The Tutor's Lament by Norman Gale
The poem presents the frustrations and disillusionments of a tutor tasked with educating a reluctant student. The narrator expresses disdain for the subjects he must teach, particularly Latin and mathematics, which he finds tedious and unengaging. He feels trapped in his role, serving as a mental provider for a student who is not eager to learn. As the tutor reflects on his surroundings, he yearns for the freedom of the outdoors and the joys of youth, reminiscing about idyllic scenes from his past, such as his mother and her ponies, and the beauty of nature. These memories contrast sharply with his current situation, highlighting his desire to escape the confines of his teaching duties. The imagery evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing for simpler times, where he could enjoy leisure activities like cricket instead of being burdened by academic responsibilities. The tutor's internal conflict is palpable; he grapples with the value of his work against the allure of a carefree life. Ultimately, the poem captures the tension between duty and desire, illustrating the tutor's lament over his role and the challenges of engaging a disinterested student while yearning for the pleasures of life outside the classroom.
By Norman Gale · First published 1895 · Genre: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Humor · 455 words
First lines
I refuse to find attractions In the ancient Roman native; I am sick to death of fractions, And of verbs that take the dative: It is mine to be recorder Of a boy's congested brain, Sir, With the pitch in perfect order And the weather like champagne, Sir!
I -- the sport of conjugations -- I am cooped up as a lodger Where I serve out mental rations To a proudly backward dodger. While the two of us are dreaming Of the canvas and the creases, Close we sit together, scheming How to pull an ode to pieces.
What this Textopian page supports
The Tutor's Lament is listed on Textopian as a short story by Norman Gale, dated 1895 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Norman Gale
- Date: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Humor, Coming-of-Age, Satire
- Length: 455 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Tutor's Lament by Norman Gale
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Similar titles
- A Long Grace by Norman Gale
- Portrait Of A Young Man With A Bad Heart by William Carlos Williams
- My Literary Friend by Henry Lawson
- A Long Story by Thomas Gray
- Tilly by James Joyce
- Hadrian The Seventh by Frederick Rolfe
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Literary Fiction — The themes explore personal reflection, education, and nostalgia, typical of literary fiction.
- Humor — The poem contains elements of wit and irony, particularly in the tutor's lament about his situation.
- Coming-of-Age — The narrative reflects on youth and the transition from childhood to adulthood through the lens of education.
Tags
Literary Fiction · Coming-of-Age · Education · Social Class · Identity Crisis · Mentorship · Self-Discovery · Nostalgia · Regret · Loss of Innocence · Growing Up · Class Struggle