An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum – Class 12 English

Below is a comprehensive list of short answer questions, long answer questions, and value-based questions from the poem "An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum" by Stephen Spender. These questions are essential for exam preparation and cover various aspects such as theme, poetic devices, and critical analysis.

Short Answer Questions:

Q1. Who is the poet of the poem "An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum"?

✅ Answer: The poet of the poem is Stephen Spender.

Q2. What does the classroom in the slum symbolize?

✅ Answer: The classroom in the slum symbolizes poverty, neglect, and inequality faced by the underprivileged children in society.

Q3. Describe the condition of the children in the slum classroom.

✅ Answer: The children in the slum classroom are malnourished, sickly, and poorly dressed. They live in extreme poverty and lack basic resources.

Q4. What does the poet mean by "their world is not the world"?

✅ Answer: The poet means that the children in the slum live in a world of poverty and hopelessness, which is entirely different from the prosperous world of the privileged class.

Q5. What are the walls of the classroom decorated with?

✅ Answer: The walls of the classroom are decorated with pictures of Shakespeare, world maps, and beautiful landscapes, which are irrelevant to the children's harsh reality.

Q6. What does the map on the classroom wall symbolize?

✅ Answer: The map symbolizes a world of opportunities and prosperity, which the slum children are deprived of.

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Q7. What is the meaning of the phrase "gusty waves"?

✅ Answer: The phrase "gusty waves" refers to the energetic, lively, and enthusiastic children who are full of life. However, the children in the slum are the opposite — dull and lifeless.

Q8. Why does the poet mention Shakespeare in the poem?

✅ Answer: The poet mentions Shakespeare as a symbol of knowledge and prosperity, which the slum children cannot relate to because of their impoverished condition.

Long Answer Questions:

Q1. Discuss the theme of the poem "An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum."

✅ Answer:
The poem highlights the social injustice and inequality prevalent in society. It portrays the pathetic condition of children living in slums, who are deprived of education and basic necessities. The poet criticizes the education system, which is disconnected from the harsh realities of these children's lives. He advocates for social reform and inclusion of the marginalized in the mainstream society to ensure a better future for these children.

Q2. How does the poet use imagery in the poem to convey the plight of the slum children?

✅ Answer:
The poet uses vivid imagery to depict the poor condition of the children and their surroundings. For example:

"Far far from gusty waves" symbolizes their lack of energy and enthusiasm.
"Like rootless weeds" portrays their instability and vulnerability.
"The paper-seeming boy" and "eyes like rats" emphasize their malnourishment and hopelessness.
The poet also contrasts their world with the beautiful images on the classroom walls, highlighting the gap between their dreams and reality.

Q3. What is the significance of the concluding lines of the poem?

✅ Answer:
The concluding lines of the poem convey the poet's appeal to the authorities to bring a change in the lives of the slum children. He urges them to:

Break the barriers of inequality
Provide better education and opportunities
Make education relevant to their lives
The poet believes that only education can empower these children and bring them out of their miserable condition.

Value-Based Questions:

Q1. What message does the poem convey?

✅ Answer:
The poem conveys a strong message about social inequality and the need for reform in the education system. It highlights the plight of the marginalized children living in slums and calls for inclusivity and equal opportunities for all, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

Q2. How can we, as responsible citizens, help in improving the lives of children in slums?

✅ Answer:
As responsible citizens, we can:

Donate to charities and NGOs working for the education of underprivileged children.
Volunteer our time and resources to teach or mentor slum children.
Raise awareness about the importance of education and equal opportunities.
Advocate for government policies that promote the welfare of marginalized communities.

Poetic Devices Used in the Poem:

Poetic Device	Example from the Poem	Explanation
Simile	"Like rootless weeds"	Compares the children to weeds that are unstable and unwanted.
Metaphor	"Paper-seeming boy"	The boy is compared to a thin piece of paper, indicating malnourishment.
Alliteration	"Surely Shakespeare is wicked"	Repetition of the 's' sound for emphasis.
Imagery	"Their future is painted with fog"	Creates a visual image of an uncertain and bleak future.