Watched the film The History Boys last night.  In amongst all the other stuff a couple of interesting, pertinent quotations - but probably not the sort one can quote in a nice polite theology essay!

As the boys rehearse for their Oxbridge interviews, the female history teacher, Mrs Lintott, poses the question 'what is history?'

Her own response is "history is women following behind with a bucket'

The character Rudge observes "one [expletive deleted] thing after another"

One of the characters comes up with the idea of 'subjunctive history' based on the favourite verbal mood/voice (I never fully get to grips with grammar, not something late 1970's/early 1980's comprehensive education went in for) of the teacher known as Hector.  History as a story of possibilities - might have, could have, would have.... the 'what if' questions... the diffenrence that arose (or arises) from seemingly insignificant or random events.  I have a suspicion that there is a lot of mileage in this idea, if anyone wanted to pursue it.

I quite enjoyed the film - though did the early 1980's really look that old fashioned?!  Thankfully in my compehensive school it was achievement enough to make it to university - 'Loughbrough in a bad year' would have been judged worthwhile.  The film as an exploration of history in its own right - now there's an exercise for the reader!

(Having now read a couple of reviews of the film and the play, it appears the theme Bennett is exploring is that of novelty in education - and its logical consequences if allowed to run unchecked.  But being a good Post Modern person, I'd argue that once you set it free to real 'readers' thay make of it what they will, and, in the words of the recycling advertisement, at least in theory, 'the possiblities are endless')