The History Boys Themes

Themes in the history boys

History

•  “How do I define history? It’s just one ******* thing after another” – Rudge
• “a commentary on the various and continuing incapabilities of men” - Mrs L
• “I just wonder if it occurs to any of you how dispiriting this can be” – Mrs L
• “...this is history. Distance yourselves. Our perspective on the past alters” - Irwin
• “Subjunctive history... the mood used when something may or may not have happened. When it is imagined” - Dakin
• “History nowadays is not a matter of conviction. It’s a performance” - Irwin

Education

• “Turning facts on their head. It’s like a game” – Dakin
• “Presentation might be the word”- Headmaster
• “They are bright, brighter then last year’s. But that’s not enough apparently” – Mrs L

Irwin

• “... not a matter of conviction. It’s a performance... and if it isn’t, make it so”
• Education isn’t something for when they’re old and grey... it is for now”
• “truth is no more at issue in an examination then thirst at a wine tasting”
• “I sympathise with your feelings about examinations by they are a fact  of life” 

Hector

• …