In Mrs Tilscher’s Class Flashcards
What are the key themes of ‘In Mrs Tilscher’s Class’?
Growing up/change, ending of relationships, loss (of childhood innocence).
What do the first two stanzas cover?
The poet’s happy childhood experiences in he primary school - how she felt safe and happy and enjoyed learning.
What do the second two stanzas cover?
The poet’s transition into adolescence and the end of childhood, how Mrs Tilscher was no longer enough and she seeked wider horizons.
What is a quote that shows the happy and safe atmosphere of the classroom?
“The laugh of a bell” personification shows that the school was a joyful place, “glowed” suggesting warmth, vibrant and welcoming and “sweet shop” suggesting a variety of interesting topics to be covered and treats for a child.
What is a quote that shows the change undergone by the child through the year?
“Commas into exclamation marks” - this relates to the children changing as well as the tadpoles, and how growing up can be exciting as exclamation marks suggest surprise.
What is a quote that reflects the child’s feelings at the end of the term?
“Thunderstorm” - this use of pathetic fallacy reflects how getting older can be unexpected, dangerous and unpleasant but also exciting, like a thunderstorm. “Impatient to be grown” shows how she was now eager to move on to a new phase of life.
