When Jim Drummond is hired by Dr. Hotchkiss as an English instructor on a two-year contract, he is given one priority: publish. The dean informs him that their university has no room for “Mr. Chips,” a fictional character who is known for being a teacher but not a scholar. When Jim settles the new housing arrangements for his family, the university arranges for him to take the house of an Dr. Turner, and Economics professor who will be moving into a larger house. While making small chat, Dr. Turner informs Jim that he made a terrible mistake by settling for an instructorship contract rather than a position as assistant professor. With his first baby in the family, Jim starts to feel the pressure of performing the way the university wants. He is overloaded with teaching introduction classes, none of which involve his specialty in Old English language. Between getting swamped with papers and preparing for lectures, Jim also must make time to help Steve, one of his students who comes in regularly for office hours. He is pressed at first about making the extra time, but Jim comes to enjoy personally helping his student. Steve brings over his friend Jeff, and Jim spends even more time trying to help both of them. Meanwhile, Jim starts to get behind on scholarship and is pressured by Dr. Hotchkiss to publish something. He starts questioning the importance of his research, feeling like Old English language will have no influence or meaning to anyone. He slowly starts brushing up pieces of his dissertation to be published and spends more time helping Jeff, who comes to him as a sort of life mentor and friend. While rushing to finalize a publication and dealing with a sick baby at home, Jeff comes to Jim in tears because of a breakup. Jim tells Jeff that he simply has no time and must come back tomorrow. Jeff storms off angrily in tears, and an hour later, he commits suicide. After hearing the news, Jim spends a few days in shock and rips his manuscript into shreds.