A series of spell-casting and healing traditions found in the Caribbean.

Instructions written in a play script (often in italics) which explain something about the staging or how an actor should deliver a line.

Foreshadowing is a literary device. It gives the reader or audience a hint or indication of what might happen later in the story.

An object that is thought to have magical powers.

An exploration of Scene Five of Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking'

English

In 'Leave Taking: A Sense of Belonging', pupils explore the themes of immigration and identity in the play. In 'Leave Taking: The Power of Education', pupils explore how a lack of representation in literature and other educational materials negatively impacts on sense of self.

in 'Small Island', pupils explore the themes of identity, race, colonisation - shedding light on the experiences of Jamaican immigrants in post-war Britain. In 'Leave Taking: A Sense of Belonging', pupils explore the experiences of second generation immigrants and the difficulties they face in 1980's Britain. 

Modern text: first study

Expressions that are regarded as coarse or otherwise unacceptable, including swear words and rude words.

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Both Del and Viv have left the family home.

What is arguably surprising about the opening of Scene Five of 'Leave Taking'?

In Scene Five of 'Leave Taking', Del asks Mai if her husband minded her being an obeah woman. Mai responds, 'He had no choice...It was my {{}}.'

In Scene Five of 'Leave Taking', Mai reads Del's palm and speaks to her experiences with education. Mai says she knows that Del 'had a liking for {{}}'.

Del beats her to it and picks the cards up first.

Del pushes the cards even further away from her.

In Scene Five of 'Leave Taking', Del drops some of Mai's cards to the floor on purpose. What happens when Mai tries to pick them up?

At the end of Scene One of 'Leave Taking', as Enid, Viv and Del leave Mai's house, the stage directions state, 'Enid and Viv go. Del {{}} back.'

Del asks Mai if she can move in with her.

Del stays at Mai's for a little bit after her mum and sister leave.

In Scene Five of 'Leave Taking', we learn that Del has moved into Mai's home. How is this foreshadowed in Scene One of the play?

They are present in all different text types.

They give some sort of instruction to a director or actor.

They shouldn't be analysed in an analytical essay.

They don't count as part of the script itself; only dialogue counts.

Pinnock includes stage directions in her play, 'Leave Taking'. What is true of stage directions?

In 'Leave Taking', one of the play's central characters is Mai, an obeah woman. Obeah is a series of spell-casting and {{}} traditions found in the Caribbean.

They bond over their shared interest in obeah.

Mai says Del can talk to her whenever she wants. Del declines the offer.

Del is rude about obeah, Mai and her home.

Del tries to steal something from Mai but is found out.

In 'Leave Taking', the characters of Del and Mai meet in Scene One. How would you characterise their initial relationship?

Del says, 'Pastor soon come.' and gets ready, ignoring what has happened.

At the end of Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Enid slaps Del. What happens next?

At the end of Scene One of 'Leave Taking', Mai offers to be a confidante to Del if she ever needs to talk. Del says, 'I got {{}} I wanna talk.'

At the end of Scene One of 'Leave Taking', Mai says to Del, 'I can see you {{}} to talk.'

Content guidance

Contains strong language

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

Starter Quiz