The History Boys: The French Scene

 How is the French scene typical to Hector and his relationship with the boys?

The subject at matter in the scene is sexual, which suggests that Hector is open with the topic with the boys. The openness of the topic with the boys shows that they comfortable and friendly relationship, as shown in the previous scenes of the play. However, at some points in the scene Hector is seen as slightly unprofessional. This is shown when Hector agrees to Dakin's proposal of setting the scene in a 'brothel'. Then, later on in the scene Hector is amused to when Posner asks Dakin to take off his trousers- which he does. Within Hectors classroom, he has no restrictions on the boys which suggest his role as the boys teachers isn't met. Whilst Dakin takes his trousers off at Posner's request, the boys mock and tease and Hector remains silent, and corrects Dakin in his French tenses 'I would like to stretch out on the bed in the conditional or the subjunctive'.  Throughout the scene Hectors behaviour with the boys seems inappropriate to the viewer and makes them feel slightly uncomfortable.

Definitions

Farce: a comic dramatic work using buffoonery and horseplay and typically including crude characterization and ludicrously improbable situations.

Fall guy: a scapegoat

• In the scene, farce could be used to describe the comedic performance the boys are acting out. Throughout out the scene many characters are seen as sexually inappropriate such as Posner and Dakin. Although some of the characters are acting in a sexually inappropriate way, it is hidden through the humorous way the boys are presenting the characters. Later on in the scene the Headmaster is labeled as the fall guy. This is shown when the Headmaster interrupts the boys performance, and is unable to fluently speak French unlike the boys and Hector. Through the Headmasters lack of understanding of the situation of the classroom, he is shown as unintelligent. The shift of attention then draws from Hector to the Headmaster, as he continues to interrupt the inappropriate lesson.

What does the play suggest about the boys and the teachers personalities?

• Headmaster; school-centric,unlikeable and unable to maintain respect, strict
• Hector; passionate, inappropriate, genuinely loving and caring of the boys
• Irwin; snide, slick, wants to prove himself 
• Posner; feelings of being an outsider, eager to impress, submissive
• Dakin; confident, intelligent, open minded, slightly cruel, humorous 

Throughout the scene there is the subtext, this is the thoughts and feelings of the character even though they may not speak these. Personally, I believe in the scene Hector is giving subtle sexual messages towards the boys. Hector may not be completely open, but he agrees to the ideas of the boys that are of a sexual nature. At no point in the scene does Hector halt the performance, he seems to enjoy it as he irregually contributes. The fact that he allows the boys to perform to him, with little guidance suggests he admires the boys. At the near end of the scene, the Headmaster catches the class performing an inappropriate scene. As Hector convinces the Headmaster that the scene they are performing is of a hospital in Belgium, the boys give assistance to the lie: making it seem more realistic. The fact that the boys give help to Hector, when he is in a problematic situation suggests the boys have an alliance with him;the boys will do anything for Hector. Even though in Hectors classroom there are no boundaries, Hector still manages to have a form of respect over them.