Ferenczi And Tommy's Relationship

Tommy defends Miss Ferenczi because he enjoys the spark of difference brought into his life. Tommy can immediately tell that Miss Ferenczi is different: “I put the chameleon in his terrarium and felt my way to my desk, never taking my eyes off the woman. With white and green chalk, she had started to draw a tree on the left side of the blackboard. She didn’t look usual.” Tommy can immediately tell, by the second page of the story infact, that Miss Ferenczi is different. He isn’t sure if he’s a total fan of the difference, but it’s a noticeable shift from his everyday life for him. Things are usually pretty boring and bland for Tommy around his town of Five Oaks. Even after Tommy tries to engage his mother in conversation about the new, different teacher, “‘She said that six times eleven was sometimes sixty-eight!’ I said.

‘In Egypt.’” Tommy’s mother is ignorant of the things Tommy is trying to share with her: “‘Did you hear me?’ my mother asked, raising her arm to wipe her forehead with the back of her hand. ‘You have chores to do.” Tommy’s interest leads him to want to tell more, “‘I know,’ I said. ‘I was just telling you abot the substitute.’” Again, Tommy is ignored by his mother: “‘It’s very interesting,’ my mother said, quickly glancing down at me, ‘and we can talk about it later when your father gets home. But right now you have some work to do.’” Tommy’s mother pays no attention to him, This is typical, and Tommy likes the new, unusual adult in his life. Miss. Ferenczi brings change, and is an adult Tommy can actually relate