment of nails

Fishy                           -           Doubtful, Suspicious

Daft                             -           Crazy, Foolish

Squelchy                     -           Soggy, Sodden

Wodge                         -           Lump, Piece

Perplexed                    -           Baffled, Bewildered

Grim                            -           Grave, Serious

Dredging                     -           Unearth, Bring up

Crescendo                   -           Gradual increase in volume

Tarnished                    -           Faded, Lackluster

Squealed                     -           Screeched, Screamed

Scathing                      -           Caustic, Burning

Blithering                    -           Stupid, Jabbering

Paraphernalia               -           Kit, Articles used in a particular activity

Strident                       -           Harsh, Cacophonous

Gullible                       -           Innocent, Naive

Groggy                        -           Weak, Unsteady

Gagged                       -           A piece of cloth stuffed into mouth

Wreckage                    -           Remains, Ruin

Ruefully                      -           Sorrowfully, Remorsefully

Reluctant                     -           Unwilling, Disinclined

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1.      What unusual request did the Governor make to the Secretary of the Examination     Board?

Ans:  The Governor requested the Secretary to conduct an examination for Evans as he was interested in having a certificate in German O-Level.

2.         What information did the Governor offer to the Secretary about Evans?

Ans:    The Governor told him that his full name was James Roderick Evans and he was a pleasant sort of chap who did imitations in the Christmas concerts. He also told the Secretary that Evans was a congenital kleptomaniac.

3.         Why was Evans in the Governor’s prison?

Ans:    There was a wave of unrest in the maximum security establishments up north and so there might be a chance of his escapade. Therefore, to make sure that Evans should not escape this time, the Governor might have taken that step.

4.         What reason did Evans extend for not removing his hat?

Ans:    Evans said that the hat was the only thing that has ever brought any luck for him. It was a kind of lucky charm for him and with his exam on that day, he wanted to keep that on.

5.         What was the actual reason of not removing the hat?

Ans:    Evans did not remove his hat because he did not want to show them that he had cut his    hair. This would raise doubt in their minds and his escapade plan could fail. Therefore to make his escapade successful, he kept it on.

6.         What was the invigilator carrying in his suitcase?

Ans:    The invigilator was carrying 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.

7.         Why did Evans not try his escape from the Recreational Block?

Ans:    Evans didn’t try his escape from the Recreational Block he knew that the prison officers must have suspected such attempts by him and so all his attempts would fail and nothing would come out of that.

8.         “Evans was as safe as houses…” Explain.

Ans:    Evans was kept in a locked cell; all the prison officers were on alert; there were two more   locked doors between his cell and the yard and there was a wall as high as a haystack. Thus   it was almost impossible for Evans to escape.

9.         What reason did the invigilator extend for carrying the rubber ring?

Ans:    The invigilator said that he was suffering from haemorrhoids and when he had to sit for a long time, he needed some support. That’s why he was carrying a rubber ring.

10.       What was the actual reason of carrying the rubber ring?

Ans:    The invigilator was carrying blood in the rubber ring. The blood was to be used by Evans in the last part of the exam, to spatter on his face. The purpose was to confuse the authorities that he was not Evans but the invigilator.

11.       What was the correction slip about?

Ans:    On the third page, line number fourteen, fourth word was wrongly printed. The whole      phrase should have been “Zum Goldenen Lowen” whereas it was “Zum Goldene Lowen”.

12.       What instructions did Stephens receive three minutes before the end of the exam?

Ans:    Stephens was instructed that he himself was to accompany McLeery to main prison gates and he personally was to make absolutely sure that the door was locked on Evans after          McLeery had left the cell.

13.       How did the correction slip kill two birds with a single stone?

Ans:    The correction slip informed Evans that he was to reach Golden Lion and his friends came to know the time when the exam would end so that they could make their arrangements accordingly.

14.       How, according to Evans, clotting could be avoided?

Ans:    According to Evans, to avoid clotting the pig’s blood was to be mixed with one’s actual   blood with one tenth of its own volume of 3.8 per cent tri-sodium citrate.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1.       What could the Governor have done to securely bring back Evans to prison when he caught him at the Golden Lion? Does that final act of foolishness really prove that “he was just another good-for-giggle, gullible Governor, that was all?

Ans:   When the Governor caught Evans at the Golden Lion, he could himself have accompanied Evans to the prison to avoid all possibilities of his escape. But instead of doing so he relied on the prison officers which resulted in his failure again. He should have been more cautious. A wise person learns from the very first mistake but the Governor was really a good-for-giggle person. He repeated his mistake again and again. The biggest mistake was to take Stephens out the cell. If he hadn’t called Stephens out of the cell, nothing would have happened. Later, without any proper investigation he allowed Evans to go with detective inspector Carter. He should have made very wise and cautious moves.

2.         While we condemn the crime, we are sympathetic to the criminal. Is this the reason why prison staff often develops a soft corner for those in custody?

Ans:    While we condemn crime, we are sympathetic towards the criminal because we know        that a   criminal is not always a bad person. Crime is quite often the result of circumstances. Poverty and adverse situations, in which one is left with no choice, make one adopt the wrong way. But their good qualities which may be more in number, automatically evoke sympathy in people’s heart     and they tend to ignore the crime. In ‘Evan Tries an O-Level’, Evans nature seemed to be very good towards the prison officers. Moreover, he was a good performer as well. This might be the reason why the prison officers developed sympathy towards him.

3.         Do you agree that between crime and punishment it is mainly a battle of wits?

Ans:    Yes, I agree that between crime and punishment it is mainly the battle of wits. A witty person goes scot free even after committing heinous crimes whereas the innocent person is caught and punished even for a trifle thing. The laws are used by witty people for their own interests. They know that the goddess of law is blindfolded and she believes only evidences. In “Evans Tries an O-Level” Evans tries to pull a wool over the authorities’ eyes and even succeeds in that. His wit is too much for the Governor to understand. The prison officers themselves carry him out of the prison and later even when caught by the Governor, he easily escapes before his eyes, without giving him any clue that he is doing so.

PREVIOUS YEARS' QUESTIONS

(2018)  Which article in McLeery’s suitcase played perhaps the most important role in Evans escape? How?                                                                                                                          [3 Marks]

(2016)  How did the governor Oxford prison describe Evans to the Secretary Examination Board?                                                                                                                                    [3 Marks]

(2013)   Give a character-sketch of the Governor of Oxford Prison based on your understanding of the story, 'Evans Tries an O-level'.                                                                             [7 Marks]

(2012) What were the contents of the small brown suitcase that McLeery carried?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          [2 Marks]

(2011)    What precautions were taken by the prison authorities to ensure that the German Exam was conducted smoothly and also under strict security?                                                   [7 Marks]

(2010)    Why did Evans not take off his hat when Jackson ordered him to do so?                                                                                                                                                              [2 Marks]