'Small Island': reading Act 1, Scenes 4-6
I can explain the events of Act 1, Scenes 4-6 and use fronted adverbials to develop my comments.
'Small Island': reading Act 1, Scenes 4-6
I can explain the events of Act 1, Scenes 4-6 and use fronted adverbials to develop my comments.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Scene 4 marks the end of the war and the hopeful, celebratory atmosphere post WWII.
- Edmundson explores the aftermath of WWII and its impacts on women like Queenie and Hortense.
- Britain represents opportunities and an aspirational life.
- Gilbert and Elwood represent oppositional attitudes towards migration.
- Fronted adverbials can be used to develop comments and introduce evidence.
Keywords
Aspirational - being ambitious or desiring success, linked to status
Quintessential - representing the most perfect or typical example of something
Interconnected - different parts or things being linked or related
Ominous - suggesting that something bad is going to happen; also threatening and menacing
Assimilate - to become part of a group, country, society or culture
Common misconception
In 'Small Island' England is presented as a bad place and Jamaica as a good place.
Look at what is happening at the start of Scene 6, why is the situation volatile? What does the discussion between Gilbert and Elwood reveal about the realities in both Jamaica and England?
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
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Jamaica bracing itself for a hurricane.
Pathe style news footage of 'The Blitz Spirit'.
On the stage, the auditorium of a cinema in a town in Lincolnshire.
"And I will go to an English university".
"Why you wanna go licky-licky to the British?"
"there is a whole world out there where real things are happening."
"In the end it was a tragedy that brought things to a head."
"I would prefer to stay at home."
Exit quiz
6 Questions
"Man, you some kind of Spitfire!"
"You are a big, clumsy oaf!"
"You got to have a little faith. When we in charge of Jamaica..."
"I will have a lace tablecloth and fine bone-china teacups."