payment page
Study Tools
Overview
First published in The New Yorker magazine in 1974, Donald Barthelme’s “The School” seamlessly weaves touches of humor into profound reflections on life and death
. Written from the perspective of a beleaguered teacher, the postmodern tale describes a series of unfortunate deaths that plague an elementary school classroom. The story is very short, just over 1200 words, yet its brevity belies the significance of its ideas. Despite forgoing traditional expectations for fictional narratives, “The School” is one of Barthelme’s most accessible works, expressing timeless themes related to the absurdity of life and the inevitability of death.Read a full story summary, a full story analysis, and explanations of important quotes from “The School.”
