In Mrs Tilschers Class Flashcards
“You”
Use of second person = shows this is a universal experience, invites the reader in.
“Blue Nile”
Metaphore
Opens with image of a river= always moving and changing, sets up main theme
“chanted”
W.C.
Sense that this is done repeatedly = rhythm and safety, Duffy feels peace in class
“rubbed into dust”
Imagery
Fact that Mrs T can draw then rub away big things makes her seem powerful = shows how Duffy looks up to her
“A window opened with a long pole”
Symbolism
Information so far is straight forward and factual, not ambiguous. Window symbolises outside world and danger it brings = Mrs T is preparing them for this contrast
“The laugh of a bell swung by a running child “
Personification
The bell is like a child which injects playfulness = for Duffy all parts of school brings joy
“Enthralling books”
Sentence structure
Emphasised how exciting the books are = she loves Mrs T and school for the knowledge they bring
“The classroom glowed like a sweetshop”
Simile
Just like we think of a sweetshop as a colourful place, so it tells us the classroom is a vibrant place with pictures and colour. To Duffy the classroom is as appealing as a sweetshop for the knowledge it brings, colour represents this.
“sugar paper”
W.C.
The idea of sugar and knowledge is brought together. Sugar is associated with energy, paper with learning = strengthens the idea that learning is like a sugar rush.
“Brady and Hindley”
Enjambment + Juxtaposition
Colour and shapes from before juxtaposes the darkness and sinister tone that starts. This juxtaposition is emphasised by enjambment = B + H symbolise what she cannot comprehend, moral complexities
“Faded, like the faint, uneasy smudge of a mistake”
B & H compared to a mistake in a jotter. Just like you rub out a mistake so does Duffy try to forget B & H and what they did. Later on she writes over smudge with belief that Mrs T. loves her.
“Mrs Tilscher loved you”
Juxtaposition
Contrast in B&H and what she believes Mrs.T feels. Again trying to forget B&H. Mrs.T is emotional shield against what B&H symbolise. Reminded this is from young Duffy’s perspective, the love is not reciprocated. Duffy cannot yet understand the complexities of love.
“slowly, carefully”
Adverbs
Emphasised how she is trying to immerse herself back into the classroom. Trying to distract herself in hypnotic actions.
We can tell she is still distracted, sinister tone in shaving the pencil.
“From another form”
Creates the idea of the music creeping in unwelcome. Another form suggests a place outside of Mrs.T, more complicated and now, after B&H, more dangerous
“Easter term”
Symbolism
Easter is traditionally a symbol of rebirth.if Easter symbolises rebirth, in verse three we not only have an emotional/intellectual change but a physical one too.
“inky”
Word choice
Inky connects to communication and writing. Duffy is connecting growing up to communication and vocabulary. As Duffy grows up she is able to express herself.
“From commas into exclamation marks”
Symbolism/sentence structure
The short sentence makes journey from commas to exclamation marks, emphasising the speed. The commas/exclamation marks symbolise the children, Duffy is telling us how quickly it seemed her childhood is changing or disappearing
“Three frogs”
Symbolism
Symbolises her desire to leave. Like Duffy they grew up in one environment but now they get to leave and she feels trapped in school. Shows how she wants to grow up and experience life.
“a dunce”
Imagery
Normally someone who is not as academically able as others. Duffy is starting to rank her classmates, showing a development of opinions.
“A rough boy”
Word choice
She is becoming aware of class differences and is starting to categorize her classmates. We can tell she thinks of this boy as lower or inferior. Her awareness of ‘superiority’ shows a developing self awareness.
“Told you how you were born”
Word choice
The boy, inferior to her, now becomes a symbol of dirty ambiguous knowledge. Juxtaposition between this dirty knowledge and knowledge she learned when she was young.
“Appalled”
Weird choice
Means to be shocked or disgusted which emphasises her horror and confusion with the ambiguous knowledge she is starting to learn
“feverish”
Word choice
Connects to ideas of a hot sweaty summer as well as ideas of puberty and restlessness that comes with growing up. Could also suggest time pushing quickly and with that comes confusion.
“A tangible alarm”
Extended metaphor
This reminds us of the laughing bell from earlier. Before it suggested innocence and joy, now it’s served as a warning of what is to come.
“heavy sexy sky”
Word choice
Sexy refers back to what the rough boy told her. She has accepted that it’s true. She has matured more since then. Self consciousness as she realises this is how some people may see her now.
“You asked her”
Enjambment
Emphasises the word her. Attitude towards Mrs T has changed, now has human pronouns. There is no longer the sense of hero worship like before. She has learnt her teachers flaws.
“Mrs Tilscher smiled,”
Wry smile from Mrs T. She understands that Duffy has grown up her job is done. Irony here that Duffy’s education had finished with an unanswered question.
“Reports were handed out”
Short sentence structure
Emphasises the finality of that stage in her life. A report is a very formal assessment of her knowledge and who she is, juxtaposing the adult complicated knowledge she is soon to learn.
“ran”
Word choice
Illustrates her excitement and curiosity for the next stage of her life. Running emphasises her enthusiasm to leave primary school and Mrs T behind.
“thunderstorm”
Just like a thunderstorm is a really odd energy so had Duffy been waiting and anticipating this moment. Thunderstorm rain could also symbolise cleansing, ready for the next stage in her life.
