Discuss how Mrs Lintott is presented in this scene (pg.82-87)

Discuss how Mrs Lintott is presented in this scene (pg. 82-87)

Mrs Lintott is constantly divided from the rest of the characters due to her gender. Although she has a close relationship with and is respected by the boys, “a nickname is an achievement”, shows how much she values the opinions of the boys, her feminist revelations indicate that she feels she is only measured by her gender. “I just wonder whether it occurs to any of you how dispiriting this can be?” “but at least you get their problems. I seldom do.” This hints the disappointment that Mrs Lintott feels at the boys open relationship with Irwin. Mrs Lintott is honest and liked but yet she isn't trusted with the boys problems. Perhaps because she is a woman.

Alan Bennett presents Mrs Lintott as quite sarcastic. “I hesitate to mention this”. Mrs Lintott says this line shortly before going on, without a hint of hesitation, to make a huge speech about women. It also suggests that Mrs Lintott is quite self aware that she isn’t always in control of her emotions. “lest it occasion a sophisticated groan”, this quotation implies that Mrs Lintott has gone off on a tangent before and now simply expects a groan from the boys.

Mrs Lintott allows her feminist views to influence her ability to be impartial in certain situations. “Nor will you. Next”. The boys are trying to prepare for their oxbridge interviews and instead of remaining professional and encouraging Akthar, she reacts quite childishly by dismissing him before he has even begun his interview. This suggests that Mrs Lintott is such a strong feminist she can’t even look past a teenage boy’s silly comment.

I believe that Mrs Lintott’s view on education changes throughout the play. At the beginning of the play Mrs Lintott feels strongly about education and prides herself on how well she has taught the boys, “They’re all clever. I saw to that.” However it seems that towards the end of the play Mrs Lintott simply loses faith in the education system.