The History Boys: Characters

• Written by Alan Bennett, premièred in 2004
• Set in a grammar school in the north of England in the 1980s
• Centres around 8 sixth form boys applying to Oxford and the 3 teachers and headmaster of the school who are trying to get them there
• In the 1980s, students had to stay at school for an extra term in order to sit an exam that would enable them to go to Oxbridge

Posner:  Quiet Jewish boy. Likes reading, singing, in love with Dakin. Thinks that if he gets into Oxford, Dakin will love him.

Dakin:  Attractive and knows it. Both Posner and Irwin (young supply teacher) are in love with him but Dakin only has eyes for the headmaster's secretary, Fiona. However, he enjoys the control he has over Irwin and doesn't want to be embarrassed in front of him.

Scripps: Christian, very focussed on his faith. Budding writer, records events in his notebooks. Posner confides in him. Priest-like qualities. Non-judgemental. Similar to Bennett as Bennett was also very religious when he was young and considered taking Holy Orders. 

Rudge: Rugby player. Likes things to be simple and straight forward. Doesn't want to be liked for something he isn't. Very authentic, is only ever himself without apology, 

Akthar: Muslim. Happy to be involved in the boys' testing of Irwin. Knuckles down when he needs to.

Crowther: Keen actor, Friends with Lockwood.

Timms: The Joker, Hector hits him frequently, enjoys teasing Irwin and everyone else. Comes across as being confident. 

Lockwood: Shrewd film buff. Interested in politics.

Headmaster: Only focussed on results, getting students into Oxbridge, not very caring or compassionate. Quite leery towards Fiona and other women, sees the arts as a waste of time, motivated by his own ego. Quite inauthentic e.g.. swearing.

Mrs Lintott: History teacher. Only teaches to get kids through exams but they do brilliant. Doesn't allow emotions to be involved with her teaching. Often overlook as she is a woman working in a boys' school. Opposite to Hector in many ways. e.g.. methods of teaching

Irwin:  Young history teacher, innovative approach to education. Employed to get students into Oxbridge. Wants students to have a unique spark as well as an excellent education. Crush on Dakin, although conceals it well. 

Hector: Eccentric but well established teacher. Close to retirement. Doesn't teach to an exam. Very inspiring, kids adore him, he doesn't follow the rules. 'Know knowledge just because you can', liberal attitude. Is quite inappropriate with students and tries to use history to absolve himself. Relates to Thomas Hardy: heavy sense of gloom and destiny. 

Notes

• No competition between the friends- they all want each other to do well. 
• Contrast between the teachers' teaching methods and approach to education
• Teachers as humans: 'The hardest thing for a student to understand is that teachers are human beings too. The hardest thing for a teacher to understand is not to let the students know this.' 
• The motif of ruins and ruination are associated with Irwin e.g. abbey, physical appearance at beginning of play
• Posner and Hector are linked by their feeling of not fitting in and confusion
• Headmaster has utilitarian views- nothing is important unless it's useful (Hector)
• Bennett uses character to represent different views on education
• Irwin 'trains' the boys to be liars-possible representation of adult life
• Subjunctive is used a lot: what if/could/might