Explore the memories of childhood presented in "In Mrs Tilscher's class" by Carol Ann Duffy and "Childhood" by John Clare

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Gabbi Whiles

Explore the memories of childhood presented in “In Mrs Tilscher’s class” by Carol Ann Duffy and “Childhood” by John Clare

The memories of childhood presented in the two poems “In Mrs Tilscher’s class” by Carol Ann Duffy and “Childhood” by John Clare are explored in many different ways.

One of the ways Duffy explores the memories of childhood is by remembering the happiness of being a child and creating a happy tone.

“Sugar paper. Coloured shapes. Brady and Hindley faded, like the faint, uneasy smudge of a mistake.”

This quotation shows that Duffy explores her memories of childhood to be happy by describing a horrendous crime to have disappeared in Mrs Tilscher’s classroom. “Uneasy smudge of a mistake” suggests the horrific incidents to have been rubbed away because it is so happy and peaceful when you are in Mrs Tilscher’s class room. Brady and Hindley’s horrifying antics also suggest the dangers of the adult world. It also gives the impression that the classroom is like a different world, a fantasy world where only happiness exists. The way Duffy mentions the sugar paper and the coloured shapes also give a sense of happiness because it makes the reader think of bright colours and activities which are associated with the pleasure of being a child.

Likewise, in “Childhood” Clare also describes the contentment of childhood.

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“On the heaths, in the meadows beside the deep lake, and return’d with torn clothes all covered wi’ burrs.”

This quotation shows how happy childhood was for Clare. The idea of nature presented in this quotation gives the impression of blissful children exploring the outside world. It gives this impression by mention “the meadow by the deep lake,” these words are in connotation to nature and outdoor life. A sense of freedom is also created as Clare uses a care free tone to describe where the children would play. “and return’d with torn clothes all covered wi’ burrs,” ...

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