Hector quotes analysed

Question 1

Hector getting the boys’ trust and referencing the Bible.

Answer 1

-“I am your teacher. Whatever I do in this room is a token of my trust…thou and thy seed may live’.” (page 6)

• Hector talks about secrets in this quote, alluding to his motorcycle riders with the boys.
• The quote ‘ bread eaten in secret’ (from Proverbs 9:17) and ‘I have put…may live’ (Deuteronomy 30:19) are biblical quotes, further reinforcing his beliefs in memorising quotes. Furthermore, Hector could be addressing Scripps here as he is the most religious of the boys, and is the one he is caught fondling.

Question 2

Hector’s attitude to knowledge Vs Irwin’s attitude to knowledge

Answer 2

-“every answer a Christmas tree hung with the appropriate gobbets…defiled by being trotted out to order.” (page 48)

-Hector, unlike Irwin, doesn’t think that information should be learned so that it can be framed to please an examiner, he thinks that just learning the information is enough

Question 3

Hector’s connection with literature

Answer 3

“The best moments in reading are…a hand has come out and taken yours.” (page 56)

• Hector like to form a personal connection with literature
• He wants students to remember him and what he taught them after they finish school
• The use of the word ‘hand’ alludes to Hector’s inappropriate relationship with the boys as his teaching is emotional to the point of being erotic

Question 4

Hector after getting caught touching the boys

Answer 4

• “’The words of Mercury are harsh after the songs of Apollo. You that way, we this way.’” (page 57)
• a quotation from Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost which is about 2 men who swear off women for 3 years, the play draws on themes of masculine love and desire and reality versus fantasy. Said in the context of Hector refusing to ride with Dakin since he got accused of touching the boys by Felix. This quotation touches on sexual desire and swearing off something that once gave him pleasure.

Question 5

Hector’s response to Felix catching him touching the boys

Answer 5

“The transmission of knowledge is in itself an erotic act.” (page 53)

• Repeats the idea that Hectors teaching is emotional to the point of being erotic
• Hector doesn’t see the issue with his teaching

Question 6

Hector is old fashioned in his teaching style

Answer 6

“Shall I tell you what is wrong with Hector as a teacher? … in the current educational climate that is no use” (page 67) (headmaster)

• Hector refuses to conform to the new education rules
• The headmaster only cares about results
• Hectors teaching style is outdated