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!
Be seeing you
"Which was what public schools were all about, the development of character, the breaking of the individual spirit, and discipline"
ReplyDeleteTotal bollocks. How do you develop character by breaking the spirit? You have an unbelievably outdated view of the independent school system, which in the 21st century encourages individual development and advancement.
If anonymous bothered to clear his mind of prejudice, and read this blog properly, he would have realised that the reference to Public schools was at the of "Boys Own," and NOT present day.
DeleteTosha McBride
"Patrick McGoohan went to a public school ".
DeleteAre you, Tosh, agreeing that Patrick's individual spirit was broken by his schooling, because that's the conclusion drawn from David's daft argument?
Don't talk rubbish! McGoohan's spirit never entered into it. Why do you have to twist things simply to find fault? Why not contribute something sensible if indeed you have anything sensilbe to say.
DeleteTosha McBride
What is twisted is David's argument. He can't have it both ways. He can't simply cherry-pick what simply seems good on paper (because of course he is a self-published author) when it suits one line of his thinking and then go into complete reverse in the next paragraph. That is saying something sensible!
DeleteIt is abundantly clear that anonymous has entered this site as a Troll with his own personal axe to grind against David, which is something I do not wish to be a party to.
ReplyDeleteIn future I shall not reply to anything THIS anonymous has to say.
Tosha