Oh well, my jokes are lame so I will stick to the homework...
In Oranges, there is reference to Jane Eyre, a novel that Jeanette’s mother enjoys, possibly because it reminds her of an old admirer. She changes the story when reading it to Jeanette though in that the loss of innocence doesn’t occur as it does in the novel. Jeanette’s mother seems to be protecting Jeanette from herself as she fears that she might follow in the footsteps of herself or Jane Eyre. Her personal experience with Pierre when she was coming of age and her being a strict Christian gives the impression that she doesn’t want her daughter to fall in love with a Byronic character like both her and Jane Eyre had. Therefore, the literary allusion is used to prevent a regretful coming of age, from innocence to experience.
In History Boys, Dakin has no such guidance when losing innocence, no father figure. He talks about his experiences with Fiona as a ‘thrust southwards’ showing his eagerness to come of age in his eyes and those of the boys, and to gain experience. The way he describes his experience as ‘moving up to the front-line troops’ is though he is talking about a battle. There is reference to Passchendaele, a battle during WW1. In the same way the British soldiers never made a decisive breakthrough, neither does Dakin on his mission to achieve the ‘big push’. The literary allusion of Passchendaele is used to describe his experience and ambition to come of age by losing his virginity.
Frankie i am afraid i do not like your joke it took me 10 mins to get it and about 15 to get sirs. There is something seriously wrong with me. But anyway the homework.
In Oranges, literacy allusions are used throughout to show the coming of age. Biblical allusions particulary are used and the chapters are all named after the chapters of the Old Testament. The Old Testament shows the journey of the people of Isreal and their struggle to become themselves. Jeanettte also has this and the context of each chapter follows tthe chapters of the Old Testament in all except one in Deutronomy. In the Old Testament this chapter is used to state the biblical laws put across by Moses. However Jeanette is almost the opposite and her sermon questions law. The use of this emphasises how Jeanette has changed and thinks for herself away from her religion unlike when she was younger.
In History Boys literacy allusions are also used in similar and different ways. One is shown when Dakin is talking about Frederick Kneeshaw. Dakin reads this to impress Irwin and talks to him about it. This shows that he has developed a admiration of Irwin that he had not before. He wants to get to know him and will worry about being wrong in front of him. It shows that Dakin has new feelings and that he does not know how to behave like many going through the phase of innocence to experience.
Two peanuts walked into a bar, and one was a-salted. A* joke i think.
In The History Boys the allusion of Posner singing 'Bewitched' isnt similar to jenette finding out about the 'Jane arye' book in Oranges, however both allusions show the theme of coming of age. Posner, being a boy, is in love with the other by Dakin. Posner sings 'Bewitched' which is a love song, traditionally sang by women. Posner being 'in love' with Dakin shows how he is coming of age but furthermore, being he is in love with a boy, showing he is gay which is a much more grown up thing to do. Also because he is Jewish it adds the pressure not to be gay, but he is anyways, showing his courage which shows more coming of age. In oranges jennettes mother changed the end of the story 'Jane Eyre' so that in the story jane marries St.John which was what her mother wanted to happen. when jennette reads the book herself she finds out her mother lied because it wasn’t who she wanted jennette to see the world. This suggest jenettes coming of age because it takes away some of her innocent and makes her less naive because of her lieing mother who she trusted. When Jenette finds out about this she compares it to finding out about her being adoption papers. This shows then link between the two of jenettes innocent being taken away, realise the world isn’t perfect, which most children believe.
I'm going to have to post my homework in two parts becaust the blog can't handle it ... By the way, I warn and apologise in advance ... My homework is awful ...
Within both texts literary allusions are used to show how coming of age can pose difficulties which must be faced by all individuals. Within ‘Oranges…’ ‘Jane Eyre’ is used to exemplify the theme of coming of age, and perhaps mirrors in some aspects the problems that Jeanette faces with society. Whilst growing up Jane Eyre faces many troubles in trying to fit in, and due to being different to the rest of her family in terms of class, is often excluded by her aunt and her cousins and struggles to find her place to fit into, similar to that of Jeanette, who struggles to fit in and find her place at school, and is often excluded, overlooked and teased by both the teacher and the other pupils. Furthermore, as the book progresses Jane finds herself becoming a respectable young lady and falls in love, however, much like Jeanette, it happens somewhat unexpectedly and falls for someone she should not in terms of what society sees ‘right’. Jane falls for her boss, Mr Rochester, as Jeanette does for Melanie, and after time they grow close and even progress to marriage. However, Jane discovers that Mr Rochester already has a wife and for that reason can no longer be with him, despite his persistence in pushing aside what Victorian society see as right and being with him which again can be related to Jeanette, who is forced to suppress her inner feelings for Melanie in order to conform to what her church deems ‘right’. It must be noted however, that when Jeanette’s mother reads her the story of ‘Jane Eyre’, she adapts it to what she sees fit for Jeanette to believe. She alters the story so that Jeanette believes that Jane marries St John Rivers, when in truth (as Jeanette later discovers) ‘Jane doesn’t marry St John at all and that she goes back to Mr Rochester’. In this sense, ‘Jane Eyre’ not only plays a role in mirroring Jane’s life when looked at it hindsight, but the novel also plays a role in showing how Jeanette faced many difficulties whilst coming of age, brought about by the lies her mother uses in order to keep Jeanette ‘perfect’ in the eyes of the church. This being forced upon her is one of the largest difficulties that Jeanette faces in growing up, for as her sexuality becomes more prominent, she begins to contrast more and more against the ‘pure’ background of the church, and what her mother expects of her.
Within ‘The History Boys’ literary allusions are used continually throughout the play. The show tune’s original lyrics were designed to express female sexuality, and due to the explicitness of some of them, they’ve been altered in order to make them more dosile. Unlike Oranges, in which ‘Jane Eyre’ somewhat mirrors Jeanettes trials and tribulations, within the History Boys such allusions such as ‘Bewitched’ are much more subtle, and perhaps more hints and pointers at a coming of age and sexuality, than they are direct similarties. Lyrics at the beginning of the song suggest innocence and vulnerablility, particularly with like the likes of “a simpering, wimpering child again”, which perhaps hint towards the boys innocence as they were young, or their innoncence still now, such as Posner who feels that he is madly in love with Dakin, which can only be viewed as a childish crush. However, as the song progresses the lyrics develop with much more sexuality and charge, such as “Horizontally speaking he’s at his very best”, which contains an underlying hint at sexual imagery, and “ Thank god, I can be oversexed again”. Both lines show a development from a child like state, to ouvert female sexuality. This change can be linked to the changes that some of the boys go through, such as Dakin beginning to branch into the sexual aspects of a relationship. However, it can become more challenging, particularly with this particular allusion, to make distinct relations between the play and the references it makes, unlike Oranges, which appears much more blatant. One of the key barriers is that the original song was performed by a woman, and they lyrics are clearly forumlated for a female singer. However, you could take from this that it was for this reason that Posner was chosen to perform the song, who we learn to be homosexual, having a crush on Dakin, and so perhaps the allusion is a way of displaying Posner’s feelings towards Dakin, ‘bewitched, bothered and bewildered’.
Literary allusions are used within both texts to exemplify the theme of coming of age. An allusion within Oranges that exemplifies the theme of coming of age, is the “Prince and the goose fairytale”, it’s used to show how in life, Fairytales are not always stereotypical and do not always have happy endings; this is usually learned later on in life when we are adults, yet Jeanette has realised she isn’t a “typical” individual at a relatively young age. Within the fairytale the “prince” who symbolises Jeanette, transforms from being hard to please and eager for a perfect wife, which is rather unrealistic and childish “it must exist, because I want it”, to admitting he is wrong and that a perfect wife doesn’t exist “the point is I’m wrong”. The whole point of this allusion is to foreshadow that Jeanette will find it hard in the future to find the perfect partner and that in the end she will realise this because it doesn’t actually exist. The goose within the tale represents the mother, who try’s to guide Jeanette through life, yet doesn’t allow her to transition from childhood to adulthood on her own, which is the main cause of her rebellion.
An allusion within History Boys that exemplifies the theme of coming of age is when Posner sings a verse or two of “Bewitched” a love song which is about infatuation by Ella Fitzgerald. This allusion is used because it shows the inner feelings of Posner towards Dakin. Although the play doesn’t state if Posner sings it directed at Dakin, we get the feeling this is the case. Evidence of this is within the film of History Boys directed by Nicholas Hytner, Posner quite obviously sings “Bewitched” too Dakin, which is another interpretation.
Lmao! even my mum found this funny haha. and i swearit was about the association thingy?? great cos that one of mine was good and now this ones bloody crap. Oooh is anyone watching that channel 4 tower bolck of commons thingy? quite good Hahaha :)
Anywaysssssss back to the work.
Coming of age is exemplified in both texts using literary allusions. In oranges Jeanette uses a tale of Jane Eyre to relfect her experiences and what she is going to experience in the near immediate future. Jeanettes mother changes the ending of the story so that it does not influence Jeanettes choices later on, as she believes that Jeanette follows or at least SHOULD dollow in her mothers footsteps. Little does she know that Jeanette did actually read the ending of the story. Jeanette trusted her mother right up until this point, which clearly shows coming of age as she is less naive and can think for herself.
In History boys, a reference to World War One is used to exemplify Dakins sexual experiences from such innocence, he has no father figure to guide him or give him advice, which suggests his 'coming of age' is through him teaching himself and using references such as thrusting southwards and no mans land etc showing his eagerness and curiosity. There is reference to Passchendaele, which irnoically shows that Dakin didnt get what he wanted, neither did the British Soldiers. This allusion describes Dakin's experiences when losing his innocene and virginity.
Compare how literary allusions are used within bth texts to explemplify the theme of coming of age (Novel of formation)
The literary allusion of Jane Eyre parallels with Jeanette growing up, as she gets older Jeanette reads the book independantly. She finds that her mother re-wrote the end the ending, this and the discovery of her adoption papers taints Jeanette. 'I have never since played cards and I have never since read Jane Eyre'. Due to the fact that Jeanette's mother has rewritten the neding of the novel to suit her it is fair to suggest that her mother wants to recreate Jeanette in the same way. Jeanette had been an innocent and unquestioning child but the discovery of the actual ending to the novel breaks a part of that innocence: it culd even be seen as a slight start of rebellion against her mother. Differently, coming of age in the History Boys is more of a sexual reference rather than growing up and being independant (Jeanette reading the novel on her own). Dakin describes his sexual activities with a metaphor 'She's my western front.' aswell as being an allusion of war this metaphor seems to fit and does represent Dakin's struggle to conquer Fiona. This coming of age presents a permenant loss of innocence and a different angle of growing up to Jeanette.
I apologise right here and now for how damn poor that is. D:.
The coming of age is shown in both novels by the use of Literacy allusions. The theme of coming of age in History Boys as an allusion of ww1 is used Dakin says 'shes my western front'. This is related to comedy of age as Dakin is aiming this about sex, and sex is related to coming of age.
In Oranges the allusion to coming of age is shown when Jane Eyre is mentioned in the book. Jeanettes mother tells a false story to her about the love in which she has for a man in society who she should not. This goes for Jeanette to as she falls for someone in society who she shouldn't such as Melanie.
when Jeanette’s mother reads her the story of Jane Eyre, she changes the story so that Jeanette believes that Jane marries St John Rivers this is not actually what happens in the novel as Jeanette later discovers when she finds her adonption slips. Jane actually doesn’t marry St John and she goes back to Mr Rochester. The novel also plays a role in showing how Jeanette faced the difficulties in which coming of age had on her as a young girl by the lies. In ehich her mother said to keep in the church life. And how her mother trys to keep Jeannete perfect in what she does.
No i don't know any good jokes, but sir gotta admit yours wern't funny so were on the same level there . Haha anyway here is my homework, yes i have done it :)
In both texts the literary allusions are emphasised to show the theme of coming of age. In oranges Jeanette uses a theme of God to reflect her beliefs in God, her mother has always followed the Bible and expected her daughter to follow her footsteps. Therefore this indicates when she was younger she used to listen to her mother and follow her strictly because it was part of the flow of life however as she grew older she looks back and she tells the story as an adult herself, which emphasises the theme of coming of age and her growing up and having personal beliefs.
An allusion within The History Boys that exemplifies the theme of coming of age is when Irwin talks about the boys going into Cambridge or Oxford Universities he suggests that these are the best places to go to for every boy as the have the highest expectations and levels of success. This allusion is used because it shows the link to a place where the boys should be going in Irwin’s eyes. Similarly in the Oranges this is emphasised when Jeannette’s mother shows some kind of pushing towards her daughter learning the Bible same as the boys are at some kind of pressure to be going to them universities to be known as successful.
Within Oranges are not the only fruit Jeanette on a number of occasions Jeanette refers to different literary allusions, however the main one that stood out to me was her mention of the Disney fairy tale 'beauty and the beast'. She mentions this allusion in her rant of confusion about her future and where her love life will lead her. As she is just a child it is clear to see her innocence about the subject as she, like her mother changes the ending of the story to suit her. This could be classed as ironic as within this part of the book she is trying to find some truthful answers however she is unable to get out of the habit of changing things to suit her as her mother has taught her. This therefore leads to her coming of age as once she is an adult she is much more aware of her sexual preference and can understand why she feels different to others. Clearly her mention of the fairy tale is a pre-warning of what is to come in the book.
Likewise, in The History Boys Posner sings the Bewitched theme tune to Dakin. The words of the song fit in tune well with the message he is trying to convey, as he is just a young boy himself he expresses his true emotions through this song. One of the lines in the song is 'I'll sing to him, each spring to him' this line signifies Posner's purities as he is willing to express how he feels in a song. This Literary Allusion cleverly helps the audience get an incite to how the story will unfold. Linking to the allusion in Oranges as they both signify how the young adults transition from an inquisitive child to a adult looking back on the experiences they have had.
I HAVE done my homework, but being the lovely person I am(...?), I lent Ashley my book (containing my paragraphs) so that he can catch-up on the mountain of work he's missed, therefore I cannot possibly post my homework since I don't have it right now :/
Hope you don't mind if I post it when I get it back tomorrow instead. (Please don't kill me for being uncharacteristically nice!)
heres my cheesy australian translation.... you have to say it outloud to get the full effect. haha.
Its not racist though sir, its race related (quoted from the history boys haha)
say out loud for full effect!
Peck - to fill a suitcase Pissed aside - chemical which kills insects Pigs - for hanging out washing with Pug - large animal with a curly tail Nin tin dough - computer game Munner stroney - soup Mess Kara - eye makeup McKennock - person who fixes cars Jungle Bills - Christmas carol Inner me - enemy
In Oranges, Winterson makes use of allusions in order to exemplify the theme of 'innocence to experience'. An example of such an allusion is to be found where she refers to Jane Eyre, a novel which draws parallels to certain aspects of Jeanette's own life. Jane Eyre, like Jeanette, is an outcast who finds love in what society deems as the 'wrong place'. This parallel goes initially unnoticed by Jeanette, however, due to the fact that her mother changed the true ending of the novel so that Jane ended up married to the safer, more conventional missionary, instead of the wild and exciting Mr Rochester. This deception on the part of Jeanette's mother gives away much about her character and motivations and one can infer that she seeks to exercise the same control over Jeanette's life as she does over the ending of Jane Eyre. The theme of ‘innocence to experience’ is expounded upon when Jeanette speaks of how, since developing the skill to read by herself and therefore learning the true ending of the novel, she has “never since read Jane Eyre”. This shows how the innocent, simple enjoyment of a young girl reading a book with her mother has been twisted by Jeanette’s growing experience (the ability to read), perhaps introducing a new theme: “innocence becoming tainted by experience”.
‘Innocence to experience’ is also exemplified by allusions in The History Boys, which are used throughout the text to certain purposes within the plot. Similarly to Oranges, The History Boys uses allusions to comment on the tenuous grasp that innocence holds on the lives of, in this case, young boys reaching adulthood. The allusion within this text that I feel is best fitting is found where, in relation to the first world war, the boys collectively recite a poem (learned from Hector) which contains the line “never such innocence again”. This reflects poignantly on the aging of the boys themselves, and the stage of life that they are at – a time where they are young enough to be naïve in certain aspects, and yet old enough to recognise said naivety. At the age where they are discovering love (Posner – ‘Bewitched’), sex (Dakin – the western front metaphor) and God (Scripps), their capacity for innocence is waning fast under the torrent of knowledge and life experience they are receiving from all angles. Although they do not realise it when they parrot poetry which Hector has taught them, they themselves will never have ‘such innocence again’, since childhood/adolescent innocence once lost can never be regained.
I'd hate to point out that the accent that your jokes use, and yes, I said them outloud, is a Kiwi accent not Australian. We talk more proper than that.
Compare how literally allusions are used within both texts to exemplify the theme of coming of age (novel of formation).
Both text contain literary allusions to portrait the coming of age in the characters featured. An allusion is used to relate s certain situation or a them to a literary work that could hint on the problem. In 'oranges', Winterson makes many references to the theme of coming of age and the loss of innocence. She names the chapters of the book like the ones from the Old Testament, which tell of the struggle of the Israel people to find themselves. This is significant to Jeanette's character as through out the book she constantly struggles to find herself sexually and mentally. A not so subtle literary allusion is that of her mothers re telling of Jane Eyre. A story about a girl struggling to fit in the society beliefs and opinions, similar to Jeanette who gets bullied by the kids, parents and teachers at school but also her church and her mother. Her mother changes the ending of the story to suit her Christian beliefs and in order to retain from corrupting Jeanette's innocence in what she believes a boisterous choice from Jane Eyre in the book. When Jeanette reads the ending for herself, her innocence is corrupted by her mothers lies . Its a first step of coming of age as she looses her childlike naivety and its fair to say becomes more rebellious and less trusting. Unlike 'Oranges...' Alan Bennett of 'History Boys' uses less obvious texts, context and writers . 'History Boys' unlike “Oranges...' explores the coming of age in a sexual content while Winterson uses more of an allegory in “Oranges...' to explore the loss of innocence in finding one self. Boys becoming far more sexually experienced at a young age is an obvious loss of innocence or virginity. Dakin makes a reference to Fiona being his 'Western Front' in the battle of Passchendaele in which the British legendary lost in WW1, like Dakin looses the chance to 'conquer' Fiona. His ambition was to complete the 'big push' sexually yet he fails. He aim for experience, which in the eyes of young boys equals excellence is Dakins loss of innocence /virginity. Another remark that the characters make is in Posner's song to what we assume (see in the film) is to Dakin. Bewitched talks of the love one woman has for a man, including sexual references. The remark of 'whimpering, simpering child' could be counted towards the innocence the female experienced before falling in love with this man, yet after such a remark 'Horizontally speaking he's at his best' there is no doubt that the innocence was now lost by experience. This is ironic for Posner as he's madly in love with Dakin, and whether he looses his sexual innocence or learns from this innocent love affair for better experiences, he goes through a change from innocence to experience. Yet once lost it cam never be gained again.
24 comments:
v.funny sir!
should have been a comedian instead of an english teacher!!!!!!!!!!
hahahhahha
Man walks into bar. Ouch
That's my best joke!
stick to your day job then yeah ?!
:)
LOL.
What happens when you get scared half to death...twice?
There's something else you could use, Sir. :').
Do I post a joke or the homework?!
Oh well, my jokes are lame so I will stick to the homework...
In Oranges, there is reference to Jane Eyre, a novel that Jeanette’s mother enjoys, possibly because it reminds her of an old admirer. She changes the story when reading it to Jeanette though in that the loss of innocence doesn’t occur as it does in the novel. Jeanette’s mother seems to be protecting Jeanette from herself as she fears that she might follow in the footsteps of herself or Jane Eyre. Her personal experience with Pierre when she was coming of age and her being a strict Christian gives the impression that she doesn’t want her daughter to fall in love with a Byronic character like both her and Jane Eyre had. Therefore, the literary allusion is used to prevent a regretful coming of age, from innocence to experience.
In History Boys, Dakin has no such guidance when losing innocence, no father figure. He talks about his experiences with Fiona as a ‘thrust southwards’ showing his eagerness to come of age in his eyes and those of the boys, and to gain experience. The way he describes his experience as ‘moving up to the front-line troops’ is though he is talking about a battle. There is reference to Passchendaele, a battle during WW1. In the same way the British soldiers never made a decisive breakthrough, neither does Dakin on his mission to achieve the ‘big push’. The literary allusion of Passchendaele is used to describe his experience and ambition to come of age by losing his virginity.
Bobbie
Frankie i am afraid i do not like your joke it took me 10 mins to get it and about 15 to get sirs. There is something seriously wrong with me. But anyway the homework.
In Oranges, literacy allusions are used throughout to show the coming of age. Biblical allusions particulary are used and the chapters are all named after the chapters of the Old Testament. The Old Testament shows the journey of the people of Isreal and their struggle to become themselves. Jeanettte also has this and the context of each chapter follows tthe chapters of the Old Testament in all except one in Deutronomy. In the Old Testament this chapter is used to state the biblical laws put across by Moses. However Jeanette is almost the opposite and her sermon questions law. The use of this emphasises how Jeanette has changed and thinks for herself away from her religion unlike when she was younger.
In History Boys literacy allusions are also used in similar and different ways. One is shown when Dakin is talking about Frederick Kneeshaw. Dakin reads this to impress Irwin and talks to him about it. This shows that he has developed a admiration of Irwin that he had not before. He wants to get to know him and will worry about being wrong in front of him. It shows that Dakin has new feelings and that he does not know how to behave like many going through the phase of innocence to experience.
when IS this JOYOUS work meant to be completed by?
Two peanuts walked into a bar, and one was a-salted. A* joke i think.
In The History Boys the allusion of Posner singing 'Bewitched' isnt similar to jenette finding out about the 'Jane arye' book in Oranges, however both allusions show the theme of coming of age. Posner, being a boy, is in love with the other by Dakin. Posner sings 'Bewitched' which is a love song, traditionally sang by women. Posner being 'in love' with Dakin shows how he is coming of age but furthermore, being he is in love with a boy, showing he is gay which is a much more grown up thing to do. Also because he is Jewish it adds the pressure not to be gay, but he is anyways, showing his courage which shows more coming of age. In oranges jennettes mother changed the end of the story 'Jane Eyre' so that in the story jane marries St.John which was what her mother wanted to happen. when jennette reads the book herself she finds out her mother lied because it wasn’t who she wanted jennette to see the world. This suggest jenettes coming of age because it takes away some of her innocent and makes her less naive because of her lieing mother who she trusted. When Jenette finds out about this she compares it to finding out about her being adoption papers. This shows then link between the two of jenettes innocent being taken away, realise the world isn’t perfect, which most children believe.
Daisy.
I'm going to have to post my homework in two parts becaust the blog can't handle it ... By the way, I warn and apologise in advance ... My homework is awful ...
Prt 1 )
Within both texts literary allusions are used to show how coming of age can pose difficulties which must be faced by all individuals. Within ‘Oranges…’ ‘Jane Eyre’ is used to exemplify the theme of coming of age, and perhaps mirrors in some aspects the problems that Jeanette faces with society. Whilst growing up Jane Eyre faces many troubles in trying to fit in, and due to being different to the rest of her family in terms of class, is often excluded by her aunt and her cousins and struggles to find her place to fit into, similar to that of Jeanette, who struggles to fit in and find her place at school, and is often excluded, overlooked and teased by both the teacher and the other pupils. Furthermore, as the book progresses Jane finds herself becoming a respectable young lady and falls in love, however, much like Jeanette, it happens somewhat unexpectedly and falls for someone she should not in terms of what society sees ‘right’. Jane falls for her boss, Mr Rochester, as Jeanette does for Melanie, and after time they grow close and even progress to marriage. However, Jane discovers that Mr Rochester already has a wife and for that reason can no longer be with him, despite his persistence in pushing aside what Victorian society see as right and being with him which again can be related to Jeanette, who is forced to suppress her inner feelings for Melanie in order to conform to what her church deems ‘right’. It must be noted however, that when Jeanette’s mother reads her the story of ‘Jane Eyre’, she adapts it to what she sees fit for Jeanette to believe. She alters the story so that Jeanette believes that Jane marries St John Rivers, when in truth (as Jeanette later discovers) ‘Jane doesn’t marry St John at all and that she goes back to Mr Rochester’. In this sense, ‘Jane Eyre’ not only plays a role in mirroring Jane’s life when looked at it hindsight, but the novel also plays a role in showing how Jeanette faced many difficulties whilst coming of age, brought about by the lies her mother uses in order to keep Jeanette ‘perfect’ in the eyes of the church. This being forced upon her is one of the largest difficulties that Jeanette faces in growing up, for as her sexuality becomes more prominent, she begins to contrast more and more against the ‘pure’ background of the church, and what her mother expects of her.
Part Deux -
Within ‘The History Boys’ literary allusions are used continually throughout the play. The show tune’s original lyrics were designed to express female sexuality, and due to the explicitness of some of them, they’ve been altered in order to make them more dosile. Unlike Oranges, in which ‘Jane Eyre’ somewhat mirrors Jeanettes trials and tribulations, within the History Boys such allusions such as ‘Bewitched’ are much more subtle, and perhaps more hints and pointers at a coming of age and sexuality, than they are direct similarties. Lyrics at the beginning of the song suggest innocence and vulnerablility, particularly with like the likes of “a simpering, wimpering child again”, which perhaps hint towards the boys innocence as they were young, or their innoncence still now, such as Posner who feels that he is madly in love with Dakin, which can only be viewed as a childish crush. However, as the song progresses the lyrics develop with much more sexuality and charge, such as “Horizontally speaking he’s at his very best”, which contains an underlying hint at sexual imagery, and “ Thank god, I can be oversexed again”. Both lines show a development from a child like state, to ouvert female sexuality. This change can be linked to the changes that some of the boys go through, such as Dakin beginning to branch into the sexual aspects of a relationship. However, it can become more challenging, particularly with this particular allusion, to make distinct relations between the play and the references it makes, unlike Oranges, which appears much more blatant. One of the key barriers is that the original song was performed by a woman, and they lyrics are clearly forumlated for a female singer. However, you could take from this that it was for this reason that Posner was chosen to perform the song, who we learn to be homosexual, having a crush on Dakin, and so perhaps the allusion is a way of displaying Posner’s feelings towards Dakin, ‘bewitched, bothered and bewildered’.
I think my jokes the best, it's personalised!!
Rosie: Teacher, would you punish me for something I didn't do?
TEACHER: Of course not.
Rosie: Good, because I didn't do my homework.
Literary allusions are used within both texts to exemplify the theme of coming of age. An allusion within Oranges that exemplifies the theme of coming of age, is the
“Prince and the goose fairytale”, it’s used to show how in life, Fairytales are not always stereotypical and do not always have happy endings; this is usually learned later on in life when we are adults, yet Jeanette has realised she isn’t a “typical” individual at a relatively young age.
Within the fairytale the “prince” who symbolises Jeanette, transforms from being hard to please and eager for a perfect wife, which is rather unrealistic and childish “it must exist, because I want it”, to admitting he is wrong and that a perfect wife doesn’t exist “the point is I’m wrong”. The whole point of this allusion is to foreshadow that Jeanette will find it hard in the future to find the perfect partner and that in the end she will realise this because it doesn’t actually exist. The goose within the tale represents the mother, who try’s to guide Jeanette through life, yet doesn’t allow her to transition from childhood to adulthood on her own, which is the main cause of her rebellion.
An allusion within History Boys that exemplifies the theme of coming of age is when Posner sings a verse or two of “Bewitched” a love song which is about infatuation by Ella Fitzgerald. This allusion is used because it shows the inner feelings of Posner towards Dakin. Although the play doesn’t state if Posner sings it directed at Dakin, we get the feeling this is the case. Evidence of this is within the film of History Boys directed by Nicholas Hytner, Posner quite obviously sings “Bewitched” too Dakin, which is another interpretation.
Lmao! even my mum found this funny haha.
and i swearit was about the association thingy??
great
cos that one of mine was good
and now this ones bloody crap.
Oooh is anyone watching that channel 4 tower bolck of commons thingy? quite good Hahaha :)
Anywaysssssss back to the work.
Coming of age is exemplified in both texts using literary allusions. In oranges Jeanette uses a tale of Jane Eyre to relfect her experiences and what she is going to experience in the near immediate future. Jeanettes mother changes the ending of the story so that it does not influence Jeanettes choices later on, as she believes that Jeanette follows or at least SHOULD dollow in her mothers footsteps. Little does she know that Jeanette did actually read the ending of the story.
Jeanette trusted her mother right up until this point, which clearly shows coming of age as she is less naive and can think for herself.
In History boys, a reference to World War One is used to exemplify Dakins sexual experiences from such innocence, he has no father figure to guide him or give him advice, which suggests his 'coming of age' is through him teaching himself and using references such as thrusting southwards and no mans land etc showing his eagerness and curiosity. There is reference to Passchendaele, which irnoically shows that Dakin didnt get what he wanted, neither did the British Soldiers. This allusion describes Dakin's experiences when losing his innocene and virginity.
TOLD YOU ITS CRAP!!!
LOL@DAISY. <3.
Compare how literary allusions are used within bth texts to explemplify the theme of coming of age (Novel of formation)
The literary allusion of Jane Eyre parallels with Jeanette growing up, as she gets older Jeanette reads the book independantly. She finds that her mother re-wrote the end the ending, this and the discovery of her adoption papers taints Jeanette. 'I have never since played cards and I have never since read Jane Eyre'. Due to the fact that Jeanette's mother has rewritten the neding of the novel to suit her it is fair to suggest that her mother wants to recreate Jeanette in the same way. Jeanette had been an innocent and unquestioning child but the discovery of the actual ending to the novel breaks a part of that innocence: it culd even be seen as a slight start of rebellion against her mother.
Differently, coming of age in the History Boys is more of a sexual reference rather than growing up and being independant (Jeanette reading the novel on her own). Dakin describes his sexual activities with a metaphor 'She's my western front.' aswell as being an allusion of war this metaphor seems to fit and does represent Dakin's struggle to conquer Fiona. This coming of age presents a permenant loss of innocence and a different angle of growing up to Jeanette.
I apologise right here and now for how damn poor that is. D:.
sir that joke was awful :|
The coming of age is shown in both novels by the use of Literacy allusions. The theme of coming of age in History Boys as an allusion of ww1 is used Dakin says 'shes my western front'. This is related to comedy of age as Dakin is aiming this about sex, and sex is related to coming of age.
In Oranges the allusion to coming of age is shown when Jane Eyre is mentioned in the book. Jeanettes mother tells a false story to her about the love in which she has for a man in society who she should not. This goes for Jeanette to as she falls for someone in society who she shouldn't such as Melanie.
when Jeanette’s mother reads her the story of Jane Eyre, she changes the story so that Jeanette believes that Jane marries St John Rivers this is not actually what happens in the novel as Jeanette later discovers when she finds her adonption slips. Jane actually doesn’t marry St John and she goes back to Mr Rochester. The novel also plays a role in showing how Jeanette faced the difficulties in which coming of age had on her as a young girl by the lies. In ehich her mother said to keep in the church life. And how her mother trys to keep Jeannete perfect in what she does.
No i don't know any good jokes, but sir gotta admit yours wern't funny so were on the same level there . Haha anyway here is my homework, yes i have done it :)
In both texts the literary allusions are emphasised to show the theme of coming of age. In oranges Jeanette uses a theme of God to reflect her beliefs in God, her mother has always followed the Bible and expected her daughter to follow her footsteps. Therefore this indicates when she was younger she used to listen to her mother and follow her strictly because it was part of the flow of life however as she grew older she looks back and she tells the story as an adult herself, which emphasises the theme of coming of age and her growing up and having personal beliefs.
An allusion within The History Boys that exemplifies the theme of coming of age is when Irwin talks about the boys going into Cambridge or Oxford Universities he suggests that these are the best places to go to for every boy as the have the highest expectations and levels of success. This allusion is used because it shows the link to a place where the boys should be going in Irwin’s eyes. Similarly in the Oranges this is emphasised when Jeannette’s mother shows some kind of pushing towards her daughter learning the Bible same as the boys are at some kind of pressure to be going to them universities to be known as successful.
Skaiste
Within Oranges are not the only fruit Jeanette on a number of occasions Jeanette refers to different literary allusions, however the main one that stood out to me was her mention of the Disney fairy tale 'beauty and the beast'. She mentions this allusion in her rant of confusion about her future and where her love life will lead her. As she is just a child it is clear to see her innocence about the subject as she, like her mother changes the ending of the story to suit her. This could be classed as ironic as within this part of the book she is trying to find some truthful answers however she is unable to get out of the habit of changing things to suit her as her mother has taught her. This therefore leads to her coming of age as once she is an adult she is much more aware of her sexual preference and can understand why she feels different to others. Clearly her mention of the fairy tale is a pre-warning of what is to come in the book.
Likewise, in The History Boys Posner sings the Bewitched theme tune to Dakin. The words of the song fit in tune well with the message he is trying to convey, as he is just a young boy himself he expresses his true emotions through this song. One of the lines in the song is 'I'll sing to him, each spring to him' this line signifies Posner's purities as he is willing to express how he feels in a song. This Literary Allusion cleverly helps the audience get an incite to how the story will unfold. Linking to the allusion in Oranges as they both signify how the young adults transition from an inquisitive child to a adult looking back on the experiences they have had.
Taylor Wallis
I HAVE done my homework, but being the lovely person I am(...?), I lent Ashley my book (containing my paragraphs) so that he can catch-up on the mountain of work he's missed, therefore I cannot possibly post my homework since I don't have it right now :/
Hope you don't mind if I post it when I get it back tomorrow instead. (Please don't kill me for being uncharacteristically nice!)
- Becky Boakes
heres my cheesy australian translation.... you have to say it outloud to get the full effect. haha.
Its not racist though sir, its race related
(quoted from the history boys haha)
say out loud for full effect!
Peck - to fill a suitcase
Pissed aside - chemical which kills insects
Pigs - for hanging out washing with
Pug - large animal with a curly tail
Nin tin dough - computer game
Munner stroney - soup
Mess Kara - eye makeup
McKennock - person who fixes cars
Jungle Bills - Christmas carol
Inner me - enemy
lol im so funny.
(Sorry it's so late)
In Oranges, Winterson makes use of allusions in order to exemplify the theme of 'innocence to experience'. An example of such an allusion is to be found where she refers to Jane Eyre, a novel which draws parallels to certain aspects of Jeanette's own life. Jane Eyre, like Jeanette, is an outcast who finds love in what society deems as the 'wrong place'. This parallel goes initially unnoticed by Jeanette, however, due to the fact that her mother changed the true ending of the novel so that Jane ended up married to the safer, more conventional missionary, instead of the wild and exciting Mr Rochester. This deception on the part of Jeanette's mother gives away much about her character and motivations and one can infer that she seeks to exercise the same control over Jeanette's life as she does over the ending of Jane Eyre. The theme of ‘innocence to experience’ is expounded upon when Jeanette speaks of how, since developing the skill to read by herself and therefore learning the true ending of the novel, she has “never since read Jane Eyre”. This shows how the innocent, simple enjoyment of a young girl reading a book with her mother has been twisted by Jeanette’s growing experience (the ability to read), perhaps introducing a new theme: “innocence becoming tainted by experience”.
‘Innocence to experience’ is also exemplified by allusions in The History Boys, which are used throughout the text to certain purposes within the plot. Similarly to Oranges, The History Boys uses allusions to comment on the tenuous grasp that innocence holds on the lives of, in this case, young boys reaching adulthood. The allusion within this text that I feel is best fitting is found where, in relation to the first world war, the boys collectively recite a poem (learned from Hector) which contains the line “never such innocence again”. This reflects poignantly on the aging of the boys themselves, and the stage of life that they are at – a time where they are young enough to be naïve in certain aspects, and yet old enough to recognise said naivety. At the age where they are discovering love (Posner – ‘Bewitched’), sex (Dakin – the western front metaphor) and God (Scripps), their capacity for innocence is waning fast under the torrent of knowledge and life experience they are receiving from all angles. Although they do not realise it when they parrot poetry which Hector has taught them, they themselves will never have ‘such innocence again’, since childhood/adolescent innocence once lost can never be regained.
- Becky Boakes
Hollie,
I'd hate to point out that the accent that your jokes use, and yes, I said them outloud, is a Kiwi accent not Australian. We talk more proper than that.
Jokes on you, me thinks.
Mr. D
p/s I am reading through your responses!
Compare how literally allusions are used within both texts to exemplify the theme of coming of age (novel of formation).
Both text contain literary allusions to portrait the coming of age in the characters featured. An allusion is used to relate s certain situation or a them to a literary work that could hint on the problem.
In 'oranges', Winterson makes many references to the theme of coming of age and the loss of innocence. She names the chapters of the book like the ones from the Old Testament, which tell of the struggle of the Israel people to find themselves. This is significant to Jeanette's character as through out the book she constantly struggles to find herself sexually and mentally.
A not so subtle literary allusion is that of her mothers re telling of Jane Eyre. A story about a girl struggling to fit in the society beliefs and opinions, similar to Jeanette who gets bullied by the kids, parents and teachers at school but also her church and her mother. Her mother changes the ending of the story to suit her Christian beliefs and in order to retain from corrupting Jeanette's innocence in what she believes a boisterous choice from Jane Eyre in the book.
When Jeanette reads the ending for herself, her innocence is corrupted by her mothers lies . Its a first step of coming of age as she looses her childlike naivety and its fair to say becomes more rebellious and less trusting.
Unlike 'Oranges...' Alan Bennett of 'History Boys' uses less obvious texts, context and writers . 'History Boys' unlike “Oranges...' explores the coming of age in a sexual content while Winterson uses more of an allegory in “Oranges...' to explore the loss of innocence in finding one self.
Boys becoming far more sexually experienced at a young age is an obvious loss of innocence or virginity.
Dakin makes a reference to Fiona being his 'Western Front' in the battle of Passchendaele in which the British legendary lost in WW1, like Dakin looses the chance to 'conquer' Fiona. His ambition was to complete the 'big push' sexually yet he fails. He aim for experience, which in the eyes of young boys equals excellence is Dakins loss of innocence /virginity.
Another remark that the characters make is in Posner's song to what we assume (see in the film) is to Dakin. Bewitched talks of the love one woman has for a man, including sexual references. The remark of 'whimpering, simpering child' could be counted towards the innocence the female experienced before falling in love with this man, yet after such a remark 'Horizontally speaking he's at his best' there is no doubt that the innocence was now lost by experience. This is ironic for Posner as he's madly in love with Dakin, and whether he looses his sexual innocence or learns from this innocent love affair for better experiences, he goes through a change from innocence to experience. Yet once lost it cam never be gained again.
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