Archives for June 17, 2013

Alan Bennett discusses The History Boys on Theater Talk:

(This is the latest in a series of arts-related videos that appear in this space each Monday and Wednesday.)

“Because, sir, teaching young gentlemen has a dismal effect upon the soul. It exemplifies the badness of established, artificial authority. The pedagogue has almost absolute authority over his pupils: he often beats them and insensibly he loses the sense of respect due to them as fellow human beings. He does them harm, but the harm they do to him is greater. He may easily become the all-knowing tyrant, always right, always virtuous; in any event he perpetually associates with his inferiors, the king of his company; and in a surprisingly short time alas this brands him with the mark of Cain.”
Patrick O’Brian, The Ionian Mission