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Year 9

'Small Island': reading the beginning of Act 1 Scene 3

I can explain the events of Act 1 Scene 3 and how the character of Gilbert is established.

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New
New
Year 9

'Small Island': reading the beginning of Act 1 Scene 3

I can explain the events of Act 1 Scene 3 and how the character of Gilbert is established.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Gilbert is motivated by a desire to fight against Hitler and his Nazi racial theories.
  2. Gilbert is portrayed as gullible, whereas his cousin Elwood is more cynical about their 'mother country'.
  3. Gilbert breaks the fourth wall, addressing the audience to show them the reality of his posting with the RAF.
  4. The sarcasm and demeaning tone of the Sergeant in Lincolnshire is deliberately contrasted with the recruiting officer.
  5. Gilbert joins the RAF to fight for the British Empire, yet he finds that in Britain there's no sense of shared identity.

Common misconception

The Jamaican characters all have a cynical view of Britain and the British empire.

The reality is more nuanced. Whilst characters like Elwood are openly critical, some characters (like Gilbert) are more positive, buying into wartime narratives of fighting for their 'mother country'.

Keywords

  • Sarcasm - the use of remarks that clearly mean the opposite of what they say

  • Gullible - easily persuaded or willing to believe most things

  • Cynical - not trusting or unwilling to believe that there are good intentions

  • Ideology - a system of ideas, values or beliefs

  • Colloquial - describes language that is informal or casual everyday language

In learning cycle 1 there is an opportunity to explore WW1 and WW2 propaganda and its effects in more depth. Share other images of posters and explore how they persuaded people to enlist and what they suggested about war.
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

  • Contains strong language
  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • 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).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In 'Small Island', what do the characters Michael and Bernard both sign up for after dramatic events?
Correct Answer: RAF, Royal Air Force, the RAF, the raf, royal air force
Q2.
Where is Scene 2 set in 'Small Island'?
Jamaica in a hurricane
Correct answer: In London during WWII
On the HMT Windrush
At Mr Philip's house
Q3.
In 'Small Island', how does Edmundson use the house in Scene 2 to reflect Bernard's characterisation?
The house is modern and lively
The house is luxurious and colourful
Correct answer: The house is old-fashioned and dowdy
The house is small and cramped
Q4.
In 'Small Island', who is the first character to use direct address?
Queenie
Michael
Correct answer: Hortense
Bernard
Mrs Ryder
Q5.
Starting with the first, put these events from Act 1 Scene 2 of 'Small Island' into chronological order.
1 - Bernard and Queenie are arguing over furniture which Queenie wants to donate.
2 - Queenie addresses the audience and tells them about her upbringing.
3 - Queenie agrees to marry Bernard after her Aunt Dot dies.
4 - The air raid siren begins to wail and the house is bombed.
5 - Bernard tells Queenie he loves her and then joins up for the RAF.
6 - Michael enters Queenie's house.
Q6.
In 'Small Island' what dramatic device does Edmundson use to enable characters to share their histories?
Direct address
Motif
Correct answer: Flashback
Metaphor
Monologue

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In 'Small Island', which term best describes Elwood's attitude towards Gilbert's decision to enlist?
Correct answer: Cynical
Patriotic
Gullible
Proud
Q2.
In 'Small Island' Elwood asks Gilbert "why you wanna go licky-licky to the British?". What describes this types of language use?
Formal
Correct answer: Colloquial
Exaggerated
Patriotic
Q3.
In 'Small Island' Scene 3, which dramatic techniques are used that are also found in Scenes 1 and 2?
Soliloquy
Correct answer: Motif
Correct answer: Direct address
Pathetic fallacy
Foreshadowing
Q4.
Match the quotes from 'Small Island' to either Elwood or Gilbert.
Correct Answer:Elwood,"Why you wanna lose your life for a white man?"

"Why you wanna lose your life for a white man?"

Correct Answer:Gilbert ,"Have you heard what this Hitler fellow is saying?"

"Have you heard what this Hitler fellow is saying?"

Correct Answer:Elwood,"This war will change nothing for you and me."

"This war will change nothing for you and me."

Correct Answer:Gilbert,"I will be an air-gunner. And I will go to an English university".

"I will be an air-gunner. And I will go to an English university".

Correct Answer:Elwood,"Man, the English are liars."

"Man, the English are liars."

Correct Answer:Gilbert,"I tell you what this is about - you are jealous."

"I tell you what this is about - you are jealous."

Q5.
In 'Small Island' what role does Gilbert get assigned when he joins the RAF in England?
air-gunner
pilot
Correct answer: coal truck driver
sniper
paramedic
Q6.
In 'Small Island', how does Gilbert describe the reactions of the people in the village.
Hostile
Correct answer: Curious
Correct answer: Fearful
Correct answer: Amazed
Confrontational