A LONG-HAIRED REBEL AT THE STATE SECONDARY SCHOOL
Written by Bert Plomp
In “A Long-Haired Rebel at the State Secondary School” Bert Plomp paints a vivid and nostalgic portrait of his secondary school years in the 1960s. This autobiographical story takes the reader to the State Secondary School in Utrecht, where, as a fifteen-year-old, the author experienced a turbulent period filled with confrontations, youthful bravado, and personal discoveries.
The strength of Plomp’s narrative lies in the evocative atmosphere he creates. He transports the reader to a time when classrooms were filled with cigarette smoke and chalk dust, and when teachers often inspired more fear than respect. His observations are rich in detail, such as the strictly segregated staircases for boys and girls, or the colourful portrayal of the assistant caretaker nicknamed “Poopeye”. All of this lends the story an almost cinematic quality.
Plomp skilfully interweaves humour with seriousness in his account. His anecdotes about the tyrannical mathematics teacher Smit, the eccentric geography teacher De Looff, and the strict music teacher Schutte are laced with irony. At the same time, there are more serious undertones. Plomp reflects on social barriers, his lack of encouragement at home, and how these factors affected his performance. This balance between humour and melancholy gives the story depth.
Alongside the schoolyard trials and tribulations, romance also plays a role in Plomp’s recollections, such as his passionate encounters with his classmate Conny. This element adds another dimension to the narrative, although some passages may feel somewhat explicit. While these scenes may not suit every reader, they contribute to the authenticity and rawness of Plomp’s memories.
The text is steeped in nostalgia, yet Plomp does not shy away from pointing out the limitations of his time. He highlights, for instance, the rigid school system and the social inequality he experienced. At the same time, a critical note can be heard regarding the present generation, giving the story a reflective character on how times and norms have changed.
“A Long-Haired Rebel at the State Secondary School” is an engaging and at times hilarious account of a young rebel in the 1960s. With his sharp pen and keen eye for detail, Plomp succeeds in bringing to life a world that is both recognisable and fascinating. Although some passages might have benefited from greater restraint, the honesty and warmth of the story more than compensate. For lovers of personal narratives and nostalgic reflections, this story is highly recommended.
This story reads both as a tribute to a time full of youthful adventures and challenges, and as a mirror that Plomp holds up to himself and to society.
Aukje Idema
Aflevering 2: Een wolk van rook en krijtdeeltjes
Aflevering 3: Wallis weet allis
Aflevering 4: Ronduit adembenemend
Aflevering 6: Op de kast, in de kast
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