'Small Island': reading Act 1, Scenes 7 and 8
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the importance of the marriage pact between Hortense and Gilbert and compare it to other relationships in Act 1.
Key learning points
- Gilbert and Hortense share visions of the middle class life that they will enjoy in England, as a teacher and lawyer.
- Gender is important as well as race - Hortense realises that marriage is her only opportunity to travel.
- Hortense is confident that her "pale skin" and education will buy her status in England.
- The pact between Gilbert and Hortense is more like a business deal.
- Comparative conjunctions can be used to explore similarities and differences.
Keywords
Pragmatic - dealing with things in a systematic and realistic way
Idealistic - viewing something as perfect even if the reality suggests something different
Assimilation - becoming a part of a group, country, society or culture
Aomparative conjunction - a word or phrase used to express similarities or differences
Common misconception
That only the women in Act 1 consider marriage almost like a business transaction.
What does Gilbert gain from his marriage to Hortense? How does he describe his feelings towards Hortense and what does this tell the audience?
Teacher tip
Scene 7 contains descriptions of sexual acts and provocative language. Consider how you will manage the reading and discussion around this scene.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the play 'Small Island' written by Andrea Levy and adapted for the stage by Helen Edmundson
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of sexual content
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'Small Island', what items does Celia say she will have in her home in England?
Q2.In Act 1 Scene 5 of 'Small Island' who does Hortense mistake Gilbert for?
Q3.In 'Small Island', Gilbert gives Hortense a nickname. What is it?
Q4.In 'Small Island', what does Queenie learn about Bernard in Act 1 Scene 5?
Q5.At the end of Act 1 Scene 6 in 'Small Island', why does Celia hit Hortense in the mouth?
Q6.Which one of these sentences does not use a fronted adverbial?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which answer best describes the word 'pragmatic'?
Q2.In 'Small Island', what does Celia describe that presents an idealised view of England?
Q3.In 'Small Island', what do we discover at the end of Act 1?
Q4.In 'Small Island', why does Gilbert agree to marry Hortense?
Q5.Complete this quote from Act 1 Scene 7 of 'Small Island'. Hortense states "England is my...
Q6.Which one of these sentences does not use a comparative conjunction?
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: 'Small Island': reading Act 1, Scenes 7 and 8, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: 'Small Island': reading Act 1, Scenes 7 and 8, 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.