The History Boys by Nina

Posner Page 5

nst — 2015-09-29 14:45:36 UTC

We are first introduced to Posner looking in a dictionary to understand the word 'euphemism' which he defines to the rest of the class. Hector uses Posner to check the understanding of complex lexis such as 'otiose.' This suggests that Posner enjoys language and playing with language, perhaps in a similar way to Hector. The next line from Posner is a quotation from King Lear. He is associated with acting and performing - perhaps an indication that he is struggling with his own identity. His first lines are not his own words

Scripps

2015-09-30 11:19:12 UTC

The first time Scripps speaks, it's in french where he says, "Pas encore. Ayez pitié de nous." Meaning, not again, have pity on us. when he says this he is addressing Hector, when he asks if the boys want to work this afternoon. His first English spoken words in the play are "I'll come, sir", when again responding to Hector. Hector has asked who he can give a lift on his motorbike, and no one offers to come with. Scripps is then shown as the understanding one of the boys, where he has put himself up in the situation, however has no hard feelings about it. He understands Hectors feelings of 'indulgence' and doesn't think negatively of him, realizing that this is part of the relationship they have with him, and that it's just 'part of it'. He most likeley also gives himself up to do it seeing as he is more insightful than most of the boys, therfore maybe more protective of them.

Crowther page 6

2015-09-30 11:20:23 UTC

When the audience is first introduced to Crowther, we see a sarcastic side to him, he says "you're not supposed to hit us sir. We could report you, sir," Showing the audience can see Crowther almost mocking Hector by the repetition of the word "sir." However, the audience is shown that not just Crowther but all the boys do have respect for Hector. This is shown with the phrase "we could" suggesting that Crowther likes to include himself within the group, as well as showing that his sarcasm also shows respect with the word "could," implying that they have the opportunity to report him but will not due to the respect.

Dakin <3

2015-09-30 11:21:07 UTC

Dakin is first introduced as 'Dakin, a handsome boy.' showing he his good looking as well as smart.

Dakin's first line is 'permettez-moi, monsieur.' translating to 'allow me, sir.' this shows that he is very smart and good at languages.

His second line is 'You should treat us with more respect. We're scholarship candidates now. We're all going to Oxford and Cambridge.' shoing that Dakin is very sure of himself and a bit stuck up because he's so sure he's going to get into Oxbridge.

Dakin is fancied by Posner but is very straight so doesn't return his feeling however at the end of the novel he says to Irwin 'I'm just kicking the tyres on this one but, further to the drink, what I was really wondering was whether there were any circumstances in which there was any chance of your sucking me off.' Showing that Dakin may like Irwin but not Posner

Rudge page 7

2015-09-30 11:21:15 UTC

Rudge's first line is "He hits you if he likes you. He never touches me. " This suggests that he is slightly dissapointed that Hector doesn't like him, it also suggests that he's eager to be liked by the teachers . It also reitterates the idea that Rudge is desperate to do well in school. This can also be seen in the next line he says. He says "So what's the verdict the sir? What do I write down?" This illustrates an idea that Rudge is desperate to please and do exactly what teachers want him to. Also as we have seen earlier in the play, the headmaster has "no faith" in him, which may be a reason why he's so desperate to please and be liked.

Lockwood Page 5

2015-09-30 11:21:32 UTC

Excluding the French word for gloves, Lockwood's first phrase is about him answering the question why does he want to go to Oxbridge, he uses a mainly monosyllabic cliché, and describes it as "old sir, tried and tested" stating Oxbridge is so old you can't go wrong with it however it shows he is also conforming as hector states he wants to go to Oxbridge because "the other boys want to go there".

Posner page 41

2015-09-30 11:21:45 UTC

On page 41 we found out Posner is curious or possibly insecure about his sexuality. This becomes apparent when he confronts Irwin by saying ' Sir, I think I may be homosexual.' this could suggest that Posner is worried of what his classmates will think of therefore, he discusses his issues with a figure of Authority in the form of Irwin.

Posner page 21

2015-09-30 11:21:57 UTC

When Posner approaches the rest of the boys who are talking about Hector and what happened to Scripps on the bike they stop talking. Posner
notices this and says ‘Because I was late growing up I am not included in this kind of conversation.’ This shows how Posner is aware that the other boys shelter him from certain information because they see him as still young and even vulnerable.
Posner then goes on to say ‘Actually, they would be surprised how much I know’ this shows Posner trying to prove himself to the other boys because he is hurt about what they are saying even thought, to an extent, they are only trying to protect him.

Timms page 5

2015-09-30 11:22:00 UTC

Excluding the french word for helmet Timms first phrase is questioning whether A.E Housman was a ''nancy''. This is irrelevant to learning and therefore shows Timms character is not commonly associated with knowledge. Timms could be generally described as the class clown. This is further referenced by Timms replying to Irwins ''joke'' with an exclamatory and then a largely polysyllabic sentence that requires Irwin to extend on a crude (non-learning related) topic to provoke laughter.

Akthar

2015-09-30 11:23:38 UTC

Page 39

We couldn't do that sir. That would be betrayal of trust, That would be baring our souls.

This quotation is said to Irwin it is quite true to his character as, he tends to stick up for people throughout the play. He does not get involved in the boys conversations and often seems like he is daydreaming or disconnected from the others, he is teased a lot and this makes him feel lost within the group of boys. This quotation also suggests that, he is quite loyal towards Hector and feels that by sticking up for Hector he has a purpose and finds a voice within himself.

Dakin Page 21

2015-09-30 11:23:58 UTC

We get the impression that Dakin likes to wind up the other boys and teachers. On page 21, it says 'Show you they're still in the game. Foreskins and stuff. 'Ooh Sir! You devil!'. This shows that Dakin is winding up Irwin and doesn't care. This also shows that Dakin has some sort of connection with Irwin to be able to wind him up like this. Dakin knows that Irwin won't take it the wrong way and will joke around with the boys too and understand their sense of humour.

Lockwood

2015-09-30 11:24:03 UTC

First English line: 'Old, sir. Tried and tested.' Showing his faith in Oxbridge and that he believes that it is the best place to get his education. He believes what everyone else thinks- that Oxbridge is the best, he is conforming.

He also says that 'it's race-related but not racist.' This shows his abstract way of thinking as he is working his way around being called a racist. This is partly why we know that if he conforms to the idea of Oxbridge, we know the aim of going to Oxbridge must be a very powerful social influence.

Scripps page 17

2015-09-30 11:24:09 UTC

'The things I do for Jesus' we know that Scripps is religious and so this line could be seen as a joke; it is like he is trying to say that allowing Hector this 'indulgence' he is sacrificing some of his morals. It is clear the Scripps does not see Hector in a perverse way and that rather than feeling harmed by what happens, it is seen as an appreciation for Hector that is accepted as part of his eccentricity and the 'sacrifice' is made in order to have the relationship they do with him. The fact that he volunteers 'resignedly' shows that in this case it was to protect one of the boys like Posner who could potentially see the situation in a harmful way and it is likely that Scripps knows about Posner's sexuality, which would make it worse morally (though it is in no way morally right anyway).

crowther

2015-09-30 11:24:10 UTC

Timms

2015-09-30 11:25:19 UTC

the way Timms talks about how Hector abuses the boys is that it's 'it was a joke'. this can show why they also don't really react to Hector on the bike, because they believe its just how Hector is. this may be why they put up with it.

Dakin Page 18

2015-09-30 11:29:02 UTC

On page 18, Dakin says 'I got all the points'. This shows that Dakin likes to show off by saying that he knows all of the information that Irwin is telling him. He likes to try and stand out from the other boys and let the other boys know how intelligent he is, or at least how he thinks he is.

Akthar

2015-09-30 11:31:14 UTC

One of Akthar's first lines are when Hector asks the boys to quote a poet and Akthar is first to reply with 'A.E Houseman, sir' This shows how Akthar is intelligent and has lots of knowledge.

Timms page 18

2015-09-30 11:32:10 UTC

Timms criticizes Irwins handwriting by calling it 'crap' and stating he read Irwin as 'I ruin', he then questions whether it is 'significant'. This is contrast to the classroom convention of teachers criticizing students. This shows Timms has strong confidence and this could be seen as a test of Irwin as to whether he will accept the criticism as a peer or punish it as a superior and assert his authority. Irwin continues in a banterous conversation until he is surprised by there confidence and knowledge. This shows that all though not associated with knowledge it is at Timms disposal.

Posner

2015-09-30 11:33:59 UTC

On page 41, we are shown the difficult situation that Posner
is currently going through, “Sir, I think I may be homosexual”, this is the
first insight we really truly get of Posner. Here it is clearly shown that he
is curious about his sexuality and needs to confide in someone because he is
confused or curiosity has taken over. Through
confiding in Irwin he is showing that he is struggling on his own to understand
his recent views on himself. All the way through the play there are hints about homosexuality, and in the end Timms starts to joke about sexuality and through the openness about sexuality we start to see Irwin's views about sexuality and how he sees himself.

Lockwood Page 18

2015-09-30 11:36:45 UTC

Lockwood states "Mrs Lintott discourages the dramatic" showing he enjoys originality, imagination, drama and presentation. He doesn't agree with Mrs Lintott's way of teaching and finds it lacks originality

Lockwood Page 7

2015-09-30 11:37:39 UTC

On page 7 it says 'He hit me. He never hits me'. This shows that Lockwood trusts Hector and believes that he will never hit him out of all of the boys. This also shows that he is shocked when Hector does actually hit him

crowther

2015-09-30 11:39:00 UTC

crowther-“your not supposed to hit us ,sirWe could support you sir”This quotation shows that Crowther is constantly questioning the authority of teachers. He always shows his opinion despite the fact that he is not one of the main characters. He seems provoke the teachers in some sense to do things that they should not necessarily be doing. He’s showing sarcasm towards hector which shows he’s not very shy and is confident within himself. This in a sense shows a lack of respect for hector as he is being quite rude and reacting back to teachers.

Rudge page 7 and 35

2015-09-30 11:39:04 UTC

We first get introduced to Rudge on page 7 during a conversation with all the boys and Hector, Rudge seems more detached from all the boys and isn’t so popular with the teachers as the rest which we can infer when he says “He hits you if he likes you, he never touches me”, suggesting that Hector isn’t so keen on Rudge, and he notices. Hector doesn’t have a close relationship with Rudge and so doesn’t show him any affection by playfully hitting him like he does with the rest of the boys. This could be because all of the other boys are witty and quick whereas Rudge is ‘slow’ and isn’t as advanced as the other boys so he tends to be over looked.

Rudge is very concerned and is more serious than the other boys; he takes everything literally and is a hardworking person, perhaps because he needs to work harder than the others as there more naturally clever. In a conversation with Mrs Lintott, he says “you’ve force-fed us the facts; now we’re running around acquiring flavour”, this suggests that he’s really trying to take on Irwin’s teaching style and incorporate it into his exams even though he struggles with things not being straightforward and factual.

jaime_leigh1998 — 2016-05-11 20:51:51 UTC

First of all I would like you to work on the quotation you have chosen to represent your character. You are going to write the quotation and explain what you understand about the character from the quotation. You could explore the very first thing they say, explore the very first conversation they have, or explore what is said about them.