Explore the ways in which the writers of 'The Winter Oak' and 'The Pieces of Silver' portray different attitudes to education'. There are difference and similarities between the attitudes towards education shown
‘Explore the ways in which the writers of ‘The Winter Oak’ and ‘The Pieces of Silver’ portray different attitudes to education’.
There are difference and similarities between the attitudes towards education shown in ‘The Winter Oak’ and ‘The Pieces of Silver’. The main similarity is that the teaching staff in both stories do not have an inspirational approach to their work. In both stories a distinct lack of respect and understanding of the children is apparent, however in ‘The Pieces of Silver’ this is conveyed as a cruel objectification of the children rather than Anna Vasilvna’s (‘The Winter Oak’) ‘mere’ lack of appreciation for the ability of her students.
The first difference that becomes apparent when comparing the two stories is the attitudes shown by the children towards their teachers. In ‘The Winter Oak’ it is said that the students ‘stood up in a friendly way to greet [Anna Vasilevna]’, showing their respect for their teacher. Also, towards the end of the story it is said that Savushkin ‘was guarding his teacher from afar’ as she returned home, revealing his care for her. It is therefore not unreasonable to assume that in order to gain such esteem from her pupils, Anna Vasilevna treats them well, and is not condescending and cold like the teaching staff in ‘The Pieces of Silver’. In ‘The Pieces of Silver’ the children appear to be more afraid of the staff – ‘some glanced apprehensively at their dusty, naked feet’. It is said that the teachers ‘sauntered’ towards the pupils, which gives an impression of arrogance and derision. In ‘The Winter Oak’ silence takes a while to settle amongst the class, whereas in ‘The Pieces of Silver’ the silence is immediate - another indication that the children fear their teachers. In ‘The Winter Oak’ the children show a greater passion for learning. It is said that they ‘bubbled happily’ during their lesson. In ‘The Pieces of Silver’ the attitude of the children to their lessons is not provided obviously, however one could argue that the fact that one student is forced to recite Shakespeare in front of the school, and does so in a ‘choked, monotonous tone’ suggests that such an enthusiasm for learning is not present amongst the students.
