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.

My hometown bristol

My hometown Bristol

If I had to name one thing in Bristol that stood out, it would have to be our unwavering ability to complain about the constantly changing weather. Us bristolians never really know what outfit would be best for the unfolding of the day ahead...Will it be cold? Hot? In between? Do I need an umbrella or a jacket? Do I need to wear my hair up or down?

All of these questions are simply unanswerable! Our weather is so unpredictable, for instance we could start the day off absolutely freezing, teeth chattering and body shaking with the cool air, therefore forcing us to wear thick layers to keep warm. By the end of the day we could be burning from the heat of the sun, having to take off thick jackets and slicking our hair out of our face. I’m proving my point, as a true bristolian, by going on a short rant about the weather aren’t i? We can’t help it, it’s in our nature and blood to want to mutter under our breath in frustration at change, to complain.

Although I sound negative in this post, it’s not because I don’t love my hometown. In fact, it’s the moaning, the complaining and the sarcastic humour that make it such a special and unique place to live in.

 Bristol also has many music venues(the colston hall, the thekla, the O2 academy, the fleece and many more) that have been visited by well loved bands.

 One of my favourite aspects of Bristol however has to be the Bristol Hippodrome. Famous plays are shown there, as well as great tribute acts to well known artists like E.L.O(electric lights orchestra). I have been two times, and have loved the atmosphere every single time. I would highly recommend any one who comes to bristol to go there.

One final thing that I just have to mention is the well known shopping center Cabot circus. There are many amazing clothing stores there including my personal favourite alternative shop 'pulp'. Near it is my second favourite shop- blue banana. Cabot circus caters to every ones needs, whether they want to shop for clothes or just want a bite to it.


My personal language fingerprint

My language fingerprint

How do I define my language fingerprint?

I don’t really have personal catchphrases or sayings, and to be quite honest- I don’t really pay close attention to the way I speak because, well it’s just how I talk, it’s normal to me.

Over these past few days, I’ve been trying to notice the way I talk, and what I say, and these are a few things I have picked up on. 

Most of my conversation topics, with friends and family, tend to always end up about music. Whether I link their sentence with a song lyric, or whether it’s me ‘fangirling’ (awing and giggling) about a rock band member, I can’t seem to steer away from my biggest passion in life. Alongside this, I continuously mention my belief in fate and destiny, and how everything happens for a reason, as well as continuously asking questions about simple things, or deep topics concerning me. I guess in a way, I question the world.  

I’ve also noticed my language behaviour around different types of people- I’m extremely quiet with new people, but I am extremely loud and talkative with friends or family. I tend to laugh at everything, even if it’s not funny, because I guess, laughing is my coping mechanism in uncomfortable situations.

I have noticed the bristolian twang to my voice, as well as the stereotypical dropping of letters (i.e. butter turns to bu’’er, water turns to wa’er). My bristolian slang only tends to make an appearance around friends and family, because I am comfortable with being who I really am with them, and I don’t feel judged on the way I sound, whereas with people in authority or new people I feel the need to articulate my words in order 

to not sound unintelligent.

I have said a few phrases that I didn’t even realise had the possibility to come out of my mouth before these few days, so here are two I picked up on- “scared the lights outta me” and “once in a blue moon.” I think some of these phrases I have gotten from my mum, as she tends to say a lot of them.

A thing I do when I am bored or nervous that I have noticed as well, is that I say “top of the morning to ya” in an (attempt of) an Irish accent, just randomly out of the blue.