Poems are considered the windows that let us look into the mind of the poets. The poems included in the syllabus of the CBSE English are chosen to deliver such bliss to students. One such poem is in the Class 12 syllabus named ‘An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum’. This poem is written by Stephen Spender, one of the eminent poets who perfectly described their political, economical and social views through his creations. This poem reflects the communal disharmony and inequalities in society. It reflected in the deepest corners of the slums where the kids had to go to a school in a rugged room.

The poet Stephen Spender has written the poem ‘An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum’ and published it in 1964. The lines of the poem describe how deteriorating the condition of a slum school is. His views related to social norms, politics and children of the slums resonate pretty well in the lines of the poem. He witnessed the pain in the eyes of the children visiting the school to study.

As per the Elementary School Classroom in a Slum Summary, the poet saw the kid coming from different families living in the slum to study. They had bright eyes but were marred by malnutrition and poverty. They have the eyes to dream but not the platform to make them come true. He saw one kid, sitting in the corner at the end, with bright beautiful eyes. He saw dreams and sparks in those eyes but covered with utter despair.

The classroom was very dirty and the walls were made of mud. People donated charts for studying. There was a poster of Shakespeare and his bald head. There was beautiful scenery of Tyrolese Valley hanging from the wall. There was also a world map hanging from the wall. It is not the same world they live in.

The poet expressed his pain that these children will always be stuck in the slums and will not be able to see the light of hope. Their future is dim and they have no options but to follow the footsteps of their parents. He was disappointed with the social system. Nobody cares about these children. An Elementary Classroom in a Slum Summary tells us that the poet understood that the kids do not even know who Shakespeare is or where that valley is located. They were not loved or cared for. At a very young age, they are forced to work. Most of them end up mingling with the wrong groups. They commit crimes in search of love and attention.

In this Summary of Elementary School Classroom in a Slum, we see that the kids are very thin. They are malnourished and their bodies are weak. The bones can be seen prominently protruding. The glasses they use to drink water are cheap and very heavy. He feels very sad as there is very less probability that these kids will someday overcome poverty and lead a good life.

In the Summary of the poem An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum, he focuses on the government and societal norms that create slums. There are no steps taken by the government to remove the slums and give these people a better life. The government is not willing to bring any change which restricts these innocent lives inside the boundaries of these dark alleys. The poet wants the kids to witness the beauty outside in the real world. He wants them to feel the green nature and play in the fields.

Conclusion:

According to The Elementary School Classroom in a Slum Summary, the poet wants the children to become successful in their lives by making their dreams come true. He wanted those bright eyes to become capable enough to dream. This poem teaches us the value and importance of education in everyone’s life.