Why wasn Pauline singing?
[jp] In context, Pauline was making the following rather bold statement, almost unconsciously: she did not feel like she was part of this system and, furthermore, she was thumbing her nose at those parts of the culture which the system held very dear but which she did not. Pauline’s not singing wasn’t a small thing, it wasn’t a passive abstention, and it wasn’t funny in this environment. For proof, look at the reaction she got. Pauline was rebuked by a scowl from the headmistress, Miss Stewart. Imagine being chastised this severely for doing something as innocuous as sitting quietly during assembly. The pressures to conform here were very great indeed. Pauline lowers her eyes and starts to sing, in time for the final line, but her expression is dark.
