Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
Teachers
Pupils
New
New
Year 9

'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scene 1

I can explain the events of Act 2, Scene 1 and compare to Act 1.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 9

'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scene 1

I can explain the events of Act 2, Scene 1 and compare to Act 1.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Edmundson shows the link between class and race - migrants automatically fell to the bottom of the social hierarchy.
  2. Hope and betrayal remain important themes as the couple do not achieve their middle class ambitions.
  3. Pride emerges as an important value among the migrant population - Gilbert does not warn Hortense about life in London.
  4. Neither Hortense's "pale skin" nor Gilbert's time in the military gain them additional status.
  5. There is a stark contrast between Act 1 and Act 2, showing the realisation that expectations do not match the reality.

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.

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

Assigning parts or trying different reading strategies like "control the game" can enhance the reading of this scene.
Teacher tip

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

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Video

Skip video

Loading...

Starter quiz

Download starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
In 'Small Island', what do we find out about Queenie at the end of Act 1?
She is ill
Correct answer: She is pregnant
She is bankrupt
She is killed
Q2.
In 'Small Island' which character says "I cannot be the fool who is left behind again”?
Elwood
Correct answer: Hortense
Celia
Gilbert
Queenie
Q3.
In 'Small Island', who has ambitions of being a teacher and being greeted "with manners and respect"?
Queenie
Celia
Correct answer: Hortense
Gilbert
Michael
Q4.
Which of these is not a description of setting from Act 1, 'Small Island'?
Jamaica bracing itself for a hurricane.
Correct answer: A grey, starkly realistic world.
Footage of celebrations in Kingston.
The Empire Windrush is preparing to sail.
News footage of the 'Blitz Spirit'.
Q5.
Match the characters from 'Small Island' to the correct quote.
Correct Answer:Hortense,"In England I will have a smart front door and I will ring the bell."

"In England I will have a smart front door and I will ring the bell."

Correct Answer:Queenie,"What have you done?"

"What have you done?"

Correct Answer:Michael,"I lost my family. In a hurricane".

"I lost my family. In a hurricane".

Correct Answer:Gilbert,"I'm done with this small island. I seen too much of the world now."

"I'm done with this small island. I seen too much of the world now."

Q6.
These descriptions all appear at the start of scenes in 'Small Island'. Starting with the first, put them in chronological order.
1 - Pathe-style news footage of Jamaica bracing itself for a hurricane.
2 - Pathe-style news footage of the 'Blitz Spirit'.
3 - Pathe-style footage of celebrations in Kingston.
4 - Pathe-style footage of Britain's efforts to get back on its feet.
5 - A sultry evening in Kingston.
6 - Kingston docks. The Empire Windrush is preparing to sail.

Exit quiz

Download exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
In 'Small Island', what do the stage directions, "a single bed, a small table and two chairs - one of which has a broken leg and rests on an old book", suggest about Gilbert's living conditions?
Comfortable and spacious
Correct answer: Dilapidated and cramped
Luxurious and well-furnished
Bright and inviting
Q2.
In 'Small Island' Hortense is described as "pristine" and dressed in "white". How does this compare to her surroundings in Act 2?
She blends in with the dim atmosphere
She appears disoriented and shocked
Correct answer: She juxtaposes the dilapidated and dismal room
She mirrors Gilbert's sense of disillusionment
Q3.
In Act 2 of 'Small Island', what does Hortense's reaction to Gilbert's room suggest about her feelings towards coming to England?
She is excited and eager to explore
Correct answer: She feels deceived and disappointed
She is indifferent and unimpressed
She is relieved to have finally arrived
Q4.
Which is the best description of the word euphemism?
A feeling of satisfaction at your achievements or situation
The act of not being loyal, or doing the opposite of what is said
Unfair or unreasonable opinions formed without thought or knowledge
Correct answer: The use of a word or phrase to avoid saying an offensive word or phrase
Q5.
In 'Small Island', how does Hortense describe her feelings when Gilbert doesn't meet her at the docks?
She feels like a queen
Correct answer: She feels like a fool
She feels like an animal
She feels like a child
Q6.
Select the words to complete this quote from 'Small Island', “A __________, __________realistic world.”
dim
Correct answer: grey
Correct answer: starkly
dismal
sad