“Miss Awful” by Arthur Cavanaugh revolves around a strict and formidable substitute teacher named Miss Orville, whom the students nickname “Miss Awful.” Miss Orville takes over the third-grade classroom at St. Geoffrey’s School while their regular teacher, Miss Wilson, is away. Unlike the fun-loving and whimsical Miss Wilson, Miss Orville enforces strict discipline and insists on perfect behavior and performance from her students. The story highlights the clash between traditional teaching methods and a more lenient approach and explores the idea of discipline and its impact on children’s learning and character development. 

“Miss Awful” is known for its thoughtful depiction of the complexities of teaching and the different teaching styles that can influence children’s lives. It remains a popular and widely studied short story in schools and educational settings.

Miss Awful | Summary

“Miss Awful” is a captivating short story that revolves around the experiences of a young boy named Roger Clark and his interactions with a stern substitute teacher named Miss Orville, whom he refers to as “Miss Awful.” The story commences as Roger Clark, a bright and enthusiastic student, excitedly shares his first encounter with the strict substitute teacher, Miss Orville, with his family. Roger’s mother, Virginia Clark, listens to her son’s tales of Miss Awful’s unwavering demands, rigid rules, and harsh demeanor, and she becomes increasingly concerned about the emotional and academic impact it may have on her son and his classmates.

Miss Orville takes over the class from their beloved teacher, Miss Wilson, who is away. Miss Awful’s methods are in stark contrast to Miss Wilson’s warm and nurturing approach, leading to discomfort and apprehension among the students. As the days progress, the class finds itself subjected to rigorous spelling tests, tedious assignments, and constant criticism for the slightest misbehavior. Roger and his classmates, feeling frustrated and oppressed under Miss Orville’s regime, contemplate ways to resist and retaliate against her strictness. They consider acts of defiance and rebellion, like disrupting the class or vandalizing Miss Orville’s cherished plant. However, their plans are met with hesitation as they fear the consequences.

One day, during an intense spelling test, Roger accidentally spills ink on his desk, prompting Miss Orville to berate him in front of the class. This incident further fuels the students’ animosity towards her. As days pass, they engage in secret meetings, discussing various strategies to undermine their formidable teacher, unaware that their initial perceptions of Miss Awful are about to be challenged. In a surprising turn of events, during an unexpected heart-to-heart conversation, Miss Orville reveals her reasons for being strict and demanding. She talks about her struggles and hardships, expressing how her own difficult experiences in life have shaped her approach to teaching. In a heartfelt moment, Miss Orville expresses her desire for the students to succeed and become responsible individuals. Her sincerity and vulnerability leave a profound impact on the class, as they begin to empathize with her. They realize that she is not just an authoritarian figure but a person with her own vulnerabilities and aspirations.

As the story progresses, Roger and his classmates start to undergo a transformation in their attitudes towards Miss Awful. The class also gains a newfound sense of unity and understanding, with Miss Orville becoming an unexpected source of inspiration for them. Eventually, Miss Wilson returns, and the students bid farewell to Miss Orville. The class is left with lasting memories of a teacher who, despite her sternness, imparted invaluable life lessons. As they reflect on the events that transpired, the students understand the significance of not judging someone solely based on first impressions and appearances.

Miss Awful | Analysis

“Miss Awful” portrays the introduction of a strict and somewhat eccentric substitute teacher named Miss Orville, who takes charge of the third-grade class at St. Geoffrey’s school. The story revolves around the reactions of the students, particularly, Roger Clark, to the strictness and unorthodox methods of the new teacher. Clark is portrayed as a caring and sensitive young boy who worries about people and is kind-hearted whereas Miss Orville, the substitute teacher, is introduced as strict, authoritative, and unconventional, which sets up a clear conflict between her and the students.

Miss Orville represents the traditional, strict style of teaching, while the students, especially Roger, appreciate the more relaxed and fun-loving approach of their regular teacher, Miss Wilson. The story introduces a clear conflict between Miss Orville’s strict teaching methods and the student’s desire for a more enjoyable learning environment. As the story progresses, the tension builds, and the students contemplate ways to “get even” with Miss Orville.

Miss Awful | Themes

One of the central themes of the story is the concept of authority and how it is exercised. Miss Orville, the substitute teacher, represents an authoritarian figure who rules her classroom with strictness and harsh discipline. This stands in contrast to the more compassionate and understanding approach of the regular teacher, Miss Wilson. The story prompts readers to consider the effects of different teaching styles and the importance of finding a balance between discipline and empathy.

The story highlights the significance of empathy in the teaching profession. Miss Orville lacks understanding and fails to connect with her students, especially Roger. This absence of empathy leads to a negative and hostile classroom environment. In contrast, Miss Wilson’s approach showcases the positive outcomes of a teacher who is compassionate and takes the time to understand her students’ needs.

Through the character of Roger, the story delves into the impact of strictness and unkindness on students. Roger is a sensitive and imaginative boy who struggles to cope with Miss Orville’s rigid disciplinary measures. The story illustrates how such an environment can stifle a student’s creativity and enthusiasm for learning.

Roger’s daydreaming and imaginative nature serve as a contrast to the stern and rigid world imposed by Miss Orville. The story implies the importance of nurturing a child’s creativity and allowing them to express their imagination freely.

The title itself, “Miss Awful,” and the students’ nickname for their substitute teacher raises questions about perception and the danger of labeling others based on initial impressions. It encourages readers to look beyond appearances and reputations to discover the true nature of a person.

The story subtly celebrates the impact of good teachers like Miss Wilson. Her absence makes the students realize how much they appreciate her caring and patient approach to teaching.

Miss Awful | Character Sketch

Miss Orville, also known as “Miss Awful,” is a substitute teacher and a central character in the story “Miss Awful” written by Arthur Cavanaugh. She is a stern, rigid, and authoritarian figure who contrasts sharply with the beloved regular teacher, Miss Wilson. While the story does not provide extensive details about Miss Orville’s physical appearance, it can be inferred that she dresses conservatively and formally, reflecting her strict personality. Miss Orville is highly authoritative and demands strict discipline from her students. She expects complete obedience and has little tolerance for any form of disobedience or mischief.

Unlike Miss Wilson, who is kind and understanding, Miss Orville shows little empathy or compassion towards her students. She is not interested in their feelings or individual circumstances and appears to be cold-hearted. Miss Orville sticks to the rules and routines, refusing to adapt or be flexible in her teaching methods. She is set in her ways and has a rigid approach to education. Unlike the previous teacher, Miss Wilson, who was engaging and fun-loving, Miss Orville initially fails to inspire her students. Due to her harsh demeanor and lack of understanding, Miss Orville is highly unpopular among the students, who give her the nickname “Miss Awful.”

Eventually, Miss Orville showcases a vulnerability and softness that exists in her heart through a touching conversation that she has with her students. It is through this, that she becomes an inspiration to them and they understand the reasons for her harsh techniques.

Miss Awful | Significance of Title

The title refers to the nickname given to the substitute teacher, Miss Orville, by her students. The title “Miss Awful” is symbolic of the students’ collective sentiment towards their substitute teacher. It implies that the students find her to be unpleasant, strict, and unkind. The nickname is an expression of their frustration and disappointment with her teaching style, which stands in stark contrast to their beloved regular teacher, Miss Wilson.

The title gains particular significance in its relation to the main character, Roger. He is a sensitive and imaginative boy who struggles to cope with Miss Orville’s strictness. The nickname “Miss Awful” likely intensifies Roger’s negative perception of her. It demonstrates how a teacher’s demeanor and approach can deeply affect a student’s attitude toward education.

The title sets the tone for the central conflict of the story – the clash between the substitute teacher’s rigid authoritarianism and the students’ desire for a more compassionate and understanding educator. This conflict drives the narrative and explores the challenges students face when dealing with an unyielding authority figure. The title invites readers to contemplate the different teaching styles embodied by Miss Orville (Miss Awful) and Miss Wilson. It subtly reminds us of the importance of empathy and understanding in the teaching profession. It emphasizes that students thrive in a supportive and compassionate learning environment, while strict and unsympathetic teaching can be detrimental to their growth.

On the other hand, the title is also essential in highlighting Miss Orville herself, whom this nickname is for. She has a deep impact on each of the students, especially Roger as they all are forced to challenge their opinions about her.

Miss Awful | Literary Devices

The story employs vivid imagery to paint a clear picture of the characters and settings. For example, descriptions of Miss Orville’s stern face, the students’ fear, and Roger’s daydreams help readers visualize the events and emotions in the story.

One of the central symbols in the story is the gold star that Miss Orville gives to students for good behavior. It symbolizes both her authority and the students’ desire for approval. Additionally, the cat, Tommy, can be seen as a symbol of freedom and defiance against Miss Orville’s strictness.

The story uses irony to create contrast and highlight the unexpected. The nickname “Miss Awful” given to Miss Orville by the students is ironic because it contradicts the conventional expectation of respecting authority figures.

The students’ worry and anticipation about the substitute teacher’s arrival foreshadow the challenges they will face in the classroom.

The personification of objects and animals adds a touch of whimsy to the story. For instance, the personification of the school’s furnace as a “monster” and Tommy the cat is described as “bewildered” and “inquisitive.”

The repetition of initial consonant sounds in neighboring words is occasionally used to create rhythm and draw attention to certain phrases. An example can be seen in phrases like “scary smile,” and “terrible time.”

While the story does not heavily rely on similes and metaphors, there are occasional instances. For instance, Roger’s creative mind is compared to a “balloon,” emphasizing its imaginative nature.

The dialogue between characters plays a significant role in revealing their personalities and emotions. It helps develop the plot and adds authenticity to the interactions.

Hyperbole, or deliberate exaggeration, is used to emphasize certain aspects of the story. For example, the students’ fear of Miss Orville is exaggerated when they believe she could turn them into “pumpkins” or “mice.”

The author skillfully creates a mood of tension and apprehension when Miss Orville is in charge, and a mood of relief and joy when Miss Wilson returns. The mood effectively enhances the reader’s emotional experience.