New
New
Year 11
Eduqas

Viv's relationship with the education system in Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking'

I can describe Viv’s character arc in ‘Leave Taking’, with a specific focus on the importance of Scene Two in terms of Viv’s rejection of the education system.

New
New
Year 11
Eduqas

Viv's relationship with the education system in Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking'

I can describe Viv’s character arc in ‘Leave Taking’, with a specific focus on the importance of Scene Two in terms of Viv’s rejection of the education system.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Viv’s relationship with the formal education system changes over the course of the play.
  2. Arguably, Brod acts as a catalyst for Viv’s questioning of what she is being taught in school.
  3. Viv quotes from Shakespeare and Rupert Brooke in Scene Two.
  4. Arguably, through Viv’s quotations, Pinnock is asking us to consider the Eurocentric nature of Viv’s schooling.
  5. Viv’s studying Black Studies at uni could suggest she will find the next step of her formal education more fulfilling.

Keywords

  • Eurocentric - when there is a focus on European culture or history, ignoring or excluding cultures and history from the wider world

  • Informal education - the learning that occurs outside formal settings; a lifelong education in which you learn about yourself and the world

  • Formal education - teaching and learning that happens in institutions and follows a particular curriculum

  • Rupert Brooke - an English poet (1887-1915) remembered particularly for his poetry about World War One

  • Character arc - the way in which a character changes, transforms or develops over the course of a text

Common misconception

Viv irrevocably rejects the formal education system.

Viv questions what she is learning and why, but stays within formal education, perhaps because of her chosen university course which may reflect her experiences and identity in a way that her schooling hasn't.

Viv only quotes from a section of Rupert Brooke's 'The Soldier'. Consider if you, or your class, would benefit from reading the whole poem.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You need access to a copy of Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking'.

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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6 Questions

Q1.
In 'Leave Taking', which character suggests that Viv should question what she is being taught at school?
Enid
Del
Mai
Correct answer: Brod
Q2.
Match these key words to their definitions. Each word helps us understand Pinnock's exploration of education in 'Leave Taking'.
Correct Answer:formal education,learning that happens in institutions

learning that happens in institutions

Correct Answer:informal education,learning that occurs outside a formal setting

learning that occurs outside a formal setting

Correct Answer:Eurocentric,a focus on European culture, ignoring culture from the wider world

a focus on European culture, ignoring culture from the wider world

Q3.
How does Scene Two of 'Leave Taking' begin?
with Enid and Del fighting
with Brod drinking
Correct answer: with Enid cleaning, and Viv studying
with an obeah reading
with Enid learning her mother has died
Q4.
Viv appears in five scenes of 'Leave Taking'. Match her scenes to their plot points.
Correct Answer:Scene One,is taken to an obeah reading; wants to ask about her exam results

is taken to an obeah reading; wants to ask about her exam results

Correct Answer:Scene Two ,studies whilst Enid cleans the house

studies whilst Enid cleans the house

Correct Answer:Scene Three,expresses that she wants to take a gap year

expresses that she wants to take a gap year

Correct Answer:Scene Four,Enid gives her money for university

Enid gives her money for university

Correct Answer:Scene Five,skips one of her A Level exams

skips one of her A Level exams

Q5.
Why does Viv skip one of her A Level exams in Scene Five of 'Leave Taking'?
she wants to impress Del
Brod tells her to
Enid has agreed that she can take a gap year
she wants to become an obeah woman rather than go to university
Correct answer: she wants to rebel against the formal education system
Q6.
In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Enid and Brod disagree about the value of of Del and Viv knowing about their Jamaican heritage. Brod says, "You these girls all wrong."
Correct Answer: teaching, teaching., Teaching., "teaching", Teaching

6 Questions

Q1.
In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', which two writers does Viv quote?
Pinnock
Nanny of the Maroons
Robert Brooke
Correct answer: Rupert Brooke
Correct answer: Shakespeare
Q2.
A is the term used to define how a character changes, transforms or develops over the course of a text.
Correct Answer: character arc, character Arc, Character Arc, Character arc., character arc.
Q3.
In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Viv quotes from 'Macbeth', a Shakespeare play. She says "Out, out damned spot." Why does she say this?
to show off
to question her Eurocentric education
Correct answer: she is making a joke as Enid cleans the floor
she wants to be an actress
Enid asks her to tell Brod who she is
Q4.
In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Enid quotes from Rupert Brooke's poem, 'The Soldier'. Why does Pinnock choose this poem in particular?
this poem also features in 'Macbeth', that Viv quoted from earlier
Correct answer: to draw attention to Viv's Eurocentric knowledge base
it is one of Enid's favourite poems
it is a poem about being a second generation migrant
Correct answer: its patriotism contrasts with Viv's feelings about England
Q5.
In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Viv quotes from Shakespeare. Enid repeats the quotation as she cleans the floor and Viv says, "It's not a spell".
Correct Answer: magic, "magic", Magic, Magic., magic.
Q6.
In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Viv quotes from a poem of Rupert Brooke. How does Enid respond to Viv's recitation of this poem?
she applauds
she repeats the quotation
Correct answer: she doesn't know how to respond
she asks Viv to recite more
she asks her if she knows who Nanny of the Maroons is