Question

The relationship between the teacher and the students is highlighted in the extract. Illustrate with suitable examples from the extract.

Answer 1

Braithwaite, who is the teacher of the senior class, is pleased to note the progress his students have made. When the students had first met him, they exhibited poor behaviour and showed little interest in their coursework. However, with innovative teaching methods and an abundance of patience, Braithwaite manages to develop a strong student-teacher relationship based on mutual respect. Eventually, he helps the students develop a sincere interest in their courses. His hard work is tested at the half-yearly report of the Students’ Council as the students are expected to present what they have learned, to the entire school. As the day of the half-yearly report approaches, Braithwaite is “as excited as the children” and observes, from a distance, how they prepare for the day. He is impressed by their ability to take responsibility and this can be inferred from the line, “I observed the activities of my class as they prepared for it, nothing with pride the business-like way in which tasks were allocated and fitted into a neat programme.” From the above line, it is also clear that seeing this transformation of his students, from mischievous children to young adults, is a particularly proud moment for Braithwaite and is proof of his hard work. On the day of the event, Braithwaite is obviously nervous about the performance of his students. Not only is he worried about the way they handle themselves, but he is also hoping that his efforts have paid off and the students have actually learnt something in the past half-year. His nervousness is revealed in the line, “When the turn of my class came, I sat up anxiously.” Like the director of a play, watching the drama unfold, Braithwaite observes his students from the audience. One by one his students take the stage and speak knowledgeably about their courses. Miss Joseph and Denham impress Braithwaite with their leadership skills. The line “I felt terribly pleased and proud to see the confident courtesy with which Denham used the term ‘Miss’ in addressing each of the senior girls; I felt sure that this would in itself be something for the younger ones to aim at, a sort of badge of young adulthood” shows how Braithwaite beamed with pride upon seeing that his lesson of mutual respect had taken effect and held the ability to inspire the younger students. Potter, Sapiano, Jackson, Miss Dodd and Miss Dare offer intelligent insights into their respective subjects. Braithwaite’s appreciation for Feynman's “dramatic” presentation is made clear as he notes “Fernman was wonderful; he had them eating out of his hand.” Lastly, Denham’s criticism of P.T. class was a sign of intelligent questioning, which is the mark of every responsible student. Denham’s consequent argument with Miss Phillips, though blunt, was ultimately respectful as he gives up on the matter when defeated by Miss Phillips. This, too, is a proud moment for Braithwaite as Denham’s transformation from an aggressive, rude boy to an intelligent, questioning, young mind is an important achievement. The extract draws attention to the emotions experienced by Braithwaite as watches with pride the progress his students have made in the half-year, thus highlighting the relationship between the teacher and the students.