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Year 11
AQA

The importance of the character of Brod in Winsome Pinnock’s ‘Leave Taking’

I can explain the role Brod plays in ‘Leave Taking’ as a foil to the character of Enid, and a catalyst for the character of Viv.

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Year 11
AQA

The importance of the character of Brod in Winsome Pinnock’s ‘Leave Taking’

I can explain the role Brod plays in ‘Leave Taking’ as a foil to the character of Enid, and a catalyst for the character of Viv.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Jamaica was colonised by the British in 1655.
  2. Until Jamaica achieved independence in 1962, its education system was largely Eurocentric.
  3. Arguably, Brod is a foil to Enid: he criticises British institutions, policies and attitudes in a way that she does not.
  4. Arguably, Brod is a catalyst for Viv’s questioning of her education.

Keywords

  • Indoctrinate - when you make people believe something; a less formal synonym is to brainwash

  • Catalyst - something that causes a change or event to occur

  • Foil - a character who contrasts with another character

  • Commonwealth - an international association of 56 independent countries, many of which used to be British colonies

  • Colonisation - when a country establishes control over another country, exploiting it for economic gain

Common misconception

Brod has never been patriotic.

Brod expresses that he loved and respected England until his naturalisation process which destabilised his sense of self and opened his eyes to some of the injustices he faces, in his present and his past.

Consider if your students are ready to create the topic sentences and concluding sentences in both practice tasks by themselves. If so, delete the examples.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking' published by Nick Hern Books.

Content guidance

  • Contains strong language
  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

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).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
The character of Brod is in three scenes of 'Leave Taking'. Match the scenes to their plot points.
Correct Answer:Scene Two,spends an evening with Enid having dinner with a Pastor

spends an evening with Enid having dinner with a Pastor

Correct Answer:Scene Three,is with Enid when she learns of her mother's death

is with Enid when she learns of her mother's death

Correct Answer:Scene Seven,wakes up, hungover, at Mai's house after Enid throws him out

wakes up, hungover, at Mai's house after Enid throws him out

Q2.
Brod, a character in 'Leave Taking', has an influence and impact on each of the Matthews women. Match his influence to the character.
Correct Answer:Enid,supports her, but also challenges the way she brings up her daughters

supports her, but also challenges the way she brings up her daughters

Correct Answer:Viv,encourages her to explore her cultural heritage

encourages her to explore her cultural heritage

Correct Answer:Del,explains a difficult period of her mother's life to her

explains a difficult period of her mother's life to her

Q3.
Enid and Brod, two characters from 'Leave Taking', are presented as having migrated from Jamaica to Britain post war. Why was there a mass migration movement from the West Indies to Jamaica after WW2?
Correct answer: Jamaica was part of the Commonwealth: citizens had the right to enter Britain.
Correct answer: There was a labour shortage in Britain: people were encouraged to come and work.
Britain was a prosperous and welcoming country.
Correct answer: Many Caribbeans had fought for Britain and had a strong sense of Britishness.
The housing available was affordable and luxurious.
Q4.
In Scene One of 'Leave Taking', Enid says she wants to go to the West Indies because " says you don't know who you are 'less you've been there."
Correct Answer: Uncle Brod, uncle brod, Brod, brod, uncle Brod
Q5.
Like Enid and Brod in 'Leave Taking', Pinnock's parents migrated to Britain. Pinnock describes how they "didn't complain and discussed hardships" despite the difficulties they faced in Britain."
Correct Answer: rarely, Rarely, "rarely", Rarely., rarely.
Q6.
In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Brod describes how he had to pay to become a British citizen in a naturalisation process. Why does this anger him so much?
Correct answer: He already considered himself British; this process undermines his identity.
He has to naturalise himself, but also his family who he considers British.
Correct answer: He has been extremely patriotic all his life. The process feels like a betrayal.
Correct answer: He has lived in Britain for over 30 years; his sense of home has been destroyed.
He can't believe how much it costs; he thinks it should be cheaper.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match these keywords, all important in the analysis of 'Leave Taking', to their definitions.
Correct Answer:catalyst,something or someone that causes a change or event to occur

something or someone that causes a change or event to occur

Correct Answer:foil ,a character who contrasts with another character

a character who contrasts with another character

Correct Answer:dramatic function,the purpose of a character in the play

the purpose of a character in the play

Q2.
In 'Leave Taking', how are we first introduced to the character of Brod?
through Del, who complains of his excessive drinking
through Enid, who explains how much she relies on him
when he comes to have dinner with the Pastor
Correct answer: through Viv, who says that he has encouraged her to visit the West Indies
through Mai, who gives him an obeah reading
Q3.
In 'Leave Taking', in what ways is Brod a foil to Enid?
He doesn't have any children, unlike Enid.
He has a dramatic function, unlike Enid.
Correct answer: He criticises Britain, unlike Enid.
He criticises Viv, unlike Enid.
Correct answer: He thinks Viv should explore her cultural heritage, unlike Enid.
Q4.
In her introduction to 'Leave Taking', Enid discusses the effect of the colonialist education her parents' generation received in Jamaica. What does she say of its effects?
Correct answer: that it promoted British culture to the detriment of Jamaica's culture
Correct answer: that it created a one dimensional view of Britain
that is was a mainly positive use of colonialist force
Correct answer: that it indoctrinated its citizens to believe Britain was unquestionably great
Q5.
In 'Leave Taking', why does Viv skip one of her A Level exams?
Del encourages her to to get back at Enid.
Correct answer: Brod is a catalyst for Viv's reacting against the British education system.
Brod tells her to so she can catalyse her exploration of Jamaica.
Del is a catalyst for Viv's reacting against Enid after she leaves home.
Pinnock uses this as a catalyst to explore her character.
Q6.
In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Brod blames the legacy of colonialism for Jamaica's poverty. He states, "An' why they poor? Because a colonialism. Imperialism. ..."
Correct Answer: Vampirism, vampirism, Vampirism., vampirism., "Vampirism"