As we have now finished looking at the play for the time being (we will come back to it later in the course), use the rest of this lesson to consolidate your knowledge and understanding of the text.
Explore and answer the following questions on your blogs. What you do not finish today will be your homework - please finish these within no later than 2 weeks (8th December).
The
History Boys Summative Questions
About the
History
1.
History itself is a subject in the play. In the play Dakin
calls Irwin’s method subjunctive history, the history of what might have been.
Do you think there is value in Irwin’s approach to looking at historical events?
Why or why not?
2.
In addition to world historical events we are also given a
glimpse at the personal histories of the characters in the play. What do their
personal histories reveal? How do their remembrances differ?
3.
Much of the play is not about poetry but literature. Many of
the poets quoted wrote during World War I. What resonances exist between the
young men at war and the young men in the play?
About the
Play
4.
The three teachers, Mrs. Lintott, Mr. Hector and Mr. Irwin,
have strikingly different teaching methods and goals. Discuss the merits and
disadvantages of their competing pedagogies.
5.
Irwin says he does not think there is time for Hector’s type
of teaching any more. What does he mean? What is lost with the loss of Hector?
6.
Hector is a problematic character in the play. He is a
gifted teacher but some of his actions are inappropriate. Can one reconcile
Hector’s behaviour with his teaching?
7.
Mrs. Lintott is the lone woman in the play. What is her role
both as an educator and historian? Is it significant that she is surrounded by
men, both in the school and in her work? How do you interpret her outburst
about the role of women in history?
8.
The characters in the play occasionally step outside
themselves to comment on the action of the play, either within the moment or
sometimes from a perspective years later. How does this commentary help us
understand the play?
