Analysis Of Alan Bennett 's ' The History Boys '
Discuss in detail Bennett's dramatic techniques from page 70 "boys come in" to "the bell goes" on page 74 and consider how this passage might be viewed as a significant and dramatic moment in the History Boys.
In Alan Bennett's, The History Boys, the Holocaust Scene is vital to the development of drama in the play. Bennett uses the conflict in this scene to develop the significance of inter–character relationships. It is a significant moment because it forms a climax to the antagonism between Hector and Irwin, influencing the boys to take sides, and it is dramatic because of the uncomfortable and impermissible topic chosen.
The downfall of Hector has a striking impact upon the audience. The last time Hector and the boys were on stage, ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...This scene is also significant for how it challenges Irwin 's revisionist approach to history. In approaching the holocaust topic, Irwin suggests that it is a "question of tone (and) tact"(P71), which Hector contradicts saying, "not tact, decorum"(p71). This questions when studying the holocaust, should you be tactful, like Irwin believes; or whether there should be an objective standard towards the common decency of the discussion. Irwin's use of the meretricious is also called into question when Scripps comments "what's truth got to do with it"(p72). The by applying the meretricious to the holocaust, Irwin takes the step to considering it as no real or historical value. Furthermore, his inclusion of "for a start"(p73) suggests there are other concerns beside values and truth, therefore, untruthfulness is not by itself enough to discredit a historical view. Irwin's revisionist approach relies on intriguing opinions riddled with falsity, over the monotonous truth. Irrelevant facts in exams matters more to Irwin than the fact that it is untrue, which is implied when he explains he "doesn't think" its "true for a start"(p73), which is only stated because he has already called truth "inexpediant"(p73). In addition, his inconclusive objection to Dakins near Holocaust denial as "...inexpedient"(p73), features his lack of compassion through his revisionist approach. In light of this opinion that the "death camps" have to be seen in "context of
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