'Small Island': reading the start of Act Scene 1

English

In 'Small Island', pupils explore the ways in which transferring Levy's novel onto the stage enables both the playwright and the director to powerfully evoke its ideas about race, identity and belonging. In 'Leave Taking', pupils build on their learning about the Windrush Generation to explore the cultural and generational conflicts, that can arise as a result of migration. 

In 'The Tempest', pupils examine the roles of Caliban and Ariel and how they are treated as outsiders, questioning who has a rightful claim to the island. In 'Small Island', pupils look at the play in the context of the Windrush generation and through the lens of key themes, including identity and belonging.  

In this unit, pupils explore the playtext adaptation of Andrea Levy's novel 'Small Island'. They first explore the transition from novel to stage, before reading the playtext in full and exploring key scenes in detail. They then plan and write an essay on the theme of 'hope' in the text.

'Small Island'

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

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of famine, disease, natural disasters.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of distress or humiliation e.g. bullying.

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

In 'Small Island', when Hortense stops and speaks to the audience, this is an example of ...

In 'Small Island' the stage directions describe 'Jamaica bracing itself'. This is an example of ...

film and image production particularly for news.

Openly and honestly, sharing information transparently.

Anxiously, reflecting a state of nervous anticipation.

Secretly or covertly, often implying collaboration in a plot or scheme.

 Nonchalantly, indicating a casual or indifferent attitude

In 'Small Island', Hortense addresses the audience "conspiratorially". What does this mean?

In 'Small Island' how does Mr. Philip describe his house?

Complete this quote from 'Small Island'. Little Hortense says "I wa a {{}} life".

Where are the locations that 'Small Island' is set?

an idea that is explored in a text in a number of different ways

When exploring literary texts we need to consider themes. What is a theme?

What are the historical events that are most prominent in 'Small Island'?

a transformation of a literary work into a different medium

the process of modifying a story line to fit a specific historical context

the evolution of characters in a novel to better suit a diverse audience

the act of condensing a lengthy literary work into a shorter version

'Small Island' is an adaptation of the novel with the same name. What does the word 'adaptation' mean?

'Small Island' is told through different stories and multiple voices. What word describes this literary technique?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Adult supervision required

Starter Quiz