Eudora Welty is an American author born in Mississippi in 1909, considered a keen observer of manners of the South. According to one biographer, Welty's works' typically provide a "treatment of universal themes" (Eudora 1). In her short story "Clamorous to Learn," Welty treats the universal them of the terror of most school students confronted with stern teachers who brook no "frills" of any kind in the learning environment (Welty 434). This analysis will show how Welty uses characterizes to help readers experience the fear school children often feel. A conclusion will address how Welty's story applies to today's readers.
Welty's narrator informs us she has always been "clamorous to learn" from the first (432). Despite her excitement to learn and her inquisitive nature, Welty admits she experienced a certain measure of fear and dread over having to face the daily demands and person of one Miss Duling. Welty characterizes Miss Duling's prim and rigid nature that tolerated no "frills" in a number of ways. She tells us she dresses "as plainly as a Pilgrim," her black hair is "drawn back" and "knotted behind," and her gaze is "in general sweeping, then suddenly at the point of concentration upon you" (Welty 434). A plain, sober and demanding educator; the narrator does nothing but fear this authoritarian.
By drawing characters like Miss Duling, that frighten even those "clamorous" to learn," Welty makes us feel even more keenly the fear students who were poor learners must have experienced in the face of such teachers. Other teachers like Miss Eyrich are also drawn by Welty in ways that are meant to reinforce their harsh and frightening manner. Miss Eyrich "wasted no time with nonsense" (Welty 435). Welty does a great job characterizing Mrs. McWillie as a frightening ogre when she and a friend overhear her questioning and the narrator explains, "'Who-said-MIGHT-COU
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