Haviland's Chum

"Haviland's Chum" by Bertram Mitford is a novel written in the late 19th century. Set in the context of an English boys’ school, the story revolves around the experiences of Haviland, a prefect, and his interactions with a new classmate, Mpukuza, an African boy from the Zulu nation. The narrative explores themes of bullying, friendship, and cultural differences within the camaraderie and rivalries typical of school life during that period. At the start of the story, readers are introduced to Haviland as he intervenes to protect Mpukuza from bullying by a group of boys at their school, Saint Kirwin's. Mpukuza, who is mocked for being different, slowly fits into the school environment, especially after Haviland's support. The school culture is depicted vividly, highlighting the dynamics between boys and the authority of prefects. The narrative is marked by Haviland's internal struggles with school authority and his eagerness for adventure, while Mpukuza brings a unique perspective into this boys’ world, revealing both the challenges faced by the new boy and the beginnings of a promising friendship between him and Haviland.