a term describing how certain social categories (for example ethnicity, class, gender) can combine together to create unique combinations of disadvantage or advantage

when society treats a person or group of people as if they are unimportant, isolating and disempowering them

unjust treatment, often of a group of people

when audiences, regardless of time period or circumstance, can relate to the ideas or characters in a text

Understanding intersectionality 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

Pinnock drew on some of her mother's experiences in creating the character of Enid in 'Leave Taking'. What similarities can we see between them?

how much they related to the character of Mai

that the intergenerational conflict was very relatable

that it was a good decision to reduce the cast list to just five

how much they related to the character of Enid

What does Pinnock say audience members would say to her after the play's first performances of 'Leave Taking'?

It is about the Windrush scandal which is topical for a contemporary audience

Enid is universally acknowledged to be based on Pinnock's mother

Regardless of time period, audiences can connect to its themes and characters

Enid migrating to England is a universal experience

Its characters and themes remain relevant

In what ways might someone consider 'Leave Taking' universal?

Younis wanted to be the first person to produce 'Leave Taking' on stage

He knew the theatre could afford it because Pinnock had reduced the cast list

The play continues to be relevant despite being written in 1987

He considers the play an important example of work by black British playwrights

Artistic Director Madani Younis revived 'Leave Taking' in 2018. What reasons did he give for wanting to revive the play again?

In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Del accuses Enid of ignoring racial discrimination in England and simply "{{ }} and scraping" to her "beloved England".

In her introduction to 'Leave Taking'. Pinnock describes her parents as growing up in "plantation villages where the legacy of enslavement was still evident in the wretched {{ }} they endured."

Brod sent her the money so she could migrate

What do we find out about Enid's upbringing in Jamaica in Scene Four of 'Leave Taking'?

They were overwhelmed by the welcome they got in England when they migrated

They had been educated to think of Britain as a wonderful place

In her introduction to 'Leave Taking', Pinnock tells us about her parents. What do we find out about them?

In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', whilst Brod criticises England, Enid maintains that "England been {{ }} to me".

In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Enid slaps Del during a fight. Enid justifies the slap saying, "People grow up in {{ }} think they can talk to you anyhow. Well, they can't."

In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Enid speaks of some of the sacrifices she has made for her children. She tells Del she works hard "so that you can dress like those children who have {{ }}".

In Scene Eight of 'Leave Taking', Enid opens up to Del about some of her experiences in England saying, "You could work fifty years with people and they still don't know your name...You don't {{ }}".

Content guidance

Contains strong language

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

Starter Quiz