Scene Summary: The play 'The History Boys' explores themes of education, wit, and moral complexity through the interactions of a group of British schoolboys and their teachers. The scene takes place during a classroom discussion where the teachers challenge the students to think critically and quickly. The characters display a sharp wit and intellectual prowess, often using clever wordplay and rhetorical devices. Context Guide: The playwright Alan Bennett uses dialogue rich in irony and humor to highlight the contrast between superficial knowledge and genuine understanding. Quotes such as 'Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire' exemplify the play's emphasis on intellectual passion and wit. Students are encouraged to analyze how language techniques—such as metaphors, puns, and rhetorical questions—are employed to develop characters and themes.