Mrs Tilschers Class Flashcards
(7 cards)
Emotional Trauma
“Heavy, sexy sky”
The pathetic fallacy and more mature word choice illustrate the difficulty and weight of growing up and leaving a carefree childhood behind.
Isolation
“A rough boy told you how you were born/stared at your parents, appalled, when you got back home.”
Shows the knowledge which maturing brings, making her feel isolated and estranged from her parents.
Loss
“Heavy, sexy sky”
“A rough boy told you how you were born/stared at your parents, appalled, when you got back home.”
The loss of innocence and the carefree nature of childhood.
Change
Love
“Mrs. Tilscher loved you.”
The short sentence demonstrates the simplicity and certainty of love experienced in childhood.
Contrast
“The classroom glowed like a sweet shop.”
“Reports were handed out.”
The stark change in the poet’s perception of school - from a place of wonder to more of an institution.
Childhood Experiences
“A skittle of milk”
The metaphor of a skittle to describe the shape of the bottle brings to mind ideas of childhood games - to children, school can be a place of fun and entertainment.
