Class Clown: Several characters but Lou Martin is the most obvious example.

She only survived because the ledge broke her fall.

Bungled Suicide: Alice jumps out of a school window after being spurned and embarrassed by her crush.

Pastorfield's attempts to make learning fun. She complains about the extra work they stick her with, and believes herself to be the only teacher in the school who takes the job seriously.

Lampshaded when Sylvia calls her Ella Freud. All Psychology Is Freudian: Ella Friedenberg, full stop.Whereas before he had always signed his written suggestions and comments 'Me,' he now proudly writes out his name. He later comments that it made him feel 'real,' and the experience gives him self-confidence. A Day in the Limelight: By appointing shy, quiet José to be the judge presiding over the mock trial, Sylvia provides this for him.Abusive Parents: Linda's dad beats her.Up the Down Staircase provides examples of: The film was directed by Robert Mulligan and stars Sandy Dennis as Sylvia, along with Patrick Bedford, Eileen Heckart, Ruth White, Sorrell Booke, and Jean Stapleton. Sylvia is not dissuaded and continues to try and teach her students about literature nevertheless. Unfortunately, many of Sylvia's students are more interested in disturbing the class and goofing off than learning anything. Fresh out of college, Sylvia begins her first job as an English teacher at an inner-city public high school in New York City. The novel tells the story of a young, idealistic teacher named Sylvia Barrett. A bestseller, it was adapted into a 1967 film and later on a stage play. Up the Down Staircase is a 1964 Epistolary Novel by Bel Kaufman.

Up the Down Staircase by Bel Kaufman