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Year 9

'Small Island': reading Act 1, Scenes 7 and 8

I can explain the importance of the marriage pact between Hortense and Gilbert and compare it to other relationships in Act 1.

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Year 9

'Small Island': reading Act 1, Scenes 7 and 8

I can explain the importance of the marriage pact between Hortense and Gilbert and compare it to other relationships in Act 1.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Gilbert and Hortense share visions of the middle class life that they will enjoy in England, as a teacher and lawyer.
  2. Gender is important as well as race - Hortense realises that marriage is her only opportunity to travel.
  3. Hortense is confident that her "pale skin" and education will buy her status in England.
  4. The pact between Gilbert and Hortense is more like a business deal.
  5. Comparative conjunctions can be used to explore similarities and differences.

Keywords

  • Pragmatic - dealing with things in a systematic and realistic way

  • Idealistic - viewing something as perfect even if the reality suggests something different

  • Assimilation - becoming a part of a group, country, society or culture

  • Aomparative conjunction - a word or phrase used to express similarities or differences

Common misconception

That only the women in Act 1 consider marriage almost like a business transaction.

What does Gilbert gain from his marriage to Hortense? How does he describe his feelings towards Hortense and what does this tell the audience?


To help you plan your year 9 english lesson on: 'Small Island': reading Act 1, Scenes 7 and 8, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Scene 7 contains descriptions of sexual acts and provocative language. Consider how you will manage the reading and discussion around this scene.
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Teacher tip
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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

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Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of sexual content
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision required

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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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.
In 'Small Island', what items does Celia say she will have in her home in England?
A wardrobe full of clothes
Correct answer: A lace tablecloth
Lots of money
Correct answer: Fine bone-china teacups
A giant front door
Q2.
In Act 1 Scene 5 of 'Small Island' who does Hortense mistake Gilbert for?
Correct Answer: Michael, michael, Michael., michael.
Q3.
In 'Small Island', Gilbert gives Hortense a nickname. What is it?
Correct Answer: Spitfire, spitfire, Spitfire., spitfire., spit fire
Q4.
In 'Small Island', what does Queenie learn about Bernard in Act 1 Scene 5?
He was shot and died on the battle field.
He is secretly living in London after being de-mobbed.
Correct answer: He served a short spell in military prison, before deciding to stay away.
He has gone missing and no one knows where he is.
Q5.
At the end of Act 1 Scene 6 in 'Small Island', why does Celia hit Hortense in the mouth?
Hortense reveals she is in love with Gilbert.
Hortense calls her a "big, clumsy oaf!"
Correct answer: Hortense ruins her chances of going to England.
Hortense ruins her clothes by accidentally knocking her over.
Gilbert admits he is in love with Hortense.
Q6.
Which one of these sentences does not use a fronted adverbial?
Correct answer: Hortense believes that Gilbert is Michael.
Additionally, Hortense's ominous look reveals her intentions.
Historically, the promises of the 'mother country' were not a reality.
Specifically, Celia's dream of a big house reveals her hopes and dreams.
For example, Elwood repeats the phrase "licky-licky".

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which answer best describes the word 'pragmatic'?
Viewing something as perfect even if the reality suggests something different.
Becoming a part of a group, country, society or culture.
Correct answer: Dealing with things in a systematic and realistic way.
Being too emotionally involved in things.
Q2.
In 'Small Island', what does Celia describe that presents an idealised view of England?
Correct answer: A big house
Rolling hills and valleys
Correct answer: Fine bone-china teacups
Correct answer: A lace tablecloth
Buckingham Palace
Q3.
In 'Small Island', what do we discover at the end of Act 1?
Hortense is pregnant with Gilbert's child.
Correct answer: Queenie is pregnant with Michael's child.
Celia is pregnant with Gilbert's child.
Queenie is pregnant with Bernard's child.
Q4.
In 'Small Island', why does Gilbert agree to marry Hortense?
Because he loves her
Because she is pregnant
Correct answer: Because she will give him the money for the boat fare
Because he doesn't want to be alone
Because he doesn't want to be with Celia
Q5.
Complete this quote from Act 1 Scene 7 of 'Small Island'. Hortense states "England is my...
ticket to success."
dream."
destiny."
Correct answer: golden life."
mother country."
Q6.
Which one of these sentences does not use a comparative conjunction?
Correct answer: Queenie and Hortense do not marry for love.
Likewise, Queenie believes that marriage offers a better life.
Similarly, Hortense's decision to marry is a pragmatic one.
However, Michael and Queenie’s relationship has an element of danger.
Whereas, Queenie and Michael's relationship is "electrifying".