'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scene 1
I can explain the events of Act 2, Scene 1 and compare to Act 1.
'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scene 1
I can explain the events of Act 2, Scene 1 and compare to Act 1.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Edmundson shows the link between class and race - migrants automatically fell to the bottom of the social hierarchy.
- Hope and betrayal remain important themes as the couple do not achieve their middle class ambitions.
- Pride emerges as an important value among the migrant population - Gilbert does not warn Hortense about life in London.
- Neither Hortense's "pale skin" nor Gilbert's time in the military gain them additional status.
- There is a stark contrast between Act 1 and Act 2, showing the realisation that expectations do not match the reality.
Keywords
Pride - a feeling of satisfaction at your achievements or situation
Betrayal - the act of not being loyal, or doing the opposite of what is said
Social hierarchy - the idea that society is organised in terms of status and power
Prejudice - unfair or unreasonable opinions formed without thought or knowledge
Euphemism - the use of a word or phrase to avoid saying an offensive word or phrase
Common misconception
That Hortense is simply ungrateful.
Think about the promises and expectations that were used to encourage migration. View Hortense's and Gilbert's interaction in light of this betrayal.
To help you plan your year 9 english lesson on: 'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scene 1, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 english lesson on: 'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scene 1, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 english lessons from the 'Small Island' unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the play 'Small Island' written by Andrea Levy and adapted for the stage by Helen Edmundson
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
"In England I will have a smart front door and I will ring the bell."
"What have you done?"
"I lost my family. In a hurricane".
"I'm done with this small island. I seen too much of the world now."