The Village And The Public School

   Public school - the bending of a twig. A young boy of initiative, and individuality, who is sent to public school. Gradually he is worn down, so that he would become a useful member of society. Which was what public schools were all about, the development of character, the breaking of the individual spirit, and discipline. As Thompkinson of 'Thompkinson's School Days' a ripping yarn says "Everything about Greybridge seemed designed to crush the soul, and breakdown any reserve of pride I had." Public schools changed pupils nature, changed them into conformists. Thompkinson attempts to escape Greybridge on two separate occasions. Once by simply running away. In fact he was seventeen miles away before he was caught by the school leopard. Another time he tried to escape dressed as a woman, but was caught by the Spanish master! But in the end, after winning the school hop {certain boys were allowed to hop against other schools} Thompkinson returns the Greybridge, and is offered the opportunity to be made the new school bully, he decided that this would be his chance to change the school system from within. But he realised it would take time.

   The Village. Like a number of Village citizens No.6 wears a piped blazer which is sometimes part of school uniform. Patrick McGoohan went to a public school and wore a piped blazer as Captain of the boxing team, and like all pupils of his school he had a school number. The Village, like public schools is self-contained, and has many ways and means designed to break the spirit, and the will of the individual. No.6 must be made to conform, it is No.2's duty to see to it that No.6 does conform, although they don't want him broken. He must be taught to bend, even if only a little. Like Thompkinson No.6 tries to escape, but there is no escape, and even if escape is possible, it's not too long before No.6 is re-captured and brought back to the Village. No.6 is offered power, but he rejects it, and in the ensuing confusion he escapes the Village. And yet he doesn't. Physically he escaped the Village, but in his mind he's just as much a prisoner at the end as he was at the beginning, and so he is returned to the Village, and like Thompkinson there is no other place he can go!

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