Teacher's Code of Behaviour

Every teacher might want to become the ideal one as well as to make his/her own pupils the best among others. So, both of them should meet some conditions. One of the most difficult things is association with teenagers. Of course, the teacher sets the rules and pupils should follow them.

Nevertheless, many schoolchildren do not want to do so and misunderstanding takes place. For instance, my classmates and I had been studying together from the beginning till the age of fourteen, which is the 8^th class. We were friendly enough because it was our first teacher, who contributed to it in the primary school. Then the other teacher came. She had nothing to do. Even so, we got on well because we were accustomed to it. After the 7^th class we were divided into classes with technical, humanitarian or chemistry and biology biases, etc. In my humanitarian class the form-master remained the same. We were not a solid class any more. There were also clashes with some other teachers, yet our form-master did more harm than good in those situations. When we were delivering our school-leaving certificates, every form-master had a little cry, except our teacher, of course. Despite seven-year association with the class, she said: “I can’t understand why my colleagues feel so upset. It’s just a job”.

In my opinion, it is inexcusable for schoolchildren to be callous when a teacher is devoted to the profession and open for the class. However, it does not mean that a teacher is always to blame. I think there are some cases which may be ‘incurable’. Nevertheless, teachers should never give up trying.

All children and especially teenagers should be brought up to patience and tolerance. There are also such important things as honesty, persistence and confidence. To my mind, the most important trait for every person is capacity to see interesting things and phenomena and, moreover, to impart it to others. It would not be out of place for teachers and their pupils to cultivate such trait. Perhaps, schooling would be more interesting for both parts.

Questions for 'A Haunting House'

1)      What did the ghosts search for?

The house which is described in this story is not usual. It is associated with the main characters’ lives. The times have changed; He and She have turned into mysterious ghosts. What did they want exactly? As far as we can understand, the ghosts searched for feelings. Who knows whether a ghost can feel something or not? However, the fact is that they looked for their past feelings and past memories and they managed to do it. The house is safe and the feelings are safe. ‘The light in the heart’ is shining again. What can be better?

2)      Do you believe in supernatural forces?

The question of existence of supernatural forces is acute enough. Sensitive people argue with venerable scientists, sceptics argue with romantics. Anyway, every man to his own taste, as they say. In my opinion, it is possible to face with supernatural forces.  Some strange events can be regarded as tricks of brownie or the evil eye put by a modern witch. However, we should not forget common sense and make up ‘supernatural’  causes always and everywhere.

Questions for 'The Gifts of the Magi'

1)   Do you believe in Christmas magic?

This is an ambiguous question.  In the era of the scientific progress there is almost no room for something unusual and inexplicable. Nevertheless, human nature is always in need of miracles. If there is no miracle at all in our life, we ourselves should make it. If so, we are certain to live easier and joyous. That’s why I do not mind believing in fairy tales from time to time.

2)  What can we sacrifice for people you love?

This question cannot be answered immediately. If we like it or not, no one can know what he can sacrifice till the case of emergency comes. Everything else is only words and I do not like theatrical bravados. However, we should help others to do small things every day, shouldn’t we? As the saying goes, people who can do small things may be capable of doing something great and serious.

The Book that Has Taught Me a Lot

Why do people read books? Someone wants to know something new, others like exciting stories or just try to kill their time, etc. It is great when a book can serve all your needs. However, sometimes we come across something passing, so called light reading, which gives no serious food for reflection. Such literature suggests we should send our heads away. Nevertheless, there are almost eternal books concerned with moral values. Russian writers are the ones who have made an important contribution to the world literature. Suffice it to mention “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy, “Crime and Punishment” and “Idiot” by Fyodor Dostoevsky, “Doctor Zhivago” by Boris Pasternak, numerous works of Anton Chekhov and so forth.

In my opinion, it is impossible not to say anything about Mikhail Bulgakov. Each of us is certain to have read “The White Guard”, “Heart of a Dog”, “A Theatrical Novel” or “The Fatal Eggs”. “The Master and Margarita” is said to be the main Bulgakov’s novel though. Of course, it happened to me to hear this book produce a negative impression or no impression at all. In spite of this fact, I think it is a serious and very useful book. Laugh and grief, joy and mental anguish can be found there. Sometimes it is difficult to define if it is real or fantastic.

The age-old problem of good and evil is raised here. Being one of the main characters, Voland seems to be the incarnation of evil, the devil in the flesh, Satan in person. Eugeny Sidorov writes in the introductory article that ‘even if such Voland didn’t exist, he should be made up’. Moreover, actually he didn’t turn out to be a negative character. It may sound strange but he teaches us to live morally when showing and punishing, for instance, Berlioz or even Pontius Pilate. The author in the person of Voland catches out in a lie and unmasks those whose conscience is not clear.

Of course, the interpretation of the book is many-sided, yet, in my opinion, one of its most important lessons is not to strike a bargain with your conscience. If so, you run risks to become some kind of shadow of your former self. Unfortunately, often it is necessary to have someone who can dun us for it. But is there anyone who can do it except for us?