Helen Edmundson on the context, characters and themes of 'Small Island'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use Helen Edmundson’s comments on context, characters and themes to deepen my personal response.
Key learning points
- Edmundson notes the Windrush scandal emerged during production, powerfully deepening the play’s relevance.
- Edmundson suggests that Hortense experiences deep feelings of abandonment that influence her actions.
- Edmundson highlights the stark contrast in Michael and Gilbert’s upbringings and how it shapes their identities.
- Edmundson suggests hope and progress come through compromise and by honestly addressing reality.
- Edmundson describes 'Small Island' as a hopeful, but realistic play.
Keywords
Transactional - an exchange between people, often with something expected in return
Empathy - understanding and sharing someone else’s feelings
Universal - true or relevant for everyone, everywhere
Zeitgeist - the general mood, ideas, and beliefs of a particular time in history
Insular - having a narrow or limited view of the world; isolated or inward-looking
Common misconception
The ending is happy because everything works out perfectly and offers hope for the future.
Edmundson says the ending is hopeful, but not perfect. There’s pain, loss, and compromise (Queenie gives up her baby), but real progress comes from facing reality with care and honesty.
Teacher tip
You may wish to consider the timing of this lesson. Each learning cycle can be taught as a standalone lesson if needed. This will ensure there is enough time to watch and fully engage with each of the videos.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which historical event forms the backdrop to 'Small Island'?
Q2.What is one major theme in 'Small Island'?
Q3.In 'Small Island', who is Queenie married to?
Q4.Is the statement true or false? Hortense and Gilbert are in love at the beginning of the play.
Q5.In 'Small Island', who is Michael in relation to Hortense?
Q6.In 'Small Island', what happens when Gilbert first arrives at Queenie’s house in Britain?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does Edmundson suggest the title 'Small Island' reflects?
Q2.Is the statement true or false? Helen Edmundson says that the Windrush scandal was well-known long before the play 'Small Island' was written.
Q3.Which character from 'Small Island' does Edmundson describe as feeling “abandoned and unloved”?
Q4.According to Edmundson, Gilbert can be described as being “at ease in his own skin” and emotionally grounded
Q5.According to Edmundson, why is 'Small Island' a hopeful play?
Q6.Which theme does Edmundson highlight as central to 'Small Island'?
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Helen Edmundson on the context, characters and themes of 'Small Island', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Helen Edmundson on the context, characters and themes of 'Small Island', 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.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
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 3 English lessons from the 'Small Island' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.