There is value in Irwin's approach to looking at historical events because if the boys have an overall knowledge of particular historical events they would be more likely to relate the context to the lesson and have a higher in depth knowledge. However on the other hand the fact the Irwin makes assumptions based on history doesn't give the boys an appropriate knowledge of the historical events as much of Irwin's subjunctive history is untrue- making it no longer proper history.
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?
In the play we are given various glimpses into personal histories of characters in the play especially the teachers educational history. We learn in the play that Irwin states he attended Oxford university however in fact he studied at Bristol. The fact that Irwin was untrue about where he attended university suggests he wanted to impress the students at the school. At this point Bennett exposes Irwin's manipulative and deceiving tendencies. Furthermore, we learn that Mrs. Lintott attended Durham university,however we are given the impression that she does not think highly of the establishment as the best memory she has of Durham is that is what where she had her 'first pizza'.
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?
There are many resonances between the young men at war and the young men in the play. The most prominent being that the soldiers in the war and the the boys in the school are all expected by the teachers to do what they are told. The boys and the soldiers are treated in the same manner despite all their individual differences, they are not seen as humans and only thought of as a way to achieve a goal for someone more superior to their selves.
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.
All three teachers have very different teaching methods, however combined create the ideal teacher as each method has their own merits. Throughout the play Mrs. Lintott is seen as the most traditional and simple teacher, giving her students 'plainly stated facts'. There is nothing fancy about her teaching style and gets straight to the point. However to her her professional manner it distances herself from the boys, as she is unwilling to show her personality as she believes this is not the role of the teacher. Although she may not be friendly with the boys, she is respected by the boys as well as the Headteacher as her appreciates her role in the boys gaining 'very good' results. On the other hand is Hector, the most eccentric of all the teachers in the play. Hector is a very passionate teacher and fully believes that knowledge should be learnt from the heart and used from the heart. Due to Hectors eccentric ways he does not fully prepare the boys for the upcoming exams as he does not believe in the reasoning behind his. Eventhough Hector may feel that exams are pointless, as has a duty as a teacher to provide knowledge for the exam and he does not do it. On the contary, is Irwin, who has a more modernised teaching style and has a more journalistic approach towards teaching as he encourages the boys to give opinions on the matter at hand. Irwin's teaching style focuses on the exams and results and he achieves this by manipulating the boys to lie and waver from the historical truth in order to stand out.
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?
Irwin believes that there is no time for Hector's type of teaching style in the modern eduacational stystem anymore. Hectors teaching style revolves around knowledge and not exam technique which is something that is important in modern day eduacation. After Hectors lost, the boys are missing out on a large part of the loving part of their education, without Hector they only learn for the exam and not for life.
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?
Hector is a teacher and the main role of the teacher is to educate students and keep them safe. Hectors inappropriate actions mean he is putting the boys and hiself in danger and therfore not being a teacher. Hectors actions on the boys are wrong as he is taking advantage of the boys admiration towards him and due to this fact nothing can ,even his teaching, can reconcile Hectors behaviour.
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?
Mrs. Lintott is the only woman teacher in the play,and the fact that she is surrounded by men emphasises her siginficance as the only female historian. The fact that Mrs. Lintott is the only woman in the play would symbolise the role small and insignificant woman have in history taught in schools- Mrs. Lintott is part of the history she is fustrated at. Mrs. Lintott's sudden outburst could symbolise the fustration that has been building up since the introduction of Irwin at the school and the boys respect for her has dropped.
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?
This commentary helps us understand the people as it gives the viewer a summary of the current situation of the play and an inlook into the characters thought and feelings that they might express theirselves. One of the main characters that gives a commentary of the play is Scripps, at points in the play the charatcer asks questions which encourages the converstation of the characters in the play.
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