In Mrs Tilscher's Class: Comparisons

“In Mrs Tilscher’s Class: Comparisons”

Comparison with ‘Originally’

• Both ‘In Mrs Tilscher’s Class’ and ‘Originally’ explore the theme of childhood and the transformation associated with growing up.
• ‘Originally’ however, focuses on raw feelings of displacement after a move, whereas ‘In Mrs Tilscher’s Class’ describes a slow and natural evolution of self-awareness during schooling.
• Sense of safety explored in both poems: security of home in ‘Originally’ and safety within Mrs Tilscher’s class.

Comparison with ‘War Photographer’

• Contrasting settings: ‘In Mrs Tilscher’s Class’ is warm and inviting while ‘War Photographer’ presents harsh realities.
• Both depict professions - teaching and photography - but their impact on individuals is portrayed differently.
• Similar underlying theme of the passage of time: ‘In Mrs Tilscher’s Class’ sees progression from a child to adolescence, ‘War Photographer’ sees progress of suffering across time.

Comparison with ‘Valentine’

• Both feature unconventional imagery to represent their themes: the classroom and lessons for childhood in ‘In Mrs Tilscher’s Class’, the onion symbolising love in ‘Valentine’.
• Contrast in emotions: ‘In Mrs Tilscher’s Class’ mostly reflects happiness and security, ‘Valentine’ represents love as dangerous and tear-inducing.
• Both works, however, mark a journey towards self-awareness and understanding deeper implications.

Comparison with ‘Mrs Midas’

• Both recount stories through female perspectives, showcasing Duffy’s feminist approach.
• In ‘Mrs Midas’, the trouble brewing in paradise is due to external elements (Midas’ touch), whereas for ‘In Mrs Tilscher’s Class’, the turmoil originates internally (puberty).
• Both poems describe a transformation: ‘Mrs Midas’ discusses a physical one (things turning to gold), ‘In Mrs Tilscher’s Class’ focuses on psychological and emotional changes.