The Flying Classroom -Erich Kästner
Plot summary
The story covers the last few days of term before Christmas for the students of Johann-Sigismund Gymnasium, through the eyes of Johnathan - an
orphan who was adopted by a captain. The main characters, Johnathan and the
four other boys from his dormitory - students from the Tertia (Year 8) - spend
their free-time in an old railway carriage which is their secret meeting place.
One evening when they are there they meet a man called Robert (referred to by
the boys as Nichtraucher - or Nonsmoker - after the carriage they play in. He
attests himself to be the owner of the land and makes friends with the boys.
There is a bitter struggle between the students at St Thomas and the 'Externen'
(outsiders) after the outsiders steal the music of the sopranos and kidnap
Sebastian, son of the Direction Kreuzkamm. This results in a brawl between two
champions of each side - Matz and a hard-fought snow-ball fight, both of which
the six friends win, although they end up late for oratory demonstration. As a
punishment they have to write and perform a Christmas play. When playing in the
railway carriage, they discover a Christmas play called 'The Flying Classroom'
which they decide to perform as a rap - writing out music, inventing stage
effects and finding costumes. They invite Mona to join their troupe as a
dancer, after seeing her street-dance one evening, which corresponds to a
revolution, because girls are not actually allowed to participate. Dr. Johann
'Justus' Bökh hears the rehearsal and watches in amazement, which very quickly
turns into anger when he recognises the play. He forbids the boys to continue
rehearsing it, provoking Johnathan to angrily shout down the corridor at him
and kick one of the pieces of scenery, causing a fire which forces the school
to evacuate. In a meeting with the boys afterwards, Justus is forced to admit
why he banned the play - it was because he had written it with his friend Bob
who had subsequently escaped the Berlin Wall and fled to the West. The Stasi suspected Justus of aiding him and he had
to quit school and become an apprentice. After the meeting the boys realise
that Bob and Robert (the Nichtraucher) were the same person, and reunite the
two friends.
Meanwhile, Uli, the smallest boy who is often called a coward, decides at
this time to attempt something which will remove his reputation as a coward.
His best friend, Matz, has in the past encouraged him, until he sees Uli about
to run off the school roof suspended with two helium balloons. Uli crashes and
falls unconscious, his four friends believing he's dead. Justus allays their
fears that he is dead, but that he has a broken leg. The four boys gain the
help of Mona, Theo and some other boys in their year and perform 'Das Fliegende
Klassenzimmer' (The Flying Classroom) in a different style during the final
school concert. The depiction of the "war" between the students at St Thomas
and the outsiders, taken very seriously by both sides, seems to be Kästner's
wry way of commenting on grown-up wars and patriotism.
Characters
Jonathan Trotz, or Johnny - a half-American boy cast away by
his parents. He loves poetry and writing, and dreams of being a great writer
one day. He wants to marry a kind-hearted woman and have children - children
that he won't cast away.
Martin Thaler - a poor but bright student. His parents cannot afford
to have him travel home this Christmas and it troubles him very much. Martin
has a very strong sense of justice and will come out fighting with his friends
although it means risking his scholarship.
Matthias Selbmann, or Matz - not very clever, but strong. He
wants to be a professional boxer. The other children rely on him to smash their
opponents. Matz is somewhat overprotective towards his best friend, Uli.
Uli von Simmern - the blonde, small, underrated rich boy, best friend
of Matz. He always tries to do his best during fighting - but usually ends up
hiding in fear. Uli decides to perform an act of bravado to make the others
stop poking fun at him.
Sebastian Frank, or Sepp - the cynical of the five. He spends
time reading 'smart books', such as ones dealing with genetics or philosophy.
Although he hangs out a lot with Jonathan and the other guys, he actually has
no real friends and is a lonely figure, putting up a cold mask to cover his own
weaknesses.
Theodor Laban - called Der Schöne Theo (The beautiful Theo). He
is Martin's prefect, busy trying to make himself look good in the eyes of the
teachers.
Dr Johann Bökh, nicknamed Justus - the children's favourite
teacher. He was a student of the Johann-Sigismund School and knows well how
hard life in the school can be. That's why he returned to the school - to
ensure that children don't have to suffer, like he did.
Dr. Robert Uthofft, nicknamed Nichtraucher - an old friend of
Justus. He was a medical doctor. When he lost his wife and child, he
disappeared, and later took residence in a trailer situated next to his old
school. His nickname does not relate to his not smoking (he does, very much so)
but to his living in an old railway carriage, which still bears a sign that
reads "non-smoking".
The story covers the last few days of term before Christmas for the students of Johann-Sigismund Gymnasium, through the eyes of Johnathan - an
orphan who was adopted by a captain. The main characters, Johnathan and the
four other boys from his dormitory - students from the Tertia (Year 8) - spend
their free-time in an old railway carriage which is their secret meeting place.
One evening when they are there they meet a man called Robert (referred to by
the boys as Nichtraucher - or Nonsmoker - after the carriage they play in. He
attests himself to be the owner of the land and makes friends with the boys.
There is a bitter struggle between the students at St Thomas and the 'Externen'
(outsiders) after the outsiders steal the music of the sopranos and kidnap
Sebastian, son of the Direction Kreuzkamm. This results in a brawl between two
champions of each side - Matz and a hard-fought snow-ball fight, both of which
the six friends win, although they end up late for oratory demonstration. As a
punishment they have to write and perform a Christmas play. When playing in the
railway carriage, they discover a Christmas play called 'The Flying Classroom'
which they decide to perform as a rap - writing out music, inventing stage
effects and finding costumes. They invite Mona to join their troupe as a
dancer, after seeing her street-dance one evening, which corresponds to a
revolution, because girls are not actually allowed to participate. Dr. Johann
'Justus' Bökh hears the rehearsal and watches in amazement, which very quickly
turns into anger when he recognises the play. He forbids the boys to continue
rehearsing it, provoking Johnathan to angrily shout down the corridor at him
and kick one of the pieces of scenery, causing a fire which forces the school
to evacuate. In a meeting with the boys afterwards, Justus is forced to admit
why he banned the play - it was because he had written it with his friend Bob
who had subsequently escaped the Berlin Wall and fled to the West. The Stasi suspected Justus of aiding him and he had
to quit school and become an apprentice. After the meeting the boys realise
that Bob and Robert (the Nichtraucher) were the same person, and reunite the
two friends.
Meanwhile, Uli, the smallest boy who is often called a coward, decides at
this time to attempt something which will remove his reputation as a coward.
His best friend, Matz, has in the past encouraged him, until he sees Uli about
to run off the school roof suspended with two helium balloons. Uli crashes and
falls unconscious, his four friends believing he's dead. Justus allays their
fears that he is dead, but that he has a broken leg. The four boys gain the
help of Mona, Theo and some other boys in their year and perform 'Das Fliegende
Klassenzimmer' (The Flying Classroom) in a different style during the final
school concert. The depiction of the "war" between the students at St Thomas
and the outsiders, taken very seriously by both sides, seems to be Kästner's
wry way of commenting on grown-up wars and patriotism.
Characters
Jonathan Trotz, or Johnny - a half-American boy cast away by
his parents. He loves poetry and writing, and dreams of being a great writer
one day. He wants to marry a kind-hearted woman and have children - children
that he won't cast away.
Martin Thaler - a poor but bright student. His parents cannot afford
to have him travel home this Christmas and it troubles him very much. Martin
has a very strong sense of justice and will come out fighting with his friends
although it means risking his scholarship.
Matthias Selbmann, or Matz - not very clever, but strong. He
wants to be a professional boxer. The other children rely on him to smash their
opponents. Matz is somewhat overprotective towards his best friend, Uli.
Uli von Simmern - the blonde, small, underrated rich boy, best friend
of Matz. He always tries to do his best during fighting - but usually ends up
hiding in fear. Uli decides to perform an act of bravado to make the others
stop poking fun at him.
Sebastian Frank, or Sepp - the cynical of the five. He spends
time reading 'smart books', such as ones dealing with genetics or philosophy.
Although he hangs out a lot with Jonathan and the other guys, he actually has
no real friends and is a lonely figure, putting up a cold mask to cover his own
weaknesses.
Theodor Laban - called Der Schöne Theo (The beautiful Theo). He
is Martin's prefect, busy trying to make himself look good in the eyes of the
teachers.
Dr Johann Bökh, nicknamed Justus - the children's favourite
teacher. He was a student of the Johann-Sigismund School and knows well how
hard life in the school can be. That's why he returned to the school - to
ensure that children don't have to suffer, like he did.
Dr. Robert Uthofft, nicknamed Nichtraucher - an old friend of
Justus. He was a medical doctor. When he lost his wife and child, he
disappeared, and later took residence in a trailer situated next to his old
school. His nickname does not relate to his not smoking (he does, very much so)
but to his living in an old railway carriage, which still bears a sign that
reads "non-smoking".