Being alone, without friends, help or support.

Winsome Pinnock’s ‘Leave Taking’: the character of Enid

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

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

She is going to study English Literature at university.

She is going to study Black Studies at university.

She is going to take a gap year before university.

She wants to become an obeah woman, like Del.

In Scene Eight of 'Leave Taking', what do we find out about Viv's future plans?

In Scene Four of 'Leave Taking', Enid tells Viv that, when she was growing up in Jamaica, people used to make fun of her family. Why did they make fun of them?

In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Enid says to Brod, "I proud a my {{ }} girls."

In Scene Eight of 'Leave Taking', Enid compares the rural poverty she faced in Jamaica to the poverty she faces in England. She says, "In a way, we poorer than them. Them all in it {{ }}."

In Scene Three of 'Leave Taking', Enid recalls a church service in Jamaica. She says, "That service was {{ }}."

Enid was unemployed in Jamaica, unlike in England.

Enid faces destitution in England, like she did in Jamaica.

Enid feels her children have better opportunities in England.

Enid faces hardships in both Jamaica and England.

In 'Leave Taking', how does Pinnock present Enid's life in England, compared to her life in Jamaica?

In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Enid tells Del: "I work {{ }} jobs seven days a week."

They both suppress their memories of Jamaica.

In 'Leave Taking', what is true of both Brod and Enid?

In Scene Four of 'Leave Taking', Enid tells Viv, "I come from the {{ }} family in the whole a Jamaica."

In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Brod talks about Jamaica's poverty. He says, "And why they [Jamaicans] poor? Because a {{ }}. Imperialism."

Pinnock's parents migrated from Jamaica to England. They faced hostility. In her introduction to 'Leave Taking', Pinnock says her parents "didn't {{ }} and rarely discussed hardship."

In her introduction to 'Leave Taking', Pinnock says her parents and their generation "had been indoctrinated by a colonialist {{ }} that lionised (celebrated) all things British."

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

Starter Quiz