School Sayings
While they cater for a tiny - albeit privileged - proportion of the population, public schools attract inordinate amounts of comment. Even now, it's almost impossible to pick up a broadsheet without finding a columnist making unnecessary references to where they were educated; while ripping yarns of public school life are found on the shelves of every underfunded local library - whether the locals want them or not.
This section is devoted to some of the more notable references to public schools that have appeared in print. Naturally, we're always happy to hear of new recommendations - simply send them to us we'll do the rest Alternatively, add them to the "Quote of the Day" section of the message board.
Angela Carter (1940-1992)
He had first discovered a propensity for savagery in the acrid lavatories of a minor English public school where he used to press the heads of the new boys into the ceramic bowl and pull the flush upon them to drown their gurgling protests. (Fireworks: Nine Profane Pieces).
Henry Fielding (1707-1752)
Attended: Eton College
I have found it; I have discovered the cause of all the misfortunes which befell him. A public school, Joseph, was the cause of all the calamaties which he afterwards suffered. Public schools are the nurseries of all vice and immorality. (Joseph Andrews).
EM Forster (1879-1970)
Attended: Tonbridge
It is not that the Englishman can’t feel—it is that he is afraid to feel. He has been taught at his public school that feeling is bad form. He must not express great joy or sorrow, or even open his mouth too wide when he talks—his pipe might fall out if he did. (Notes on the English Character).
The Headmaster from Lindsay Anderson's If....
Education is a nubile Cinderella, scantily-clad and often interfered with.
Jacques Peretti
Bill had been in Colditz for three years before he thought of an escape plan. "Throw yourself out of the window. All other methods of escape had been attempted. This seemed much simpler to me. Just stand on the roof and jump off."
Escape From Colditz (C4) was full of stir-crazy lunacy. Forced to live in nine square feet with a smell of wet socks, most of them enjoyed it, having served time at public school. Some built cardboard telescopes to look down at the town and spy the German lovelies in their pantyhose. "This was an enormously popular pastime, as the only females we had were the male ones dressed-up.
(The Guardian)
Evelyn Waugh (1903-1966)
Attended: Lancing College
Anyone who has been to an English public school will always feel comparatively at home in prison. It is the people brought up in the gay intimacy of the slums ... who find prison so soul-destroying. (Decline and Fall).
Our form-master is one Woodard, a new parson who, people say, is related to the misguided old gentleman who founded us. He seems quite decent but undoubtedly means to make us work - a fad I abhor in masters.
(Diaries)
