History (different views/representations)

Question 1

“How do I define history? It’s just one fucking thing after another.”

Answer 1

Rudge, p.85

expletive shows rudge’s background (working class) and bennett’s views on history

Question 2

“History is a commentary on the various and continuing incapabilities of men.”

Answer 2

Mrs Lintott, p.85

adverb ‘continuing’ suggests men haven’t learned from the past - also declarative and blunt - it’s a fact

Question 3

“History is women following behind with the bucket.”

Answer 3

Mrs Lintott, p.85

preposition ‘behind’ shows women’s place throughout history, seemingly never at the forefront
noun ‘bucket’ makes cleaning reference; suggests inferiority

Question 4

“But to put something in context is a step towards saying it can be understood and that it can be explained. And if it can be explained then it can be explained away.”

Answer 4

Posner, p.74

Question 5

“But this is history. Distance yourselves. Our perspective on the past alters.”

Answer 5

Irwin, p.74

imperative ‘distance yourselves’ suggests he wants a lack of objectivity - prefers subjunctive

Question 6

“It’s subjunctive history. The mood used when something may or may not have happened. When it is imagined.”

Answer 6

Dakin, p.90

idea of ‘what if’
using knowledge from hector - “hector is crazy about the subjunctive” p.91

Question 7

“History nowadays is not a matter of conviction. It’s a performance. It’s entertainment. And if it isn’t, make it so.”

Answer 7

Irwin, p.35

suggesting history is not about points of view - quote can be used in relation to irwin’s historical anecdote about monastic toilets (p.58, start of act 2)
wants the boys to embellish history, dress it up etc.

Question 8

“History’s not such a frolic for women as it is for men. Why should it be? They never get round the conference table.”

Answer 8

Mrs Lintott, p.84

interrogative ‘why should it be?’ rhetorical, but also discreetly challenging the boys
‘never get round the conference table’ used as metaphor - women don’t get a say

Question 9

“Story-telling, so much of it, which is what men do naturally.”

Answer 9

Mrs Lintott, p.22

history is covering up, lying, fabrications
referring to history as ‘story-telling’ links to irwin’s view that history should be entertaining and captivating
passive aggressively referring to her own ex-husband who “told stories” and “legged it to dumfries”

Question 10

“…having taught you all history on a strictly non-gender orientated basis I just wonder if it occurs to any of you how dispiriting it can be?”

Answer 10

Mrs Lintott, p.83

said after reminding the boys that one of the dons who interviews them may be a woman

Question 11

“Etcetera is what the Nazis would have said, the dead reduced to a mere verbal abbreviation.”

Answer 11

Hector, p.73

said in response to lockwood
hector, unlike irwin, has a more objective outlook on history