Читать книгу A Big Circle of Friends - Erica Bentel - Страница 26

MR JONES’ CLASSROOM. AFTER LUNCH

When they all get back into the classroom for the second half of their double period, Mr Jones proceeds to discuss various forms of government.

They discuss tyranny and despotism, using Zimbabwe as a case in point. Benevolent despots. Democracies — focusing on the United States of America and Australia. Monarchies. The rise of socialism and communism in Russia and China. They compare countries ruled under secular rule as opposed to those under religious rule. Which leads to the question of freedom of religion, which of course leads them to freedom of speech and freedom of the press. ‘Minority groups’ is the next topic under discussion. How they fare under the various forms of government. Discrimination against other ethnic groups, against women.

It is like a crash course in political science. By the end of the period, when the bell rings, Mr Jones is exhausted, but the boys don’t want to leave. He has to finally shove them out the classroom with the promise that they can continue the following day.

It is during this break that Taffy Jones’ idea finds form. He heads off to see if he can catch up with the principal.