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Year 10
AQA

Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking': the character of Brod

I can explain Brod's dramatic function in Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking'.

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Year 10
AQA

Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking': the character of Brod

I can explain Brod's dramatic function in Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking'.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A dramatic function is the purpose of the character: how they help the playwright develop ideas they want to explore.
  2. Pinnock could have cut the character of Brod, but chose not to.
  3. Brod offers insight into Enid's past.
  4. Brod voices political and social criticisms.

Keywords

  • Dramatic function - The purpose of a particular character or prop in a play. What they, or it, help us understand further about the playwright’s messages.

  • Social criticism - Work that explores issues in society, especially issues of injustice.

  • Political criticism - Work that explores political issues and policies in society.

  • Belonging - The feeling that you are accepted in a group, community or society.

Common misconception

Brod contrasts Enid in every way.

Brod and Enid clash over education, Jamaica and England, but they also have many commonalities: their past and their migration.

Consider if students have read other plays in which a more minor character serves a clear dramatic function. This might help them understand the key concept more deeply.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You 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.
Brod is a character in 'Leave Taking'. What do we know of him?
He and Enid have the same mother.
He was married to Enid.
Correct answer: He has known Enid since childhood.
Correct answer: He migrated from Jamaica.
He is of the same generation as Del.
Q2.
In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Brod reminds Viv that he "know you mother long before you was ."
Correct Answer: born, Born, born., Born., "born"
Q3.
In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Brod recalls what happened to a friend of his. What are we told?
He was fired from his job because of racial discrimination.
He wrote a letter to the Home Office.
Correct answer: He was the subject of a racist attack.
He was hunted down by the police.
He was coming over with the Pastor.
Q4.
Brod is in three scenes of 'Leave Taking'. Match the scenes to their plot points.
Correct Answer:Scene Two,argues with Enid about Jamaica and England

argues with Enid about Jamaica and England

Correct Answer:Scene Three,talks to Enid about her daughters; hears of Mooma's death

talks to Enid about her daughters; hears of Mooma's death

Correct Answer:Scene Seven,tells Del that her father abused her mother

tells Del that her father abused her mother

Q5.
In Scene Seven of 'Leave Taking', what does Brod tell Del?
Correct answer: That his wife and children live in Jamaica.
Correct answer: That her father used to abuse her mother.
That the Pastor is coming over.
That Viv is going to university.
Correct answer: That Enid has chucked him and Viv out.
Q6.
In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Enid and Brod clash over the choices Enid makes about raising her children. Brod says, "You teaching these children all ."
Correct Answer: wrong, Wrong, wrong., Wrong., "wrong"

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In 'Leave Taking', how many scenes does the character of Brod appear in?
1
2
Correct answer: 3
4
5
Q2.
In 'Leave Taking', in what ways does the character of Brod serve as a contrast to Enid?
He migrated from Jamaica; Enid was born in England.
He doesn't have children; Enid does.
He has never been patriotic; Enid always has.
Correct answer: He is critical of England; Enid rarely is.
Correct answer: He reveals Enid's past; she hides it.
Q3.
In 'Leave Taking', what is Brod's role in Viv's life?
Correct answer: Someone who wants her to know about her Jamaican roots.
Someone who pressures her into going to university.
Correct answer: Someone who tells her about her mother's past.
Someone she can move in with if things break down with her mother.
Someone who can support her financially at university.
Q4.
In 'Leave Taking', how does Pinnock establish Brod's isolation?
He doesn't have a family.
Correct answer: His children live far away.
Correct answer: He doesn't feel a sense of belonging in England.
He is unable to establish a relationship with Mai.
Correct answer: He relies on alcohol for support.
Q5.
Pinnock wrote 'Leave Taking' when she was 23. When it was commissioned to be performed, what was she asked to do by the Liverpool Playhouse Studio?
Add more characters.
Develop the relationship between Brod and Enid.
et the play in London
Correct answer: reduce the cast of characters
include the character of Brod
Q6.
In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Brod says Jamaica is impoverished. He says, "An' why they poor? Because a colonialism. [...] They [the British] suck the outta the island, suck them dry."
Correct Answer: blood, Blood, blood., Blood., "blood"