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Year 9

'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scenes 2 to 4

I can explain and discuss the events of Act 2, Scenes 2 to 4.

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Year 9

'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scenes 2 to 4

I can explain and discuss the events of Act 2, Scenes 2 to 4.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Miss Todd, much like Bernard, represents the racist and outdated attitudes present in society.
  2. Edmundson includes brutal dialogue, to show the racial slurs and abuse endured by Gilbert and Hortense.
  3. Hortense and Gilbert see important characters from their lives which allows the audience to see their internal thoughts.
  4. Edmundson explores the concept of home and belonging.
  5. Edmundson foregrounds the emotional experiences of the Caribbean diaspora.

Keywords

  • Facetious - using humour to comment or remark on a serious issue

  • Mind's eye - what you see in your imagination

  • Genteel - associated with a high social class and meant to show exaggerated politeness and respectability

  • Depersonalise - to remove from a person the qualities that make them; to take away someone's identity

  • Turmoil - a state of confusion or uncertainty

Common misconception

The Windrush generation entered Britain illegally.

Those coming from the British Commonwealth were considered citizens. Migrants like Hortense and Gilbert were actively encouraged to believe that Britain was their 'home'.


To help you plan your year 9 english lesson on: 'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scenes 2 to 4, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Scenes 3 and 4 contains explicit racist language and other swear words. It is important to consider how this scene is read and discussed. You may wish to skip the scenes all together and Task A Q2.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

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

Content guidance

  • Contains strong language
  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

copyright

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' Act 2 Scene 1, Hortense is wearing "the white hat and gloves she wore for her wedding" - what does this suggest about her feelings towards coming to England?
That she is worried and wants to remind Gilbert of their wedding day.
Correct answer: It emphasises how importantly she views migrating to England.
That she is nervous and wants to ensure everyone knows she is married.
It reveals how much she loves Gilbert.
Q2.
In 'Small Island', what does Gilbert's dilapidated room symbolise in the text?
His newfound wealth and success
Correct answer: His disappointment and shattered dreams
His comfort and contentment
His strong sense of identity and belonging
Q3.
Starting wth the first, put these events from 'Small Island' Act 2 Scene 1 in to chronological order.
1 - The setting is described as "a grey, starkly realistic world".
2 - The doorbell rings and Hortense has arrived in a "pristine white coat".
3 - Amidst her shock and disappointment Hortense meets Queenie and Kenneth.
4 - Gilbert admits he is "so tired" from working nights he accidentally fell asleep.
5 - Gilbert reveals the discrimination he has encountered with "faces that cloud".
6 - Hortense exclaims "you make me come here to live like an animal!"
7 - Gilbert gets angry and shouts "you are lucky!" to Hortense.
Q4.
In 'Small Island' Act 2 Scene 1, what does Hortense suggest Gilbert sleeps on?
Correct Answer: a chair, chair
Q5.
In 'Small Island', how does Act 2 Scene 1 contrast with Act 1 regarding the characters' expectations and reality?
Act 2 Scene 1 confirms the characters' unrealistic expectations.
Act 2 Scene 1 reveals the characters' adaptation to reality.
Correct answer: Act 2 Scene 1 shatters the characters' hopeful expectations.
Act 2 Scene 1 reinforces the characters' positive outlook.
Q6.
In 'Small Island' Act 2 Scene 1, what does the euphemism "there are children" actually imply?
The presence of innocent youngsters
A noisy and lively neighborhood
Correct answer: Racial prejudice and discrimination
Financial struggles and hardship

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What does the term "facetious" mean?
Being serious about a topic.
Correct answer: Using humor to address a serious issue.
Displaying genuine politeness and respectability.
Showing confusion or uncertainty.
Q2.
In 'Small Island', what does Miss Todd's language reveal about her attitude towards Queenie's lodgers?
She respects and admires them.
Correct answer: She depersonalises them, indicating a racist attitude.
She is genuinely curious about them.
She views them as equals.
Q3.
In 'Small Island', Act 2 Scene 3 who does Gilbert see in his "mind's eye"?
Correct Answer: Elwood
Q4.
In 'Small Island', Act 2 Scene 4 who does Hortense see in her "mind's eye"?
Correct Answer: Miss Jewel
Q5.
In 'Small Island' Act 2 Scene 4, what does the inclusion of Wordsworth's poem "Daffodils" represent?
It symbolises the characters' love for nature.
Correct answer: It reflects Hortense's idealised view of Britain.
It showcases the characters' literary knowledge.
It serves as a metaphor for the characters' aspirations.
Q6.
Which word beginning with 'g', is used to describe Miss Todd in 'Small Island'?
Correct Answer: genteel