Lister’s back was horribly bruised, and I believe they either broke or injured the sacro-iliac joints, rendering him unable to walk for some time. Just before the war broke out, he and his mother visited the U.S. and Canada, and he chose to stay here. His accounts of how he was treated in the British school system at the time were little less than horrifying. Even today, I understand that people who wish to home-school their kids are literally put through the wringer by the provincial education authorities.

(* Coming in a theater near you during the next word wide revolution)

Unfortunately, home schooling is still illegal in many countries, and even where it’s legal, it’s often subject to close government scrutiny. It seems these conflicts often turn into a battle of wills. Like when the government realizes it made a mistake, rather than admit it, apologise, and reverse course, everyone digs in their heels and proceeds on a war footing. (careers are on the line, after all)

And it’s not just about learning the ‘three R’s’. For one thing, governments have historically wanted children to grow up to be patriotic, goose-stepping, Kool-Aid drinkers — not independent thinkers. It’s implied that Dominic’s father is somewhat of a counter-culturist, which in itself often invites persecution.

One can only wonder, if children in Britain today were subjected to these state-sanctioned schooling methods like caning and being locked in dark closets at home, would social services intervene and remove the children to state custody?