Let us consider the themes in the three poems to illustrate the presentation of teachers. In the three poems the story line differs.

The “French Master,” by Dannie Abse is a poem in which the writer demons

The structures and rhythms of each poem are completely different and help to present the teachers in different ways. The rhythm in “The French Master,” is like a nursery rhyme which emphasises the writer Dannie Abse’s disrespect for teachers and that that is their level of intelligence. “The French Master,” has a clear structure built of 9 quatrains and this regularity adds to the boring, strict, attitude of the teacher. “Head of English,” on the other hand has an irregular rhythm and has no definite structure. I feel Duffy uses enjambment, for example “Now sit up straight and listen,” to great effect as it allows the reader to find out that Duffy feels teachers are scatty and dramatic.,. She knows her job. As with “The French master,” “Teacher,” has a clear structure and she interwines quatrains and tercets and this rhythm adds to the pessimism of the poem. Unlike “Head of English,” Mary O’Donnell uses enjambment to portray the teacher as weary and unenthusiastic, for example “I shall become again The half-remembered voice.” This emphasises the lack of confidence and pessimism of the teacher.

Having explored all three poems it is obvious that all three poets use different techniques to portray teachers in the twentieth century. Particularly notable is the rhythm and lack of structure in “Head of English,” which portrays teachers as disorganised and enthusiastic. The use of language particularly adjectives in “The French Master,” help intensify the picture of teachers as pathetic unpleasant and obsessive. Likewise in “Teacher,” the use of language portrays teachers as people who are dreary, lack confidence and have an unenthusiastic attitude to life.

Some topics in this essay:
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