The Village School Master
The Village Schoolmaster
Oliver Goldsmith
a) How did the children view the schoolmaster?
A.The children
viewed the school master as severe and stern. They all knew him very well and would
gauge his mood by merely looking at his expressions at the start of the day. They would
laugh at his jokes to keep him cheerful. The children however respected him, because he was kind and was dedicated to teaching them.
b)Why did the villagers regard the schoolmaster in wonder?
A.The villagers
were awed by the knowledge of the school master. They wondered how he could read,
write, calculate, measure tides and at the same time be so skilled in arguing.
They would wonder how his small head could hold so much of knowledge.
c)
A.The poet regards
the school master with love and affection. The poet speaks about the various
qualities that the school master had despite his stern and severe behaviour. He
remembers his kindness and love for education and learning. He remembers how the
villagers had high regard for him. He fondly remembers him in the end for all the
good he did by teaching at school.
3. Read the
following lines and answer the questions
‘But past is all his fame. The very spot
Where many a time he triumph’d is forgot.’
i. Who is Oliver Goldsmith referring to in these lines?
A.Oliver Goldsmith
is referring to the village schoolmaster in these lines.
ii)What does the poet mean by these lines?
A.In these lines
the poet fondly remembers the glories of the village school master and
tells that the
school master does not teach any more but all that is left in that spot is
the past fame of
the man.
