Tom Brown at Rugby in Bloomington, MN

Tom Brown's School Days begins by tracing Brown's early childhood, one that was characteristic of Victorian Britain. He grows up in the Vale of White Horse, a region of Oxfordshire in England. An exuberant and active child, he has a relatively moral upbringing and gets along well with the local boys. The first school Brown enrolls in is a nearby public primary school. During his year there, he excels at sports more than academics. In his free time, he enjoys riding his pony through the valleys near his home. The following fall, he transfers to a private school, which is shortly, thereafter, struck with a fever epidemic. As an emergency measure, the school cancels class, sending all of its students to find different options. Brown transfers to Rugby School.As soon as Brown starts classes at Rugby School, a classmate named Harry East, or "Scud," takes him under his wing. His friendship with Scud helps him deal with a vicious bully who goes by Flashman. Flashman's antagonism only increases during the term. Their nemesis relationship culminates when Flashman orders Brown to fork over a winning sweepstake entry for a horse race. Flashman seeks retribution by burning Brown next to a fire pit during a social event. Ultimately, Brown and East band together with an older friend named Diggs to defeat Flashman. They succeed, allowing Brown to finally feel safe at school.