In Mrs Tilscher's Class: Stanza Two

Overview of “In Mrs Tilscher’s Class: Stanza Two”

• The second stanza of “In Mrs Tilscher’s Class” sees a shift in the child’s perspective as they begin to mature and perceive the world differently.

• The classroom is still portrayed as a welcoming space, but there’s also a growing awareness of the complexities of the outside world.

• This stanza retains the sensory experiences characteristic of childhood but introduces elements reflective of a gradual transition towards adolescence.

Key Aspects in “In Mrs Tilscher’s Class: Stanza Two”

• Nature and its changes are heavily emphasised in this stanza. The change from winter to spring mirrors the child’s personal growth and increasing curiosity about the outer world.

• Duffy uses a range of visual and auditory imagery to depict the changing season.

• The image of the ‘frogspawn turning into tadpoles’ stands as a metaphor for the child’s development and coming of age.

Analysis of Language and Imagery in “In Mrs Tilscher’s Class: Stanza Two”

• Carol Ann Duffy utilises sensory language to vividly illustrate the changes occurring both within and outside the class. She uses phrases like ‘the inky tadpoles changed from commas into exclamation marks’ to reflect the excitement of discovery.

• The repetition of the word ‘growing’ along with the phrase ‘you could tell the weather by frogs’ emphasises the notion of child maturation mirroring nature’s cyclic patterns.

• Duffy uses the symbol of the chalky Pyramids rubbed into dust to signify the loss of innocence and the ebbing away of childhood fantasies.

This stanza represents a turning point in the poem, marking the transition from a carefree, protected environment to one of growing awareness and curiosity. It portrays childhood innocence beginning to be tarnished by the complexities and ambiguities of the adult world.