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The short story "The School" by Donald Barthelme, while initially appearing to convey a pessimistic tone through subtle wording and references to death, ultimately reveals a profound optimism. The narrative employs a conversational tone and lacks a traditional introduction, yet it skillfully disperses its main ideas throughout. With its unique contemporary structure, the story goes beyond the apparent theme of death, offering a nuanced exploration of the simultaneous creation and destruction of life.
In the opening paragraphs, the story introduces a school that deviates from societal norms, challenging traditional notions of education.
The curriculum involves unconventional activities such as "planting trees" and maintaining "herb gardens" (535). Each child is assigned a personal tree and herb garden, fostering a sense of individual responsibility. The inclusion of various pets, from "snakes" and "tropical fish" to "gerbils" and a "salamander" (535-536), further distinguishes this school from conventional ones. The allowance of a "puppy" against school policy underscores the instructors' non-traditional approach.
While this unique educational approach leads to the demise of plants and animals due to neglect or overfeeding, it serves a didactic purpose.
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The students grapple with the concepts of life and death, gaining a profound understanding of the fragility and transience of existence. The request for a live demonstration of intercourse, unthinkable in traditional schools, highlights the instructors' unconventional nature, emphasizing the theme of procreation and the creation of life.
The narrative incorporates repeated references to death in its initial paragraphs, utilizing words such as "died," "kicked off," and "belly-up" (535-536).
Initially, the narrator seems indifferent to these deaths. However, as the story unfolds, the tone shifts, revealing a more empathetic perspective. The narrator's respectful recounting of the "Korean orphan's" death and the parents' "passing away" (536) indicates a genuine impact on the narrator, contrasting with the initial impression of apathy.
As the narrative progresses, the use of death-related terms diminishes. Descriptions of the tragic events surrounding the two boys take on a more solemn tone, culminating with the poignant statement, "It's been a strange year" (536). The insertion of a seemingly humorous remark about a man getting "knifed" creates a contrasting effect, underlining the complex interplay between tragedy and comedy within the narrative.
The conclusion of the story reinforces the unconventional nature of the school and the overarching theme of life. During a class discussion, the narrator imparts a profound insight: "death [is not] that which gives meaning to life," but rather, "life is that which gives meaning to life" (537). Every life, the narrator contends, possesses inherent value. Following the unconventional display of affection between Edgar and Helen, the entrance of a "new gerbil" sparks joy among the children, who believe it resulted from their teachers' union.
Throughout the text, the narrator employs unconventional teaching methods to impart lessons about life and death to the students. The living beings provided to the children serve as tangible learning tools, demonstrating the cycle of life. The display of affection between Edgar and Helen serves as a visual representation of life's creation. Barthelme's emphasis on death-related words underscores the interconnectedness of life and death, highlighting that to die, one must first live.
In conclusion, "The School" by Donald Barthelme transcends its initial appearance of pessimism, offering a rich exploration of life and death through an unconventional educational lens. The narrative structure, unique teaching methods, and the interplay of death and life contribute to a nuanced and thought-provoking story that challenges conventional notions of existence.
An Unconventional School: Life and Death in Barthelme's "The School". (2016, Jul 20). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/the-school-by-donald-barthelme-essay
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