I've been looking at the theory recently, and it's quite a big head. I wanted to find a few movies to relax my nerves, but I ran into an old friend again. Originally, it was a pleasant surprise to meet old friends, but this time, revisiting "History Boys" made me think no less than a "one-dimensional person". However, it is still very rewarding, and I would like to share it with you here.
I have to say, this is a pretty awesome movie. Without the innovative narrative structure of Pulp Fiction, without the refined graphics of Pride and Prejudice, or even the big-name stars we know of, it's certainly pretty exciting. The outside world defines it as "comedy" (weird, I have watched it many times, and I don't think there is anything funny. Is it the meaning of "comedy" in Dante's "sacred comedy"?) But I read it from the inside Found a lot of interesting stuff: educational issues, homosexuality, views on history, views on literature, human self-esteem and lies.
I watched some movies about educational issues. For example, "Spring in the Cattle Class", "Dead Poets Society", "Mona Lisa's Smile" and so on. In terms of fame, "The History Boy" is definitely not as good as the previous ones. At least no one around me has recommended this movie to me, and few people have mentioned it on the Internet. However, in terms of profundity, it is not as thrilling as "Dead Poets Society", which ended with a death struggle; in terms of plot, it is not as warm and touching as "Spring in the Cattle Class"; in terms of background, it is not as good as "Mona Lisa's Smile" There is support for the American feminist movement. But if I had to choose one movie recommendation, I would choose it. Because it expresses the state of students under the test-oriented education system from a very common but always revealing unique flashing angle. Leaving aside the examination-taking system that is usually criticized by educational films, this film does not simply negate the examination system, but instead shows the positive atmosphere of the eight boys in the process of preparing for the entrance examination. There are indeed piles of books, but they are borrowed from the library by themselves. There is indeed pressure to go to school, but it is the boy's own ideal that shines. Knowledge will never be closed to anyone who desires it because of the educational system. (Reflection) However, here the film still presents us with a major contradiction: Should literature, music, performance, these things that enrich life, give way to exams? Or how to better serve the exam? I see it as a contradiction between ideal and reality. The fat teacher Hector believes that life should be colorful and happy, even if there is no way to get into Oxbridge; the new teacher Irwin uses literature, music and performances that can enrich life as a means of examination. He just used poetry as the end of his essay to get people's attention. He would like boys to learn new knowledge, but this is only as a means of examination. To realize your ideal, first use it to polish your shoes for reality.
In addition, there is one more question worth exploring about Irwin's educational philosophy. In fact, this is similar to the phenomenon that the topic selection of the thesis mentioned in Professor Mo Lifeng's speech is deteriorating. It's just not because there is no choice, but because it is unconventional, it begins to think about historical issues from some very remote angles. In defense of Auschwitz? Was Stalin a good man? This is equivalent to someone who said a few years ago that Yue Fei was a criminal who hindered the reunification of the country, and wanted Wang Jingwei to be rehabilitated. It is true that switching angles can improve our speculativeness and spark our thinking. However, as the characters in the film say: "If it can be understood, it can be explained, and if it can be explained, it can be excused." Therefore, historical facts are always historical facts. Here, we should be alert: don't write articles like "Li Bai, a Third-Rate Poet" in order to attract attention.
What makes this movie unique is to a large extent that it puts the issue of homosexuality into the campus, between teachers and students, between students and students. Recently, I watched several gay movies in succession, such as "Brokeback Mountain" and "Farewell My Concubine". However, they are all too intense. In addition to being embarrassing, it also creates a feeling of being at a distance. The "History Boys" deal with this is very clever and meaningful. Teacher Hector slaps the boys in the back seat of the motorcycle every day, Dakin's seduction to Irwin, and Posner's obsession with Darkin. All these make people not feel disgusting, but will appear energetic and pure because of the characters' happy performances. But that doesn't hide the depth of the movie. Homosexuality wasn't added to the movie as a spice. It occupies a very important position. Because in homosexuality, it mixes the teacher-student relationship. As a teacher, can I express my sexuality and love for my students in this way? Teacher Hector's approach is a comparison with Posner, who later became a teacher. Posner resisted his desire. And he calls it the reason he can be a good teacher. Wouldn't it be better to give up the catharsis of desire, even a little catharsis, and express your love for students as a teacher with purer emotions? I would say yes. What's different from this homosexual relationship is Drkin's seduction of Irwin. I'd rather see it as an attempt at conquest by an adventurous, ambitious boy than lead him to a more shady way of exploiting other people's self-esteem for his own ends. Finally, regarding homosexuality, I just want to apply Cisevobova's famous definition of women: homosexuality is not born, but acquired.
Aside from education and homosexuality, I want to talk about Irwin, a fake Oxford graduate. It can be seen that his knowledge is also very extensive, but he does not have the open-mindedness and the courage to face up to himself like Mr. Hector. When he was exposed by the students, I think his self-esteem should have taken a huge blow. I feel sympathy for him for his indecision and refusal to take off his glasses. But after Drkin's prodding and Hector's death, he was reborn. It should be said that people's self-esteem needs to be maintained, even if it is a lie. When you suddenly find out that your friend beside you lied to you one day, and this is for his self-esteem, please don't expose him. (If he has a strong heart, you can try) Because it's too cruel.
"History Boys" I watched when I was a freshman in high school, but I didn't feel it at the time. Revisiting it now has a different experience. I always felt that the ending of the movie was a bit of a hasty tragic ending. It was really unbearable for Teacher Hector to die like this. But now I found out that this ending should be a comedy ending. For Hector, who is innocent and full of poetic fantasies about life, heaven is also his best destination. Perhaps this is the biggest reason why this excellent comedy is a comedy.
"Inheritance, that's sometimes the only thing you can do. Accept him, feel him, and pass it on."
—To you who want to be a teacher
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