Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

 "The Good Teachers" by Carol Ann Duffy is a nostalgic and sharply observant poem that delves into the complex relationships between students and their teachers. It captures the ways in which teachers can leave a lasting impact on their students, for better or worse, and explores the emotional dynamics of admiration, fear, and rebellion within the classroom setting.

The poem begins with a scene of youthful enthusiasm, as the speaker recalls the eagerness to rejoin the class, metaphorically "run round the back to be in it again." The teachers are described as "virtuous women," small yet significant, who have the power to size up the students from their authoritative vantage point at the front of the classroom.

Miss Ross, who teaches history, is remembered not just for the subjects she taught ("South Sea Bubble Defenestration of Prague") but for the ghostly imprint she leaves on the speaker's mind—symbolized by the breath on the glass. This image suggests that the impact of a good teacher can be both ephemeral and haunting.

The speaker expresses deep admiration for Miss Pirie, under whose tutelage the speaker excels, driven by the emotional connection ("You love Miss Pirie. So much, you are top of her class"). The poem conveys the intensity of this student-teacher relationship through the detailed description of Miss Pirie’s eyes and the poetic inspiration she provides. The mixed description of her eyes—one kind and intelligent, the other cruel—suggests the complexity of her character and the nuanced responses she evokes in the student.

Conversely, teachers like Miss Sheridan, Miss Appleby, and Miss Webb are mentioned in a context of subjects that perhaps didn’t resonate with or inspire the student. This indifference or disconnect highlights that not all educational experiences are transformative or positive, reflecting the reality that students may connect with some teachers while feeling alienated from others.

The closing stanzas shift to a broader reflection on the student's life trajectory—from the rebellious rolling of the skirt’s waistband and smoking, emblematic of teenage defiance, to the life stages of "dancing, lovebites, marriage," and finally to a mundane adulthood ("the Cheltenham and Gloucester"). The poem concludes on a reflective note, suggesting that the path taken, possibly diverging from the aspirations held in youth, might be regretted in hindsight ("The day you’ll be sorry one day").

Throughout "The Good Teachers," Duffy uses a mix of specific memories and broad generalizations to paint a vivid picture of school life that resonates with the bittersweet feelings of growing up. The poem captures the enduring influence of teachers—both good and bad—and how these early interactions shape us in ways that only become clear in later life. It's a tribute to the profound, sometimes unnoticed impact teachers have on their students, weaving together personal growth, academic learning, and the inevitable march towards adulthood.

POEM TEXT: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LfPEvgEym1hHzFJ4ACnwJTXllkVxtvQwo7RiYV9w5c0/edit#heading=h.gjdgxs

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