Summary of The Village Schoolmaster by Oliver Goldsmith

                                                            The Village Schoolmaster

Oliver Goldsmith

The poem "The Village Schoolmaster" by Oliver Goldsmith is an extract from his famous poem The Deserted Village. The word "village" in the title clearly suggests that the poem is set in a rural area, probably where the speaker lived. The poem portrays a realistic picture and the speaker's sentiments about a teacher. The Schoolmaster presented in the poem might be the poet’s teacher Thomas Byrne. The poem is about the characteristics of the Schoolmaster who is respected by all the villagers due to his knowledge and interest in reading. It also talks about how things could change in the course of time, a kind of looking back at past.

The village school master runs his little school in a small village. The poem starts with a description of the location of the school. The school is situated next to an irregular fence which is dilapidated and also leaning over. The road leading towards the school is lined with flowers, which are not being admired or appreciated by the people. The school is mentioned as a ‘noisy mansion’ following the rules of the school master. The village teacher is equipped to manage a class and teaches his lessons there. He is a very strict disciplinarian and also a stern person to observe. The speaker says that he and all other truants know him well because they have undergone the master’s rage. The students have learnt to sense the mood of the teacher by observing his face. The day’s trouble is noticed from his forehead.

The school master is a contradiction. Although he is strict, he is kind and good-humoured. He tells many jokes. Whenever he tells some jokes, the children laugh with pretended joy.  If they notice any sign of anger on his face they will spread the news throughout the classroom. But basically the schoolmaster is a kind man. If at all he has any fault, it is because of his intense love for learning.

The schoolmaster is admired and respected by the villagers. Everyone in the village praise him for his great knowledge. He can write, do mathematics, and predict weather patterns and tides. It is also assumed that he can do accurate survey and determine borders easily. He can also debate intelligently and have discussions with the village parson, a person who was greatly respected by his parishioners. The master uses difficult words and emotional language to convince and impress the poorly educated village people. The parson also accepts the master’s skill in debate. Sometimes even after being defeated in arguments, the schoolmaster continue to speak. The village people wonder how his small head could contain so much knowledge.

Though the poem presents the pleasant remembrances of the poet about the schoolmaster, the poem ends in a sad tone. The last two lines tell the present condition. The great fame of the schoolteacher has become a thing of past. At present the school where he faced many successes is forgotten.