The village school master Essay

The Village Schoolmaster 

                                        - Oliver Goldsmith

               

         The portrait of the village school master is taken from Goldsmith’s poem The Deserted Village. Goldsmith portrays the characteristics of the village school master of Auburn.

            The village school master was one of the important persons in Auburn. He ran a school in his own house. It was near the fence of furze. He was a very strict man and knew how to control his pupils. Every truant knew his temper. His pupils read his frame of mind. Although, he was stern, he was kind and jovial. When he told jokes, his pupils pretend to enjoy them. When he frowned the news spread throughout the school. All children became quiet to avoid his anger. Thus, they adjusted to his temperament. Generally he was kind. Even if he was harsh, it was due to his love for learning.

             The whole village spoke of the schoolmaster’s knowledge. He could write and calculate. He was good at measurements. He could predict the seasons.  The villagers wondered at the schoolmaster’s skill in arguing. He would argue even after his point is disproved. Even the village preacher acknowledged him as a stubborn arguer. The rural people simply gazed at his high sounding swords. They wondered how his small head could contain so much knowledge.

             Thus, Goldsmith gives a fine pon portrait of the village school master. It is humorous and interesting.