The feeling that you are accepted in a group, community or society.

When there is a focus on European culture or history, ignoring or excluding cultures and history from the wider world.

The tools a playwright uses to create drama. Examples are setting, stage directions, dialogue and language choices.

In relation to context, when you embed it into paragraphs rather than including it as a series of isolated facts.

When a country establishes control over another country, exploiting it for economic gain.

Exploring model responses to an essay about Viv and belonging in ‘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

In an individual paragraph at the end of the essay.

At the end of each paragraph as a bolt on.

Just in your introduction: context must be clear from the beginning.

Weave it into your response where appropriate.

In the final sentence of your conclusion.

Context can be used in essays on 'Leave Taking'. How should you incorporate it?

In Scene One of 'Leave Taking', how does Viv describe Mai's house once inside?

He wants Viv to go and meet her when she visits Jamaica.

He wants her to know about her cultural identity and history.

He thinks she is an historical figure that may come up in her exams.

He and Enid have been talking about her recently so she is on his mind.

He is angry about her Eurocentric education.

In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Brod asks Viv about Nanny of the Maroons. Why?

In Scene Four of 'Leave Taking', Viv tells Enid that she is unhappy about spending her "life bent over {{ }} that have nothing to do with me."

In her introduction to 'Leave Taking', Pinnock says one reason she wrote the play was to explore the experiences of  "this {{ }} breed of black British woman".

In Scene Five of 'Leave Taking', Viv tells Del she skipped an exam even though "pat me on the head and they [the answers] all come tumbling out, say exactly what the {{ }} want to hear."

In 'Leave Taking', Viv and Del, Enid's children, are {{ }} generation immigrants.

She feels it will help her understand her identity.

Mai suggests she goes rather than attending university.

She and Del have always talked about visiting.

In Scene One of 'Leave Taking', Viv says she wants to visit the West Indies. What reason does she give?

That their father used to abuse their mother.

That she skipped one of her A-Level exams.

What does Viv tell Del in Scene Five of 'Leave Taking'?

What was happening when the text was written

The text's style, genre and publication history

Attitudes and values of the time period(s)

When writing an essay on 'Leave Taking', you can include context to develop your ideas. There are four different types of context you could use. Match each to its definition.

She is angry that Viv is studying rather than helping her clean.

She quotes these writers back to Viv as well.

She asks her if she also knows who Nanny of the Maroons is.

She is proud, but confused as she doesn't know these quotations herself.

She asks Mai if this is enough to ensure Viv passes her exams.

In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Viv quotes from two British writers: William Shakespeare and Rupert Brooke. How does Enid respond?

In her introduction to 'Leave Taking', Pinnock says her parents were "indoctrinated by a colonialist {{ }} that lionised [celebrated] all things British".

Content guidance

Contains strong language

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

Starter Quiz