The History Boys - Research Task

** Before you get started, I am still waiting for everyone to comment on the post below with their Blog URLs. I have had 4 people comment out of 21 of you. Do this before you begin.**

Good morning everyone, today you will be working on a contextual and historical research task.

You are going to explore some of the wider historical and textual references in the next scene we see Irwin teaching the boys (pages 23-27)


Wilfred Owen / reference to donkeys / General Haig /  / Ruhr and Rhineland / Weimar Republic / Hitler / Cenotaph / the Last Post / the Unknown Soldier / Siegfried Sassoon/  Kipling (why does Akthar respond to this) / quote from Kipling  / Rembrandt  / Larkin's MCMXIV

Choose 3 of the above historical events or literary figures. Research what / who it is and comment on:

• the significance to Irwin's argument about History / knowledge / education
• what it demonstrates about the boys
• what themes are raised

Make sure you consider your reference within the context it is used.

Post your response on your blogs.

EXTENSION TASK: Start reading and making notes on Alan Bennett's Introduction to The History Boys. Post your notes on your blog. This can be done over the next couple of weeks.

Thank you! Enjoy!

Claudia