History Boys - Overall

Question 1

Bond between Hector and boys is established (p6)

Answer 1

Child, I am your teacher. Whatever I do in this room is a token of my trust.

Question 2

Hector reveals himself to be more sensitive than Irwin in the holocaust scene (p70)

Answer 2

How can you teach the holocaust?

Question 3

Irwin’s tactics are shown to be successful (p97)

Answer 3

Splendid news! Poster a scholarship, Dakin an exhibition and places for everyone else.

Question 4

A quote to suggest Posner’s approach to education (p7)

Answer 4

[From King Lear] Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say

Question 5

Shows a knowledge is a means to an end for Irwin (p26)

Answer 5

Poetry is good up to a point. Adds flavour.

Question 6

Mrs Lintott’s cynical view on why women marry (p92)

Answer 6

Man’s lukewarm attentions just what they married them for

Question 7

Shows Dakin sees Fiona as territory to conquer (p28)

Answer 7

She’s my Western front.

Question 8

Hector rejects Irwin’s exam technique (p83)

Answer 8

Why can they not just tell the truth?

Question 9

Irwin’s view on exam technique is shown - originality (p26)

Answer 9

You can write down, Rudge, that ‘I must not write down every word the teacher says.’

Question 10

Hector is shown to be in despair (p65)

Answer 10

What made me piss my life away in this god-forsaken place

Question 11

Irwin shows off his tactic to doing well in history exams (p74)

Answer 11

this is history. Distance yourself.

Question 12

Rudge’s simple and comedic view on history (p85)

Answer 12

It’s just one fucking thing after another

Question 13

A quote that completely demonstrates Hector’s views on education. (p109)

Answer 13

Pass it on boys. That’s the game I wanted you to learn. Pass it on.

Question 14

Hector voices his suppressed desires (p94)

Answer 14

See it as an inoculation, rather. Briefly painful but providing immunity for however long it takes.

Question 15

An important comment that shows Irwin’s cynical nature (p1)

Answer 15

Paradox works well and mists up the windows

Question 16

Irwin’s populist views on history are shown (p35)

Answer 16

History nowadays is not a matter of conviction. It’s a performance. It’s entertainment. And if it isn’t, make it so.

Question 17

Mrs Lintott shows her feminist views (p85)

Answer 17

History is a commentary on the various and continuing incapabilities of men.

Question 18

Hector does not understand that touching the boys was wrong (p95)

Answer 18

I didn’t actually do anything. It was a laying on of hands

Question 19

Mrs Lintott’s view on male-dominated history (p85)

Answer 19

History is women following behind with a bucket

Question 20

A quote supporting Bennett’s views on the randomness of history (p105)

Answer 20

And here history rattled over the points…

Question 21

Explains Lintott’s factual approach to history (p9)

Answer 21

Plainly stated and organised facts need no presentation, surely

Question 22

Irwin’s views on what education is for contrasts that of Hector’s
(p49)

Answer 22

Education isn’t something for when they are old and grey and sitting by the fire. It’s for now.

Question 23

Shows how Hector loves literature (p56)

Answer 23

The best moment in reading is when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things that you thought special to you

Question 24

Hector may not be all that he seems (p4)

Answer 24

Studied eccentricity

Question 25

Headmaster expresses his outrage at Hectors touching of the boys (p53)

Answer 25

A hand on a boy's genitals at fifty miles an hour, and you call it nothing?

Question 26

The headmasters superficiality is revealed when talking to Mrs Lintott (p8)

Answer 26

Factually tip-top as your boys always are, something more is required

Question 27

Indicates the Headmaster's opinion on the boys education (p11)

Answer 27

All bright but they need polish. Edge.

Question 28

Reveals the headmasters superficial approach to education (p9)

Answer 28

Think charm. Think polish. Think Renaissance Man.