The History Boys Lesson Plan

What metaphor does Dakin use to flirt with Irwin in Act II, Scene 9? What does this tell us about Dakin's character?

In this scene, Dakin uses an extended metaphor about Hitler approaching Poland to describe his own pursuit of Irwin. Irwin does not take the bait at this point, but does seem intrigued by Dakin's intellectualism and attracted to the student. This scene is revealing of Dakin's true nature because he makes clear once again the degree to which he thinks of sexual relationships as conquests.

Dakin used similar military metaphors to describe his attempts to have sex with Fiona earlier in the play, and students know at this point that Dakin has also been...