The History Boys by Alan Bennett

• Born: May 9, 1934
• Birthplace: Leeds, Yorkshire, England

First published: 2004

Type of work: Drama

Type of plot: Tragicomedy

Time of plot: 1980s

Locale: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England

Principal Characters

Hector, an eccentric, inspiring schoolteacher

Irwin, a young academic coach

Akthar, a Muslim student

Crowther, a student with an interest in theater

Dakin, a handsome, self-confident student

Lockwood, a literate student who later becomes a magistrate

Posner, a Jewish student with a crush on Dakin

Rudge, a student more interested in athletics than schoolwork

Scripps, a religiously inclined student

Timms, a student with little interest in poetry

The headmaster, a pompous, shallow bureaucrat

Mrs. Lintott, a successful teacher of history

The Story

Irwin, a former schoolteacher who is now a popular historian who lectures on television, is permanently confined to a wheelchair. Now involved in politics, he is shown cynically advising other politicians. He then briefly recalls his days as a teacher, leading to a flashback to a boys’ school in the 1980s.

Hector—fiftyish, eccentric, and a successful longtime teacher—is shown entering his classroom of senior boys. His relationship with his students is mutually playful. Here and later, the boys often seem to jump forward in time and address the audience directly, as if remembering and explaining their time with Hector and with each other.

The school’s headmaster credits the boys’ recent success on exams to another teacher, Mrs. Dorothy Lintott. He hopes they will qualify for admission to Oxford or Cambridge, but he thinks they need proper grooming. He hires Irwin, who is roughly twenty-five years old—little older than the boys themselves—to polish and prepare them to pass exams that might get them admitted to the best universities. The headmaster thinks that Hector, although a passionate, committed teacher, lacks proper focus.

Hector’s lively teaching style appeals to the boys, but they are less enthusiastic about the ritual that ends each school day: Hector offers any boy he finds attractive a ride home on his motorcycle, using this as an excuse to fondle the chosen boy. The boys accept these rides, but only reluctantly.

The boys’ relations with Irwin are testy at first, but they eventually respond to his coaching, which emphasizes the need to not merely master information but present it vividly and unconventionally. Meanwhile, Hector and the blunt-spoken Dorothy share similar values and a real, if unconventional, friendship. Their conversations are often humorously frank, as are the conversations among the boys and the boys’ interactions with Irwin. At one point, for instance, Dakin comically compares his secret seduction of Fiona, the headmaster’s secretary, to the movements of troops on a battlefield.

Hector’s classes involve allusions to old films, performances of once-popular songs, and an emphasis on emotional commitment to learning for its own sake. Conversely, Irwin’s classes stress the boys’ need to present themselves effectively if they hope to succeed. Yet Irwin talks gently with Posner about Posner’s attraction to the handsome Dakin, and Posner has noticed that Irwin seems attracted to Dakin as well. The self-confident Dakin, meanwhile, frankly questions Scripps about the latter’s interest in religious belief. Here and elsewhere, the boys reveal their cleverness, intelligence, and friendships. Dorothy also talks frankly, this time with Irwin about both Hector and the boys.

Abruptly, the headmaster summons Hector, who is married, and reports that Hector has been seen fondling boys on his motorcycle. The headmaster insists that Hector must very shortly retire. Before leaving for the day, however, Hector demonstrates, while tutoring Posner, his real effectiveness as a teacher.

Act 2 opens years later, as Irwin is filming a history program for television. During a break, a man tries to talk with him. The man, it turns out, is Posner, who is writing a memoir about his school days and wants to talk about Irwin’s attraction to Dakin. Irwin denies that anything happened between them but does agree to sign a copy of one of his books for Posner.

Back in the past again, the boys playfully tease Hector, but Hector, losing his temper, breaks down and cries. The boys are unsure how to react, but eventually Hector regains his composure and playfulness resumes. Later, Mrs. Lintott and the headmaster discuss Hector as a teacher and person. The headmaster reveals Hector’s inappropriate behavior and his imminent retirement. After the headmaster leaves, Mrs. Lintott expresses her contempt for him.

Hector and Irwin are shown teaching a class together. Their different approaches are obvious, and although the boys seem to prefer Hector’s commitment to substance over style, Dakin finds himself increasingly attracted to Irwin, even though Dakin is now fully involved sexually with Fiona. Later, Hector, Irwin, and Mrs. Lintott test the boys’ knowledge and polish by quizzing them. Later still, Dakin tries to talk with Irwin about his growing interest in his young teacher, but Irwin avoids the subject. Even later, Hector warns Irwin, from experience, about becoming too closely involved with students.

Ultimately, all the boys are admitted to Oxford. Everyone is pleased, especially the headmaster. Dakin, grateful for Irwin’s coaching, proposes that they have a sexual encounter. Irwin is initially cautious but soon agrees to set a date. Dakin also tells Scripps that by blackmailing the headmaster (who has himself been cheating with Fiona), he has preserved Hector’s job. Dakin is so generally happy that he even hugs Posner and agrees to ride on Hector’s motorcycle again. The headmaster, however, stops him from doing so, suggesting that Irwin should go instead. The two teachers ride off together.

It is later revealed that the motorcycle carrying Hector and Irwin crashed, killing the former and injuring the latter. Irwin is confined to a wheelchair as a result. He and Dakin never had sex because Dakin disliked the wheelchair. As the play closes, various characters fondly remember Hector. The later fate of each boy is revealed. Mrs. Lintott’s summary comments about them and Irwin are often sarcastic. She is more sympathetic, however, when disclosing the fate of Posner, who is now isolated and suffers from mental problems. In the play’s closing lines, Hector speaks briefly from beyond the grave about his philosophy of education.

Bibliography

Bennett, Alan, and Nicholas Hytner. "The Truth behind the History Boys." Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 21 June 2004. Web. 30 June 2014.

Billington, Michael. "Top of the Class." Rev. of The History Boys, by Alan Bennett. Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 28 May 2004. Web. 26 June 2014.

Gardner, Elysa. "‘The History Boys’ Is a Study in Human Virtues and Flaws." Rev. of The History Boys, by Alan Bennett. USA Today 26 Apr. 2006: 4D. Print.

Shewey, Don. "Groping toward Enlightenment." Rev. of The History Boys, by Alan Bennett. Advocate 6 June 2006: 56. Print.