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

The process by which something may change over time, including people understanding and accepting who they are.

Who you are; the qualities that make you. Understanding, finding and accepting your identity can be a life’s work.

An exploration of Scene Eight 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

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

Depiction or discussion of sexual or domestic abuse or violence, including  threats of or the aftermath of.

Depiction or discussion of sexual violence

She believes her mother thought Enid's appearance would make her life difficult.

She believes her mother hated that she never met Del and Viv.

She believes her mother hated Enid's ex husband.

She has not spoken to her mother since she migrated to England.

In Scene Eight of 'Leave Taking', what does Enid reveal about her relationship with her mother?

Mai is going to give her the notebook which contains all her knowledge on obeah.

Mai wants her to take over as an obeah woman.

In Scene Eight of 'Leave Taking', what does Del learn about Mai during her practical exam?

In Scene Eight of 'Leave Taking', Mai tells Del that she is going to see her next client. Mai says, 'Is time. You {{}}.'

In Scene Eight of 'Leave Taking', Del and Enid discuss the relative poverty of Enid's family in Jamaica, and Enid's family in England. Enid says, 'In a way we {{}} than them.'

In Scene Eight of 'Leave Taking', Enid tells Del that she knows they face racial discrimination. Enid hates this, and it makes her want to '{{}} the place down.'

She had to persuade her husband to join her.

Her sister asked her to take her with her.

Her mother refused to say goodbye to her.

In Scene Four of 'Leave Taking', what does Enid reveal about her final day in Jamaica before migrating to England?

Del is angry that Brod is visiting again; she considers him a drunk.

Del is jealous of the attention Viv gets from Enid.

Del doesn't like the fact her mother wants to go and see Mai again.

Del feels Enid is too focussed on the Pastor's visit.

Del feels Enid ignores the discrimination Black people face in England.

In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Enid and Del argue. Why is Del particularly angry with Enid?

She buys various pieces of equipment. For example, cards.

She tells Viv she wants to visit the West Indies.

She watches Mai practicing certain rituals.

She dabs some of the love potion behind her ears when Mai isn't looking.

In Scene Five of 'Leave Taking', how does Pinnock show that Del is becoming increasingly interested in obeah?

In Scene One of 'Leave Taking', Enid describes Del as '{{}}. Like she possessed.'

In Scene Six of 'Leave Taking', Enid confides in Mai, telling her that she is worried about Del: 'I worry she a go {{}} herself.'

In Scene Six of 'Leave Taking', Mai wonders if there is 'some kinda curse that condemn our people to wander the earth like {{}} who can't find rest.'

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of sexual violence

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.