Essay Questions

What is the central irony in the novel The Teacher's Funeral by Richard Peck?

The central irony in the novel is that the local school continues to operate after its only teacher Mrs. Myrt dies. When Russell learns the news about Mrs. Myrt's death, he gets excited because he knows the board will shut down the school, and that will fuel his ambitious plan of dropping out of school to travel to Dakotas. Ironically, the board appoints Tansy to become the new schoolteacher. Therefore, Russell's expectations are crushed when he learns that the school will resume, and he will have no option but finish his studies.

Why is Tansy grabbing the pointer from Mrs. Myrt’s hand before she is buried?

Mrs. Myrt's pointer is valuable to Tansy because it symbolizes her power as a teacher. Tansy believes the pointer will help her assert authority in her teaching profession. Therefore, Tansy finds it unreasonable to bury Mrs. Myrt with her pointer, which she used throughout her teaching profession. However, Tansy does not plan to use the pointer in disciplining children but wants to have it as a symbol of control in her teaching profession.

Why is Preacher Parr insisting the return of corporal punishment to schools?

Mr. Parr observes that the children of the current generation are becoming untamable. The level of indiscipline in schools has skyrocketed. Children know that even if they misbehave, they will not be subjected to any corporal punishment. The lack of proper punishment in schools makes students like Russell think they can drop out of school if they wish.