Page 1 - Lesson Notes

An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum

(Stephen Spender)

Theme

The poem describes an elementary school in a slum. Stephen Spender paints a gory picture of slum children

and their school, both victims of government apathy. With the gulf between the “haves” and the have-nots”

increasing, the children in the slums are deprived of their basic right to education. Their eyes dream of a

better future which is distant and beyond their reach.

Stephen Spender makes a frantic appeal to the educated and affluent sections of society to better the lot of

slum children whose only hope is education. Condemned as they are to a life-long poverty, ignominy, want

and dirt, these children must be provided with opportunities to experience the beauty of joy of life and learning.

The poet rues the grim fact that humanity at large and governments in particular adopt an unfeeling, unsympathetic

attitude towards these children. The poem is a bitter criticism of the state of education in slum schools.

Stanza1

Far far from-----------with rat’s eyes


 He presents the pathetic and miserable picture of the elementary classroom in a slum.They are far away
from the vibrant world
 These children have pale and lifeless faces.
 They are like rootless weeds which are uncared and unwanted with their disorderly hair
torn around their faces.
 They are depressed and oppressed with the burdens of life and keep their heads down.
 The boy is as thin as paper
 Eyes are filled with hunger,timideyes,looking for food.

Stanza 2

The stunted,unlucky---------------other than this.

 They have stunted growth.
 They are unlucky as they have inherited the diseases of their father.
 Both his voice and appearance are like his father’s deformed disease.
 Some of them do have dreams. A sweet young boy is sitting at the back of the dim
classroom. He is dreaming of a squirrel’s game in the trees and probably other
interesting things. The dullness and monotony of the classroom has yet not shattered the power of his
imagination.
Stanza 3

On sour cream walls---------Awarding the world its world
 The walls are dirty and creamy and on them are hung the donations given by the rich
and also Shakespeare’s portrait. Describes the condition of the infrastructure of the school.
 A civilized dome found in the cities and Tyrolese valleys with beautiful flowers are also
put up.