Comparing Irwin and Hector's views on Education

In the play “The History Boys” Allan Bennet makes the audience consider the contrast between the teaching styles of Irwin and Hector, Hector, is an entirely different person from Irwin, playful, rule breaking, he appears at first to be a lively and rule breaking and his personality is revealed through his views on education however on the other hand Hector is the opposite to Irwin because Irwin is more serious and he is more strict with the boy.

Hector in the play is seen to be a unique type of teacher who doesn’t follow what he is told to teach by the curriculum. He believes that “all knowledge is important” Allan Bennett makes it clear to the reader that this is what Hector aims to do in his classroom, Hectors’ classroom is often chaotic and very much enjoyable yet effective considering Hectors objectives to teach the boys about life and give them a broader education and understanding about life. However Hector doesn’t focus on teaching the boys History so from this I can infer that he feels that focusing on knowledge is more important than focusing on the one subject he is meant to be teaching.

The character of Irwin however is presented by Bennett as a teacher who is very focused on the objective given to him by the Headmaster, Irwin’s teaching style however is a more traditional one, and Allan Bennet creates this feeling to the reader when Irwin is handing out exercise book “Dull. Abysmally Dull” when referring to the boys work, this is another difference between teaching styles of the two characters as in the first instances in the classroom of Irwin and the boys, the boys get disapproval from their teacher which they aren’t used to whereas in the first instance with Hector the boys received cong.ratulations “felicitations to you all” Hector embracing the boys which differs from Irwin’s teaching style. Irwin also proves himself to the boys, Dakin especially “useful not like Hector’s lessons.” Dakin says this in realisation that Irwin is actually helping him more than Hector is in preparation for the Oxbridge exam, this shows that Irwin’s views on education is that it is that it is important and it’s useful and important for examinations.