Analysis of the text “Anne Meets Her Class” by Miss Read

Miss Read was an English novelist, by profession a schoolmistress. Her

pseudonym was derived from her mother's maiden name, her real name is Dora
Jessie Saint. She is best known for two series of novels set in the British
countryside – the Fairacre novels and the Thrush Green novels. She studied at
Bromley country school. When her father became a schoolmaster, Dora followed
his example and undertook teacher training. From 1933 to 1940 she taught
in Middlesex. After World War II she worked occаsionаlly аs а teаcher, аnd begаn
writing аbout schools аnd country topics for severаl mаgаzines.
The story is about the first meeting between a teacher – Anne Lacey and her сlass.
The acquaintance was made by a sсhool headmistress – Miss Enderby who was
very respeсted by the pupils. Miss Enderby asked the class to be very polite,
disciplined and to help their new teacher.
From the very beginning the young Miss Lacey acted very shy and insecure.
When she was left alone with her class a chaos started: the children ran across the
room, they attacked each other and Arnold (one of the children) took off his
pullover. Anne didn’t want to shut them down because she remembered the advice
''Stand quite still, be quite calm''. Anne waited but she lost her temper and roared a
couple of times to the kids. With a pleasurable shock she saw her words obeyed
and the order had returned.

The title of the text is “Anne meets her class” it serves as means of focusing the
reader’s attention on the most relevant event of the text. Also the title “Fresh from
the Country” prepares us for somebody unexperienced. The titles are perfectly
suited.
As we can understand from the gist, the main idea of the text is the problems of
bringing up children, children’s manners and as for the author’s message I can say
that following rules is not always the best way out, sometimes breaking rules can
lead to better results.
The story is told in the third person by the author, he knows about facts and
characters but takes no part in action of the story.
The genre of the story is both social and psychological. We can understand it due
to conflicts: pupils’ bad behavior and Anne’s awareness what is it – being a teacher
(a study of human character).
The story forms in several parts:
1. Introduction – The headmistress introduces Anne to class
2. Inciting incident – The headmistress leaves the class
3. Rising action – The chaos (children’s chattering, noise etc.)
4. Climax – Anne starts acting (The teacher shouts children down)
5. Denouement – The order returns (Anne’s self-esteem crept back)
Parts follow each other consistently in time. They don’t overlap in the time.
The author begins the story by the action itself. (“The children fixed their eyes upon
Anne…”)
The author uses expressive language. She also uses stylistic devices:

Metaphor - a comparison in which one element is described in terms of another

to create a connection, a word or a phrase generally denoting one kind of object or
idea is applied to another object or idea with the purpose of suggesting likeness
between them. (Sailed majestically; she roared)

Epithet - an adjective or phrase expressing a quality or attribute regarded as

characteristic of the person or thing mentioned. (apple-cheeked, watery smile,
sailed majestically, dreadful habits, crest-fallen, swift look etc.)

Metonymy – a type of figurative language in which an object or concept is

referred to not by its own name, but instead by the name of something closely
associated with it. (forty-six tongues)

Gradation – is a stylistic device which means a series of similar words of

expressions that gradually emphasis and increase the emotional significance (the
climax), it is the arrangement of idea in such a way that each succeeded one rises
above its predecessor in impressiveness or force.

Oxymoron - a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear

in conjunction. (pleasurable shock)
The author uses mixed way in characterization - direct and indirect.
Miss Lacey is the protagonist of the story. The author characterized her only
indirect. (“feeling helpless”, “abandon hope”, “nervous start” etc.) She is
revealed through her actions, speech, emotions.
Miss Enderby is the antagonist of the story. She is characterized indirectly too.
(“began firmly”, “in an imperative tone”, “sailed majestically”, “came a faint sigh
of relief as the door closed behind her”)
Arnold is described indirectly and directly. (“innocent and apple-cheeked”, “crest-
fallen”, “pink face express his scorn of Miss Enderby”)
I liked the story because of its realistic plot, emotional rising action and the
message that the author tells us – everyone and every situation needs a
special treatment, so sometimes you have to break the rules.