Exam- theme: sexuality Flashcards
Topic sentences
Bennett perceivably presents Hector’s classroom as an environment in which gender and sexuality are more fluid than the outside world.
Bennett uses allusion to influential literary figures to convey shared suffering between the characters as a result of society’s homophobic views.
Bennett uses a discussion between Irwin and Posner to demonstrate the issues with 1980’s Britain’s approach to the education of sex and sexuality.
Boys within the play view sex and sexuality as a way to gain status in society and maintain a desired identity.
Hector’s vision of sex and knowledge has grave shortcomings, however, the Drummer Hodge scene reveals the power of poetry in reaching out to two characters and bringing them together through shared experiences.
Bennett pertains to the stereotypes circulating in 1980’s Britain, through characterisation and dialogue.
Bennett perceivably presents Hector’s classroom as an environment in which gender and sexuality are more fluid than the outside world.
Quotations
“Hector:”A.E Housman, sir.” Timms:” Wasn’t he a Nancy, sir?”…(Hits him on the head with an exercise book)””
“Vous n’etes pas un homme. Vous etes un soldat…un soldat blesse; vous comprenez, cher monsieur le Directeur …soldat blesse?”
“Voila votre lit et voici votre prostituee”- “Here is you bed and here is you prostitute”
Bennett uses allusion to influential literary figures to convey shared suffering between the characters as a result of society’s homophobic views.
Quotations
“ There’s some corner of a foreign field…in that rich earth or richer dust concealed…” Rupert Brooke/ Posner
Philippe Larkin “Never such innocence twice” Allusion
Boys within the play view sex and sexuality as a way to gain status in society and maintain a desired identity.
Quotations
“Dakin:” Rudge is having sex, apparently.”….Dakin:” Currently I am seeing Fiona, the Headmaster’s secretary… we haven’t done it yet, but when we do I’m hoping one of the times might be on his study floor.”
“Like particularly her tits, which only fell after prolonged campaign some three weeks ago and to which I now have immediate access and which were indeed the start line for last night’s abortive thrust southwards”
“Irwin:” You’ll be happy anyway.” Dakin “I’m not sure I like that. Why?”… “Uncomplicated is that what you mean? Outgoing? Straight?”
Bennett uses a discussion between Irwin and Posner to demonstrate the issues with 1980’s Britain’s approach to the education of sex and sexuality.
Quotations
“Irwin:” Posner came to me yesterday. He has a problem”
“Posner: “Sir I think I may be homosexual””
Bennett pertains to the stereotypes circulating in 1980’s Britain, through characterisation and dialogue.
Quotations
“At school, they taught me how to be So pure in thought and word and dead … everything I long to do …It’s a, it’s a, it’s a, its a sin, its a sin”
Hector’s vision of sex and knowledge has grave shortcomings, however, the Drummer Hodge scene reveals the power of poetry in reaching out to two characters and bringing them together through shared experiences.
quotations
“Posner: “Drummer Hodge Sir. Hardy”
“Un-kissed, un-rejoicing. Un-confessed. Un- embraced…unspent. Un- finger marked. And with both it brings a sense of not sharing, of being out of it” Posner:” Yes sir, I felt that a bit””
Context
Everything that the singer wanted to do or actually had done during his youth somehow drew the ire of the church. People are made to feel deep shame because of unrealistic and oppressive moral standards.
The introduction of Section 28. 1987 - In her speech to the party faithful, Margaret Thatcher remarked “Children who need to be taught to respect traditional moral values are being taught that they have an inalienable right to be gay”.Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988, stated that local government “shall not intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality” or “promote the teaching in state schools of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship”.
Brooke
Brooke had travelled written, fallen in and out of love, joined great literary movements and recovered from mental collapse all before the declaration of the war.
Brooker felt trapped by the double standards of society and could not live out his hidden desires without guilt, he came to reject Bloomsbury (The Bloomsbury magic circle who prided themselves on their freedom from conventions) out of shame and to seek purification through death in war. Sexual confusion drove him to a nervous breakdown in 1912,
More context
Before the Sexual Offences Act of 1967, male homosexuality had been illegal. One hundred years earlier it had been a capital offence. The first round of the British Social Attitudes survey took place in 1983, a point at which there was intense media scrutiny of what was then a new and frightening disease; acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). In 1982, Terrence Higgins became one of the first UK fatalities and the years that followed saw frequent (and often incorrect) scares about how the HIV virus could be transmitted a frequent distinction as well being made between those who were ‘innocent’ victims
