Download The History Boys

The History Boys: An
Introduction
Alan Bennett
The AS level: Where does it
fit?
Paper 2 (Drama and Prose post-1900): 1 hour 45
-
One question on The History Boys (30 marks)
-
One question on The Bloody Chamber (30 marks)
-
Spend about 50-55 minutes on each.
The A level:
Coursework pieces on ‘Coming of Age’ using The History
Boys, Ariel and The Go Between.
What is assessed?
AO1 (30%): Understanding of text and question; well structured,
coherent and detailed argument. Fluent/ accurate written expression.
AO2 (20%): Discussion of effects (including dramatic effects) of
language, form and structure. Use of quotations and analytical methods
to address these quotations critically.
AO3 (30%): Developed and detailed understanding of the significance
and influence in which the text has been written and received.
AO5 (20%): Judgement informed by an exploration of different
interpretations of the text.
Example questions (you get a
choice of two and choose one):
1. ‘The History Boys demonstrates the power and value of
education.’
How far and in what ways do you agree with this view?
2. ‘A damaged individual who makes an inspiring leader.’
In the light of this comment, discuss the role of Hector in
The History Boys.
Alan Bennett
Use your iPad to read the Wikipedia page on Bennett
and make notes on anything you think is relevant:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Bennett
Homework: watch Theatre Talk: Alan Bennett on ‘The
History Boys’ (youtube) and make notes.
Extension work: Read other articles about/ by Bennett
and make notes, for example,
fromhttp://www.theguardian.com/stage/alanbennett
AO3: Context
The Play:
The History Boys was first performed at The National Theatre
(The Royal National Theatre) in May 2004.
It won many awards, including The Tony Award for Best Play
and The Lawrence Olivier Awards for Best Play.
It is set in Sheffield in the early 1980s and follows a group of
A level History students (all boys) preparing for the Oxbridge
entrance examinations under the influence of three teachers.
Taking it further…
Read ‘A Note on the First Production’ (in the
book); make notes on the details of the stagelayout and how the staging is achieved.
What do you think the theatrical effects are?
Extension: If you have seen the film, you could
compare the two.
AO2: Analysis of form
AO3: Theatrical context
AO5: Theatrical interpretations
AO2: Analysis of
language, form and
structure
The Title
What does the title The History Boys suggest
about the themes/ ideas in the play?
How do you respond to this as a 21st century
female?
The History Boys
• Why are they studying history?
• In what ways might they be ‘history boys’?
• In what other ways might history be an important
theme/ idea?
• Why do you think Bennett chose
to set this in an all boys’
environment?
• What does it tell us about
history/ academia that these are
all male characters?
• How do you respond to the
almost-all male cast?
‘The History Boys therefore moves far beyond the initially
restrictive time and space in which it is set to bind together
influences from across the 20th century and before. This goes
some way to explain the title itself; the boys, through their
teachers and education, are moving into their future with
history having become a fundamental part of their characters,
personalities and lives.’
James Middleditch
‘The play, as the title suggests, is concerned with definitions and
examples of history, who makes it, how it is defined etc.’
Laramie Dean Carlsen
AO5: Different
interpretations