INDIAN SCHOOL AL MAABELA

(ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED INSTITUTION)

MIDDLE SECTION 2022-2023
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
NOTES

ISAM/FR/MDL/NS/04

Class:VIII Notes of Topic/Lesson: The Village School Master Year:2022-2023

I. Reference to context:
A. There, in his noisy mansion, skill’d to rule,
The village master taught his little school.

1. Where is the school situated?

Ans: The school is situated in a village.

2. Why is the mansion noisy?

Ans: The mansion is described as ‘noisy’ because many students studied there.

3. What is meant by skill’d to rule?

Ans: The phrase ‘skill’d to rule’ means that the schoolmaster was capable of teaching the students in every
way possible. He had a stern and strict manner that helped him rule over all his students who were therefore,
afraid of him.

B. And still they gaz’d and still the wonder grew,

That one small head could carry all he knew.

1. Who gazed and at whom?

Ans: The common people of the village gazed at the schoolmaster.

2. Who were they gazing at?

Ans: They were gazing at the schoolmaster’s revered face.

3. What do these lines reflect about the people who gazed?

Ans: These lines highlight the simple nature of the people who inhabited the village. These lines also show
how little they were educated. The schoolmaster’s personality, his skills and his way of managing his school
held the simple villagers in tremendous awe.
II. Answer the following:
Q1. Why did the villagers respect the schoolmaster?

Ans: The villagers respected the schoolmaster because he knew almost everything. He could read and write,

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solve sums, forecast the weather, survey the land, and was skilled in debate. The villagers were in awe of his
knowledge.
Q2. List the things that the poet tells us the schoolmaster could do?
Ans: The schoolmaster knew how to write and use words well. He could measure lands and predict tides. It
was also rumored that he knew how to estimate these without actually measuring them. He was also very
good in arguments and never really had to accept defeat even once.

Q2. What is meant by “morning face”? What did the tremblers learn from watching his face?
Ans: The phrase “morning face” means the face that the schoolmaster had during the morning. By watching
the schoolmaster’s face the students could understand whether their famed teacher was in a good mood or not,
and therefore, how well or how ill their day would go.
Q3. Pick out two adjectives used to describe the schoolmaster from the first stanza. Justify the use of
these words with instances from the rest of the poem.

Ans: The two words in the first stanza that describe the schoolmaster are ‘skill’d’ and ‘stern’. The fact that he
was skilled can be understood from the fact that he could measure land and predict tides and terms – it was
also said that he knew how to gauge. The fact that he was a stern teacher can be understood from how all his
students were afraid of him and how he never accepted his defeat in any argument.

Q4. Oliver Goldsmith uses a range of details to breathe life into the village schoolmaster. How far do
you agree with this statement? Illustrate your answer with examples from the poem.

Ans: In the very first stanza, the poet builds up an image of the schoolmaster complete with the description of
his stern and severe nature as well as the reaction of the students to his personality and temperament. It is
especially the students’ reaction that makes things more vivid. The poet also describes the schoolmaster’s
approach to learning and his immense skill in several matters. He is also described as a good debater who
never accepted defeat in an argument. The love and respect that villagers gave the schoolmaster could make
one believe in his capabilities.
Extended Writing
1.Give the character sketch of the village schoolmaster.
2.Would you say that the village schoolmaster is an ideal teacher? Give reasons to support your answer.

Notes to be written in the notebook during class hours:

1) First reference to context
2) First answer the following
3) Extended writing
Read the text book content, glossary & notes given for assessment.

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