In this extract, Posner goes to Hector to recite the poem 'Drummer Hodge' by Thomas Hardy. This particular scene is full of ironic melancholy as the audience have just witnessed Hector being berated by the headmaster for molesting the boys.
Hector begins the private lesson with Posner with an interrogative 'any thoughts?', setting the agenda in order to tell the audience what is happening. This is the most professional Hector has been throughout the play as he often uses taboo language, as he does at the beginning of this extract: 'pornography', and discusses inappropriate subjects which defile the student-teacher relationship he should have with his students. In this extract, he 'sheds' this persona that he puts on with the dramatic lexis he uses in order to use the interrogative to open up an avenue of discussion with Posner so that he too, in turn, can open up and form an emotional connection with his student.
Bennett employs the use of the agenda setting technique again when Hector asks Posner 'what we have learned this week?', showing that there is an asymmetrical power dynamic in their relationship. This shows that Hector is again doing his job as a teacher rather than being inappropriate, which allows the audience to see Hector as a more three dimensional character because he is showing a more sensible but vulnerable side to his personality. This is because he often uses a persona to perhaps protect himself as he is seemingly lonely in his old age, hence why he clings to literature and what it can teach the boys. The establishing of the asymmetrical power dynamic allows the audience, and Posner, to see Hector as a teacher instead of another one of the boys because he is more mature.
Some good insight here and a couple of good terms - include more by using the key quote you have chosen. Look at how "what have we learned this week?" is an interrogative using the first person plural "we learned", a technique from the teacher's lexicon that signals a professional approach where the teacher and student are considered inclusively as part of the learning process - it could also suggest to the audience a re-consideration of what Hector has learned (to be professional) since he has been reprimanded.
ReplyDeleteCan you see how to use quotes a little more fully to create a clear connection between the techniques in the quote and how meaning is made? Also work on planning to ensure you get the farthest distance in the fewest words and that paragraphs hit the criteria of being 'well-organised'.