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Mrs. Lintott
At one point in the play, Posner describes himself this way: “I’m a Jew. I’m small. I’m a homosexual. And I live in Sheffield. I’m fucked.” Posner’s journey towards discovering his sexuality figures largely in the play. He feels attracted to Dakin, and doesn’t know what to make of those feelings. His Jewish background also comes up, especially in the scene where the boys discuss the Holocaust with Hector and Irwin. Posner argues passionately that the Holocaust cannot be treated like just any historical event. At his Oxford interview, however, he downplays the Holocaust, and is praised for his “detachment.” He receives a scholarship to Oxford, but eventually leaves the school, telling Irwin years later that it “didn't work out.” In Mrs. Lintott’s review of the boys’ lives, we learn that Posner has few friends and spends a lot of time at the library. He has, however, taken Hector’s teaching to heart, and this may give him some internal solace. Among the boys, Posner stands out as sensitive and scholarly.
Posner Quotes in The History Boys
The The History Boys quotes below are all either spoken by Posner or refer to Posner. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Act 1
Quotes
Dakin’s navel, I remember, was small and hard like an unripe blackberry. Posner’s navel was softer and more like that of the eponymous orange. Posner envied Dakin his navel and all the rest of him. That this envy might amount to love does not yet occur to Posner, as to date it has only caused him misery and dissatisfaction.
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I’m a Jew.
I’m small.
I’m homosexual.
And I live in Sheffield.
I’m fucked.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
The best moments in reading are when you come across something — a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things — which you had thought special and particular to you. Now here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out and taken yours.
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Posner Quotes in The History Boys
The The History Boys quotes below are all either spoken by Posner or refer to Posner. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Act 1
Quotes
Dakin’s navel, I remember, was small and hard like an unripe blackberry. Posner’s navel was softer and more like that of the eponymous orange. Posner envied Dakin his navel and all the rest of him. That this envy might amount to love does not yet occur to Posner, as to date it has only caused him misery and dissatisfaction.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
I’m a Jew.
I’m small.
I’m homosexual.
And I live in Sheffield.
I’m fucked.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
The best moments in reading are when you come across something — a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things — which you had thought special and particular to you. Now here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out and taken yours.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
