A final exam question "why was the idea of demerits as a punishment funny to the boys? Why wouldn't it work?

Question

Ok so I read the book and watched the movie but this is one of the questions my teacher asked for the final exam questions on the movie. Please Help!

Answer 1

Ummm.... which book and film? It'd help if we knew what we're talking about... ;)

Generally, demerits are "negative points" that later lead to some sort of consequence... detention, loss of priviledges/money, or maybe number of spanks, if physical punishment is employed.

So my guess would be that in whichever book/film you're talking about, the consequences of demerits weren't serious enough to actually bother the boys.