Question

What is the theme of the poem An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum? How has it been presented?

Answer 1

Hint: The poem was created by Stephen Spender, an acclaimed poet who used his works to precisely express his political, economic, and social beliefs. The communal strife and inequality in society are reflected in this poetry. It reflected in the slums' darkest regions, where children had to attend a school in a cramped room.

Complete answer:
The poem 'An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum' was written by Stephen Spender and published in 1964. The poem's lines show how a slum school's condition is worsening. His opinions on social conventions, politics, and children from the slums are reflected in the poem's verses. He saw the agony in the eyes of the students who came to the institution to study.

According to the Elementary School Classroom in a Slum Summary, the poet observed children coming from various slum families to study. They had sparkling eyes, but starvation and poverty had dulled them. They have the ability to dream, but lack the means to make those dreams a reality. He noticed one child, seated in the far corner, with brilliant, gorgeous eyes.In those eyes, he saw dreams and sparkles, but they were obscured by absolute sorrow.

The walls were made of mud and the classroom was filthy. People donated charts to be used as study aids. Shakespeare's bald head was depicted on a billboard. The wall was hung with lovely landscapes of the Tyrolese Valley. A globe map was also shown on the wall. They don't live in the same world.

The poet lamented the fact that these youngsters will be trapped in the slums forever, unable to see the light of hope. Their prospects are bleak, and they have little choice but to continue in their parents' footsteps. He was dissatisfied with the social structure. Nobody gives a damn about these kids.

According to An Elementary Classroom in a Slum, the poet recognised that the children had no idea who Shakespeare was or where that valley was located. They were not cared for or cherished. They are pushed to work at an early age. The majority of them mix with the wrong crowds. They commit crimes in order to gain attention and love

Note: The poet wants the students to succeed in life by making their goals come true, according to The Elementary School Classroom in a Slum Summary. He wished for those brilliant eyes to have the ability to dream. This poem emphasises the significance of education in everyone's life.