In what ways is ‘Leave Taking’ a social commentary on 1980s Britain?
I can explain the ways in which ‘Leave Taking’ is a social commentary on aspects of 1980s Britain.
In what ways is ‘Leave Taking’ a social commentary on 1980s Britain?
I can explain the ways in which ‘Leave Taking’ is a social commentary on aspects of 1980s Britain.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- 'Leave Taking' could be interpreted as social commentary on 1980s Britain, particularly racist and classist attitudes.
- It could be argued that difficulties the characters face are based on the colour of their skin and their social class.
- Arguably, Enid places so much value on education as she believes it is a way of escaping their social class
- Pinnock includes two minor, off stage characters to develop her social commentary.
- Pinnock’s exploration of racism could reference racial tensions felt in Britain after increased migration following WW2.
Keywords
Intersectionality - a term describing how certain social categories (for example ethnicity, class, gender) can combine to create unique combinations of disadvantage or advantage
Social commentary - a text which explores and critiques particular problems in society
Racism - the unjust treatment of people based on the colour of their skin
Classism - unjust treatment of people based on their social class
Ethnicity - a way of grouping people who share certain attributes for example ancestry or language
Common misconception
There is no point talking about the minor characters in a play - they are not important.
Each character, no matter how seemingly insignificant, is crafted by the writer and placed in the text for a specific purpose. It is your job to consider what their purpose is.
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: In what ways is ‘Leave Taking’ a social commentary on 1980s Britain?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: In what ways is ‘Leave Taking’ a social commentary on 1980s Britain?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 english lessons from the Leave Taking: an intersectional analysis unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
friend of Brod and Enid's; the subject of a racist attack
Enid invites him over; Brod criticises him for lack of fervour
a Pastor who lives in Jamaica that Enid and Brod recall fondly
Enid's mother, with whom she had a difficult relationship
a young man who is not comfortable with his British identity