Leave taking is the act of saying goodbye to something that you are leaving behind.

A theme is an idea that is explored in a text in a number of different ways to fully explore the complexity of that idea.

A generation refers to people of about the same age. Grandparents, parents and children are all different generations.

Obeah is a series of spell-casting and healing traditions found in the Caribbean.

Colonisation is when a country establishes control over another country, exploiting it for economic gain.

An introduction to 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.

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

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

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

a Jamaican born woman in her 40s with 2 daughters

a family friend of Enid's, also Jamaican born

Enid's oldest daughter, she has left school, born in London

Enid's second daughter, still in school, born in London

There are five characters in 'Leave Taking'. Match the characters to their roles.

One of 'Leave Taking's' key themes is inter-generational conflict. How many generations are presented in the cast?

In Enid's house, with a presentation of a conflict between Enid and Del

With Enid looking to Mai, an obeah woman for advice and healing

With the presentation of a conflict between Enid and Del

With Mai reflecting on her worries about Del

{{}} is a series of spell-casting and healing traditions found in the Caribbean.

In Scene One of 'Leave Taking', Mai says 'I don't deal in numbers. Is {{}} I deal in.'

In Scene One of 'Leave Taking', Del calls obeah 'mumbo jumbo {{}}'.

They are designed to be performed on stage.

'Leave Taking' is a play. What are common features of plays?

They can establish how the audience should enter the theatre.

They can establish the dialogue between characters.

They can explain how the set should look.

They tell the director exactly what to do.

They can explain how an actor should deliver their lines.

'Leave Taking' includes stage directions. What is the purpose of stage directions in a play?

'Leave Taking' was first performed in 1987 and is set around this time. It is a modern play. Which century is it set in?

That there are five people for each role.

'Leave Taking' has a cast of five. What does the word 'cast' mean in this context?

The act of being forced to leave somewhere

The act of stealing something when you leave somewhere

Winsome Pinnock's first full length play is 'Leave Taking'. The title is significant. What might the title refer to?

She has been given awards for many of her plays

Winsome Pinnock, the playwright who wrote 'Leave Taking', is a prolific British playwright. What does 'prolific' mean?

Content guidance

Contains strong language

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

Starter Quiz