Choose one of the teachers in the History boys.

Choose one of the teachers in the History boys. What are their views about education? Explain using quotations and reference to linguistic techniques.

The first time Hector is introduced to the audience, he arrives to school ‘in motor cycle leathers and helmet’. This shows that hector does not follow or conform to the stereotypical role of what a teacher should act and dress like, which also gives the audience an insight to what an abstract take Hector may have on teaching. His appearance reflects his way of teaching in fact, which also does not follow the rules.

Hector is described by the writer as a quite guarded character, because nobody (except a close colleague Mrs Lintott) really knows who he is. The first interaction Hector has is with his students, and their conversations are all in French, he also often speaks in quotations or references when asked a question and this could all suggest that he hides behind language in order to not show his true self. He is very evasive and doesn’t actually answer the question most times, and his lessons are centered on teaching the boys about life. He believes that ‘all knowledge is precious, whether or not it serves the slightest human use’, which basically is his well worded excuse for not wanting to teach the boys things for the exam. He believes that if he was ever ‘entrusted with the time table’ it would be ‘a waste of time.’

Alan Bennett repeats the idea of nakedness throughout the first scene, with references to ‘stripping down’, this could have been done to relate to Hectors insecurities about his real self, and why he might not want to reveal it to anyone. We later find out that he is a paedophile, and this first scene could be foreshadowing the shame that is going to be brought on to his character later on in the play. In the first part of the scene, he tries to use guilt as a way to stop the boys from wanting to go to oxford. He says to them “forget oxford and Cambridge. Why do you want to go there?” In a way, he seems hurt. This shows that he allows his emotions to cloud and make his judgements which is very unprofessional and portrays some immaturity in him, as he wants it to be about him and what he wants, not about the prospect of the boys’ future.    

By translating the second half of Hectors first lesson, we can start to understand his peculiar ways of teaching. Hector does not have lesson plans, he tends to just ‘see how it goes’ in a sense and this scene shows his clear disregard for boundaries, as he lets his lesson unfold in to a crude spontaneous play of a ‘masion de passe’. Although he does not have the intentions to let them create a play on this, he doesn’t reprimand Dakin; instead he opens the topic up in to even more detail. This shows Hectors selfish side, as he is only really doing it for his own personal enjoyment. When the acting gets a little out of hand, instead of telling the boys off, he simply lets it carry on. We can infer from this scene that Hector doesn’t really care about the boys doing well in their future exams, and that he kind of just lives in the moment and prefers ‘fun’ over actual learning.

History boys character notes

History boys character notes

Irwin- Quite young looking, Scripp's believed he was another student on first impression. Tries to use humour to get on the boys level, but can tend to let his self go past the teacher boundaries. Quite an intelligent but furtive character, uses different clever(sometimes harsh) techniques to teach the boys differently to other teachers. Can be slightly theatrical and over dramatic at times. One foreshadow in the play is that when Irwin writes his name it looks like 'I ruin'. Subtle with crudeness, but still has elements of it. Always sets the discourse for the lesson. Irwin's motivation is to be remembered by the boys, like Hector will be. Education is a game to him.


Hector- Uses language as a disguise. Does to conform to rules of teaching/education. Doesn't respect the students(not really respected either though). Tries to cover up true meanings of what he says by preaches or rants. Insecure and selfish character. Egotistical. Later found out to be a paedophile. No boundaries between him and students. Lets his emotions interfere with his teaching. Creates private world with students(verbal fig leaf). Eccentric. Prides himself in not teaching for an exam.

Mrs Lintott- Has some of the most morally right reactions/quotations. Doesn't allow emotion to cloud judgement/teaching but does care for the boys and shows kindness on quite a few occasions. Only female teacher. Most realistic character, sets Hector straight but doesn't treat him like a monster.  Traditional. Teaches facts and figures. Boys get excellent results due to her teaching.

Headmaster- Utilitarian character. Lets Hector overpower him. Only thinks of boys exam results and not their futures. Selfish. No sense of humour.

Posner- In love with Dakin. Quiet and shy, Jewish. Loves singing. Confused about sexuality. Allows himself to be the joke of the class, lets people take the mickey out on him. Loves reading.

Dakin- Sure of himself. Arrogant and full of himself. Doesn't like that Irwin isn't as affected by him as everyone else is. Over confident.

Scripps- Is predisposed with exploring his Christianity. Budding writer. Records events in his note book. Posner confides in him.

Rudge- Star rugby player whose ability shocks everyone. Only authentic person. Finds Irwins teaching style difficult.

Akthar- Muslim- this is often referred to. Happy to get involved.

Timms- The joker of the group- often whacked by Hector for this. Enjoys teasing Irwin.

'How does the article inform and entertain its reader?’

'Jennifer Lawrence: "I'm fed up with having to negotiate for same wages as male Hollywood stars"'

Don’t call me stereotypical, but the first thing that caught my attention in this article was the headlines huge famous name drop- Jennifer Lawrence. I pride myself in being different, not conforming to societies need for the admiration of popular celebrities, but I’d be lying if I said that I was completely oblivious to the names and statuses of these idols. I’m not a real watcher of popular movies, however I had to succumb to the pressure and force myself to watch ‘the hunger games’ and form my opinion on what everyone just simply couldn’t stop talking about. At first glance at such a popular name, I rolled my eyes making the assumption that it was probably going to be something pointless like boy drama etc., however I was shocked as I read on that it was leading to the controversial topic of feminism.

The headline was clever I must say, as it catches the attention of all sorts of people. Some will become interested at the mention of a celebrity, but others (like me) will be drawn in by the talk of something that has been socially debated throughout history. I was definitely shocked to realise that not all celebrities’ brains are focused on fame, money and relationships and found myself respecting the angle to which Jennifer Lawrence was coming from. This article informs us that even female celebrities have gender struggles, and that just because you’re well known throughout the world does not mean you can shake off the inequalities between men and women. 

I have been studying the topic of feminism and gender differences in my sociology lessons, which is also why I believe I have engaged with this article. Feminism and inequality is such an interesting subject, and by linking it with a well-known actor this article will help more people become aware of this aggravating problem. Being a female myself, I completely agree with Jennifer Lawrence’s outrage at being treated as of less importance than her male co-workers. This article entertains the reader by challenging the professional worlds decisions to give less money to females, and gets the reader(whether they are male or female) to really think and try to understand where all of this has stemmed from. Why do women earn less money? It can’t be that they do less important work, or that they don’t work as hard as men surely? Rhetorical questions like these will be playing through the readers head continuously throughout this article, and will help let people form their own opinions on the topic of feminism and the problems women face today. 

The writer forms negative associations with women and lexis like ‘difficult’, and ‘spoiled’. This pushes the idea that women are actually treated differently to men, and sometimes in a derogatory way. In a way this article questions societies assumptions on women, as later on it discusses how Lawrence is ‘over trying to find the ‘adorable’ way to state her opinion and still be like-able’ and talks about how she had made a stand and fought back for women’s rights, when she ‘spoke her mind and gave her opinion in a clear way; no aggression, just blunt’ to a man she worked with, and was treated as if she had said something offensive. She talked about how if a man does it he is respected, and not judged, and by using these anecdotes the reader starts to try and empathise with the star.