Critical Essay on "The Good Teachers" and "In Mrs Tilscher's Class"

Critical essay question:

Choose two poems by the same poet.

Compare and contrast each poem in terms of theme and style. Your essay should make it clear which poem you prefer (give reasons for your choice).

Introduction

Introduce both poems. Full title and Duffy’s full name. Write a sentence for each poem which tells the story (ie. “In Mrs Tilscher’s Class” is about …). The final sentence in your introduction should indicate what you will be doing in your essay.

Compare and contrast themes.

Compare the themes: how are the poems similar in terms of theme?

Contrast the themes: how are the poems different in terms of theme? Mention (as you go) which you prefer.

Compare and contrast style.

Compare style: how are the poem similar in terms of style?

Contrast style: how are the poems different in terms of style?

Conclusion.

Again summarise in a sentence what is similar in themes and styles and what is different. Make it very clear which you prefer and why.