the history boys - act one

when first reading the first act within the play, i automatically became clear of the comedy that has been used for various reasons.
there is also a contrast/rivalry between the two teachers hector and irwin. when we first meet hector we see him as a eccentric english teacher that wants the boys to learn about the most important things in life such as, music, literature, fact and figures. however, when young irwin is added to the scene the automatic contrast is created, irwin has been called into the school too make the school itself look good as well as the boys.
the boys themselves create the 'banter' within the play due to the euphemisms and themes caused. they show a friendly friendship towards their teacher, however they know when they have taken it too far and when to respect him. however, hector has been shown to be sexually abusing his students which in this year's generation would be taken to a new level and this would of never been aloud. this then makes me wonder what and how people would of reacted to this in the eighties and whether they has any problems with this or was it seem as something that was 'normal'? 

How appropriate do you think it is to describe The Great Gatsby as a tragedy?

I agree to disagree with this statement for various reasons. I don't think the novel is a tragedy from the point of view of Nick being the narrator, as I've learnt more about Nick and can relate to him due to him telling the story. I think it's only a tragedy for the characters Gatsby and Mrs Wilson, this is because of the death of Gatsby and Mrs Wilson as well as her affair with Tom.

I feel that it's only a tragedy for those characters and not for anyone else but it's not a theme that would change the whole outlook of the novel. I think if either Gatsby or Mrs Wilson was the narrator then the novel would be a tragedy because the audience would react differently when the tragic moments happened to these characters because they were the narrator and was telling the story. Otherwise, I don't think the novel is a tragedy, it's more of a love story I feel. A love story between the characters and how Gatsby covered for Daisy when she ran over Mrs Wilson. From this, when Mr Wilson shot Gatsby it was like he was taking his life for Daisy, he was dying a better man. It shows that Gatsby would of done anything to be with Daisy, as he loved her that much. He also got what he wanted in effect of love more than money.

Overall, I don't think that the novel is a tragedy from the Nick being the narrator, it's only a tragedy for two of the characters within the novel and if the narrator was a different character then maybe the tragic events more make it more effective in the theme given.