an academic who explores how texts present the role and place of women in society

a text which explores and critiques particular problems in society

a woman who rules, leads or controls a family

a short quotation at the beginning of a text which suggests some of its important themes

the quality of being the most important or significant to something, or being central to it

The presentation of the matriarchy in Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking'

English

In 'Leave Taking: The Power of Education', pupils explored how a lack of Black representation in education and literature impacts sense of identity. In 'Leave Taking: An Intersectional Analysis', pupils focus on the specific experiences of Black Women in the play.

Modern text: second deep dive

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

Who does Pinnock dedicate 'Leave Taking' to?

In her introduction to 'Leave Taking', Pinnock says that when she re-reads her play now, she sees her "younger self consulting with my ...".

In Scene Six of 'Leave Taking', Enid says to Mai, "I feel a pressure all round here. Like something sitting on my chest, {{ }} the life outta me."

In her introduction to 'Leave Taking', Pinnock says, "my mother became a {{ }} to four young children at a time when there was still stigma attached to divorce."

An {{ }} is a short quotation at the beginning of a text which suggests some of its important themes.

Pinnock begins 'Leave Taking' with two epigraphs from which two feminist critics?

A matriarch is a woman who rules, leads or controls a family. Which of the characters in 'Leave Taking' are presented as matriarchs?

for her knowledge of the naturalisation process

she is someone people turn to in times of crisis

for her support of Brod, and others like him

for her willingness to take in other people's children

In 'Leave Taking', why is the character of Mai important to the Caribbean community in North London?

She stole some stockings from her uncle's wife

She would sometimes disappear to spend time in secret places alone

She brought up her children in rural poverty

Enid used to call her "Miss Bible Drawers"

She completed hard manual labour every day of her life

In Scene Four of 'Leave Taking', Enid tells Viv things about her mother. What do we find out?

She accepts the help, on the condition that Viv moves in with her and Mai

She says she doesn't need help because she is getting back together with Roy

She rejects it saying she needs to get on with her own life without Viv's help

She gets down on her knees and thanks her

In Scene Five of 'Leave Taking', Viv offers to help Del with the her baby when it is born. How does Del respond?

Their determination to bring up their children by themselves

In 'Leave Taking', the characters of Del and Enid are often present in conflict. How does Pinnock draw attention to their similarities?

In Scene Six of 'Leave Taking', Mai says of her clients, "expect me to reach into their souls and stick the broken pieces back together. They have sucked me dry. [...] My {{ }} dead."

Content guidance

Contains strong language

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

Starter Quiz