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Year 9

'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scenes 7 and 8

I can explain the events of Act 2 Scenes 7 and 8 and explore Edmundson’s use of symbolism.

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New
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Year 9

'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scenes 7 and 8

I can explain the events of Act 2 Scenes 7 and 8 and explore Edmundson’s use of symbolism.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Bernard's behaviour is a poignant reminder of the racist and discriminatory attitudes of the time.
  2. Parallels can be drawn between Bernard and Miss Todd.
  3. Edmundson uses symbolism to explore the theme of hope.
  4. Bernard's reaction to the baby encapsulates a promise of reparation and hope.

Common misconception

Bernard completely rejects Queenie's baby due to his racial prejudices.

What does the baby symbolise? How does Edmundson use Benard's behaviour to hint at the potential for reparation and change.

Keywords

  • Symbolism - the use of images to represent specific ideas or themes

  • Reparation - the action of repairing something. To make amends to those that have been wronged or harmed

  • Poignant - evoking a strong emotional response. Revealing a significant meaning

  • Encapsulate - to show or represent the most important features of something

  • Parallel - describing something that is similar to something else.

Scene 7 contains explicit racist language. It is important to consider how this scene is read and discussed. You may wish to skip the scene all together. You may also choose to skip the questions in the first part of Task A.
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
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

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

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Who is Miss Todd in the play 'Small Island'?
The school teacher Hortense worked with.
Correct answer: Queenie's neighbour.
The wife of Bernard's army friend.
Q2.
In Act 2, Scene 6 of 'Small Island', Bernard returns from a long absence. What happened to him?
Correct answer: He has been back in England for four months but has been in Brighton.
He was injured in the war and had to recover.
He had to help his friend Maxi when he got into trouble in India.
Q3.
In Act 2, Scene 5 of 'Small Island', Bernard meets Gilbert for the first time. Complete the quote: "Bernard the door in Gilbert's face."
Correct Answer: slams
Q4.
What is being defined here? 'The use of images to represent specific ideas or themes.'
Correct Answer: symbolism, symbol, a symbol
Q5.
In 'Small Island', Edmundson uses the quintessential of London to create an idealistic view of England.
Correct Answer: imagery
Q6.
Match the character from 'Small Island' to the correct quote.
Correct Answer:Queenie,"(Quietly) Ridiculous woman."

"(Quietly) Ridiculous woman."

Correct Answer:Bernard,"Are you telling me...you've been sharing this house with...?"

"Are you telling me...you've been sharing this house with...?"

Correct Answer:Miss Todd,"I'm quite sure that Mr Bligh would not approve of this sitution..."

"I'm quite sure that Mr Bligh would not approve of this sitution..."

Correct Answer:Gilbert,"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr...."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr...."

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In Act 2, Scenes 7 and 8 of 'Small Island', which characters can we draw parallels between because of their views?
Queenie and Bernard
Correct answer: Bernard and Miss Todd
Gilbert and Miss Todd
Gilbert and Bernard
Q2.
In 'Small Island', Edmundson uses the symbolism of a “hummingbird” to represent ...
Correct answer: hope.
nature.
devastation.
Q3.
Match the key terms to their definitions.
Correct Answer:reparation,To make amends to those that have been wronged or harmed.

To make amends to those that have been wronged or harmed.

Correct Answer:poignant ,To cause a sharp feeling of sadness or upset.

To cause a sharp feeling of sadness or upset.

Correct Answer:encapsulate,To show or represent the most important features of something.

To show or represent the most important features of something.

Correct Answer:parallel,Describing something that is similar to something else.

Describing something that is similar to something else.

Q4.
In Act 2, Scene 8 of 'Small Island', How does Bernard react to the arrival of Queenie's baby?
with shock and horror
he is unsure how to feel
Correct answer: he is welcoming of the baby
Q5.
Which sentence is the word 'poignant' used in correctly?
Correct answer: Bernard’s behaviour is a poignant moment that reveals the possibility of hope.
Poignant Bernard’s behaviour is a moment that reveals the possibility of hope.
Bernard’s behaviour is a moment that reveals the possibility of poignant hope.
Q6.
Starting with the first, put the plot points from Act 2, Scenes 7-8 of 'Small Island' in chronological order.
1 - Bernard wants the lodgers out of the house, including Gilbert and Hortense.
2 - Gilbert and Bernard have a fight.
3 - Queenie goes into labour and Hortense helps Queenie deliver the baby.
4 - It becomes obvious the baby is Michael's.
5 - Queenie has a vision of Michael.
6 - Bernard comforts the baby and shows him affection.
7 - Bernard tells Queenie about his experience in India.