THE friendships and memories made in school are often our most cherished. Unsurprisingly, the school story genre holds a special place in English literature.
While Hogwarts is the most famous fictional school, generations grew up enjoying Enid Blyton's 'Malory Towers'. Blyton's books have been beautifully adapted by CBBC into 'Malory Towers', the TV series (2020-present), for a new generation to experience.
The series brings to the screen the delightful world of Malory Towers, a girls' boarding school in England's idyllic countryside. Through young Darrell Rivers, viewers experience the joys of classroom pranks, lacrosse, secret midnight feasts, and dormitory stories of the school's ghost.
Set around the post-war 1940s, Malory Towers also depicts the war's lasting impact on everyday life. As a new girl, Darrell must overcome several personal challenges.
Although she works extremely hard, Darrell struggles in reading.
Her teacher Ms Potts diagnoses her with 'word-blindness' (dyslexia). Initially distressed, Darrell voices a desire not to have problems but to be 'normal'. Kindly Ms Potts assures her that "Having problems is normal… and overcoming them can only make you stronger".
Despite being a non-traditional learner, Darrell soon thrives thanks to her teachers' guidance.
The series demonstrates how caring teachers can transform a student's learning and life. And, at Malory Towers, the most important lessons are often learned outside the classroom.
As the school's venerable headmistress Ms Grayling says: "Exams aren't our only measure of success." She elaborates that "A Malory Towers success is someone goodhearted, kind, loyal and trustworthy". These are traits Darrell aspires to practise every day.
Blessed with great self-awareness, Darrell knows her other challenge is controlling her fiery temper. She went to Malory Towers for a fresh start after being expelled from her old school for allegedly assaulting a teacher.
But when the same teacher, Miss Gale, visits Malory Towers, it becomes apparent that she delights in gaslighting students.
When Darrell witnesses Miss Gale bullying another student, she physically confronts the teacher. Darrell is surprised when Ms Grayling commends her for harnessing her temper positively to defend the helpless against abusive authority.
As Ms Grayling notes: "A temper isn't only a negative. It shows spirit…" When coupled with her fine sense of justice, Darrell's temper gives her the courage to stand up for what's right.
An excellent example of children's courage is the episode, The Push. When Darrell's classmate Sally becomes dangerously ill, the school matron downplays her suffering. Although Darrell has vital information concerning Sally's condition, the matron dismisses her outright.
To save her friend, Darrell risks leaving school at night to fetch her father, a doctor.
When Mr Rivers learns that nobody paid attention to Darrell about Sally's illness, he rightly says: "They should never be that busy."
The episode shows how important it is for children to have the courage to speak up for themselves and others when adults refuse to listen to them.
Darrell's courage inspires her timid classmate, Mary-Lou, who fears everything. Exasperated by Mary-Lou's unwillingness to defend herself, Darrell says that people will always take advantage of her. But, as Sally sagely observes, Mary-Lou is actually "the bravest of us all".
Sally points out that although Mary-Lou is terrified of the school ghost, she finds the courage every night to sleep by their dorm's 'haunted' window.
Besides courage, another important lesson Darrell learns is the value of friendship. In the episode, The Open Day, Darrell worries that she hasn't found her "one particular friend" yet.
Her desperate attempts to secure a best friend only cause her anxiety. Later, when the other girls gather on Darrell's bed to laugh and joke, it's clear that just by being herself, Darrell has already found a community of good friends.
She has prank-loving Alicia, steadfast Sally, loyal Mary-Lou, and the amusingly absent-minded Irene.
The girls are brilliantly played by a talented young cast that effortlessly captures the magic of childhood.
Ella Bright shines brightly as Darrell, bringing a soulful depth beyond her years. Similarly, Jennifer Wigmore infuses her performance of Ms Grayling with strength and compassion, making the headmistress an inspiration for all educators.
Malory Towers the TV series brings Blyton's work into the 21st century. The school is now home to individuals of diverse ethnicities and appearances, where everyone is warmly welcomed, and children are encouraged and empowered.
Viewers of all ages, backgrounds and genders can enjoy and learn from the show's universal lessons about growing up, loyalty, courage, and friendship.
* The writer hopes to share insights into books and films to inspire appreciation for the power of stories
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
from New Straits Times https://ift.tt/reXLxEd
0 Comments