Mrs Tilcher's Class Flashcards
“The inky tadpoles changes from commas into exclamation marks.”
Tadpoles are like ink – spring is the time of year that they change from little eggs into tadpoles. Like them, the children are growing. Also reflects that they are learning more complex punctuation. Exclamation marks are used to show shock and surprise, showing that the children are becoming more excitable.
“The classroom glowed like a sweetshop”
Just as a sweet shop is full of colour and exciting things that children love, so too the classroom was bright and a happy place to be.
“You ran through the gates, impatient to be grown, as the sky split open into a thunderstorm”
Pathetic Fallacy:
The electricity has built up in the air so much that it causes a storm. This could reflect the idea that puberty is looming or has arrived. Storm could reflect a violent ‘storm’ of emotions coming out in process.
“the chalky pyramid rubbed into dust”
The teacher is wiping the board, creating lots of dust. Seems magical that she can wipe out whole buildings with one wipe.
“Your asked her how you were born as Mrs Tilcher smiled, then turned away
She smiles but sends them away, showing that she has done her job for them as children, but now it’s time to move on.
“jumping and croaking away from the lunch queues”
Harsh sound, links to the idea of voices breaking, furthering the idea of growing up.
