New
New
Year 9
'Small Island': reading the start of Act Scene 1
I can explain how the character of Hortense is established in the opening scene.
New
New
Year 9
'Small Island': reading the start of Act Scene 1
I can explain how the character of Hortense is established in the opening scene.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Hortense narrates her origins directly to the audience, joined by a younger Hortense.
- Windrush tales often have a male bias, yet this story foregrounds Hortense's experience.
- Hortense's comment about being the "heroine" of the situation opens questions about the dominance of 'white' history.
- Hortense is forced to change her behaviour and accent to become "decent", according to her adoptive family.
Keywords
Conform - to behave according to expectations and usual standards
Direct address - where a speaker talks directly to the audience
Flashback - a scene that is set earlier than the main story
Dominance - to have power and authority
Common misconception
All relevant information comes only from the dialogue in plays.
What is the role of stage directions? Explore how they are crafted to further characterisation. What extra information do they give us?
Task B could be completed in small groups or as a whole class 'role on the wall' style activity.
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 sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
- Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Supervision
Adult supervision required
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).Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Where are the locations that 'Small Island' is set?
Nigeria
Northern Ireland
Q2.
When was 'Small Island' first performed?
1999
1989
1979
Q3.
When exploring literary texts we need to consider themes. What is a theme?
the narrative arc
a character presented in different ways
exploration of stage directions
Q4.
What are the historical events that are most prominent in 'Small Island'?
WW1
The Titanic set sail
Q5.
'Small Island' is an adaptation of the novel with the same name. What does the word 'adaptation' mean?
the process of modifying a story line to fit a specific historical context
the evolution of characters in a novel to better suit a diverse audience
the act of condensing a lengthy literary work into a shorter version
Q6.
'Small Island' is told through different stories and multiple voices. What word describes this literary technique?
Monologue
Soliloquy
Dialogic
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
In 'Small Island', when Hortense stops and speaks to the audience, this is an example of ...
a rhetorical question.
emotive language.
hyperbole.
Q2.
In 'Small Island' the stage directions describe 'Jamaica bracing itself'. This is an example of ...
metaphor
simile
hyperbole
irony
Q3.
Pathé were famous for ...
publishing Jamaican novels.
distributing current affair magazines.
reporting on extreme weather conditions.
Q4.
In 'Small Island', Hortense addresses the audience "conspiratorially". What does this mean?
Openly and honestly, sharing information transparently.
Anxiously, reflecting a state of nervous anticipation.
Nonchalantly, indicating a casual or indifferent attitude
Q5.
In 'Small Island' how does Mr. Philip describe his house?
religious
wealthy
respectful
Q6.
Complete this quote from 'Small Island'. Little Hortense says "I wa a life".