a pivotal moment in the plot where the story takes a significant shift

a situation where the potential consequences of actions or decisions are significant

the quality of an action or event meaning that it cannot be undone or reversed

a person, event, or thing that triggers or accelerates a change or process, often bringing about significant transformation

Scene Three as a turning point in 'Leave Taking'

English

In this unit, pupils explore how Pinnock's use of stragecraft in 'Leave Taking' contributes to the play's themes and ideas. They first look at an overview of the play's stagecraft before exploring different settings and techniques in detail. They finally write an essay on generational conflict.

'Leave Taking': setting, structure and stagecraft

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

a minor event that has no impact on the plot

a decisive moment that shifts the plot and characters’ journeys

high stakes that drive character decisions

a minor challenge with no lasting effects

characters staying unchanged by the event

Which of the following elements is most crucial for a successful turning point in drama?

characters can undo their actions later in the plot

the plot can revert back to its earlier state

once the turning point occurs, the consequences are final and cannot be undone

it has no lasting impact on the story’s resolution

Which statement best describes 'irreversibility' in the context of a turning point?

Whose death at the end of Scene Three of 'Leave Taking' can be considered a turning point in the play?

it allows Enid to fully embrace British culture, abandoning her roots

it forces Enid to face unresolved issues with identity and her daughters

it has little impact, and Enid raises her daughters the same way

it encourages Enid to return to Jamaica and reconnect with her heritage

Why is Mooma’s death a catalyst for Enid’s transformation in 'Leave Taking'?

Enid’s only challenge is accepting her daughters’ life choices

Enid’s stakes are low as she’s detached from her cultural heritage

Enid risks losing both her cultural roots and her daughters’ relationships

Mooma’s death brings no significant consequences for Enid

How do 'high stakes' manifest in Enid’s decisions after Mooma’s death in 'Leave Taking'?

If a situation has 'high stakes' then the potential consequences arising from it are...

In 'Leave Taking', some characters are spoken about but never seen on stage. Which of the below are examples of this?

Enid learning Viv has walked out of one of her exams.

Enid preparing for the visit of the pastor.

Scene Three of 'Leave Taking' ends with...

Which of the below are reasonable synonyms of the word 'catalyst'?

A matriarch is a woman who rules, leads or controls a family. Which of the characters in 'Leave Taking' are presented as matriarchs?

she stole some stockings from her uncle's wife

she would sometimes disappear to spend time in secret places alone

she brought up her children in rural poverty

she completed hard manual labour every day of her life

In Scene Four of 'Leave Taking', Enid tells Viv things about her mother. What do we find out?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

Starter Quiz