The Finishing School Overview

In Muriel Spark's The Finishing School, main characters Rowland and Chris butt heads in the process of developing their separate novels. Chris is a child prodigy with a successful writing career budding in front of, teacher, Rowland's eyes. With Rowland struggling to produce a masterpiece himself, he becomes irked by the talented student, obsessing over Chris' every move. Throughout the novel Rowland struggles with identity crisis and jealousy. He attempts to hold his cool and be the type of person society demands of him. But eventually after holding his tongue and letting his feelings fester he reaches the ultimate realization and is forced from denial.