Entre Les Murs Literary Elements

Semi-autobiographical novel

Inner City Paris, specifically in a class of problem students with language and cultural differences and tensions.

The point of view is that of the teacher, Francois Marin, who is based on the author himself.

Depressing and hopeless, but with little pockets of optimism and hope.

Marin is the protagonist and in many cases the antagonist is a strident and over-confident student called Esmeralda.

There is conflict between Carl and Souleymane regarding their support of different soccer teams.

The year ends with the students realizing that they have learned something.

The fact that Souleymane is defended and supported by his mother at his disciplinary hearing foreshadows his expulsion because she speaks no French and is therefore out of her depth and unable to defend him properly.

The children in the class are said to be difficult, which is an understatement, because they are a collection of kids with so many differences that they cannot see any similarities between each other, and also because there are significant language and cultural barriers to be overcome that seem to over-ride the educational requirements they need to fulfil.

The author alludes to several big rivalries between key Paris soccer teams, which can sometimes turn violent both in the book and in real life; in fact in real life may of the supporters of each team do not bother going into the grounds on game day but arrange to meet outside ahead of time with the express purpose of starting a brawl.

The imagery is mainly that of Paris and its inner city areas.

The harder that Marin tries to help Souleyman the less he seems to be able to help him.

There is a parallel between the different student who are not originally from France and have difficulty assimilating or getting any help at home with their French-language studies.

The class encompasses all of the students within it.

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