an academic who explores how texts present the role and place of women in society

a text which explores and critiques particular problems in society

a woman who rules, leads or controls a family

a short quotation at the beginning of a text which suggests some of its important themes

the quality of being the most important or significant to something, or being central to it

The presentation of the matriarchy in Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking'

English

In 'Leave Taking: The Power of Education', pupils explored how alack of Black representation in education and literature impacts sense of identity. In 'Leave Taking: An Intersectional Analysis', pupils focus on the specific experiences of Black Women in the play.

In this unit, pupls complete an intersectional analysis of 'Leave Taking'. They first learn about intersectionality, and then apply it to 'Leave Taking'. They look at 1980s Britian, matriarchy, male characters and Black British experiences before writing an essay about coming of age in the play.

Modern text: second deep dive

Expressions that are regarded as coarse or otherwise unacceptable, including swear words and rude words.

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

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

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Who does Pinnock dedicate 'Leave Taking' to?

In her introduction to 'Leave Taking', Pinnock says that when she re-reads her play now, she sees her "younger self consulting with my ...".

In Scene Six of 'Leave Taking', what one-word quotation does Enid use to describe the feeling of pressure on her chest?

Is the answer true or false? In her introduction to 'Leave Taking', Pinnock says that her mother was a "single parent" at a time when there was still "stigma" surrounding such things.

An {{ }} is a short quotation at the beginning of a text which suggests some of its important themes.

Pinnock begins 'Leave Taking' with two epigraphs from which two feminist critics?

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

for her knowledge of the naturalisation process

she is someone people turn to in times of crisis

for her support of Brod, and others like him

for her willingness to take in other people's children

In 'Leave Taking', why is the character of Mai important to the Caribbean community in North London?

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?

She accepts the help, on the condition that Viv moves in with her and Mai

She says she doesn't need help because she is getting back together with Roy

She rejects it saying she needs to get on with her own life without Viv's help

She gets down on her knees and thanks her

In Scene Five of 'Leave Taking', Viv offers to help Del with the her baby when it is born. How does Del respond?

Their determination to bring up their children by themselves

In 'Leave Taking', the characters of Del and Enid are often present in conflict. How does Pinnock draw attention to their similarities?

In Scene Six of 'Leave Taking', what does Mai describe as "dead" to express her her emotional exhaustion?

Content guidance

Contains strong language

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

Starter Quiz