Tracking characters and tension in 'Small Island'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can track character development across the play and consider how tension is created.
Key learning points
- The characters in ‘Small Island’ have tumultuous journies.
- The characters are changed as a result of their experiences.
- Edmundson creates tension through the use of dramatic irony.
- Edmundson uses a motif in her settings to create tension.
Keywords
Tension - a feeling of uncertainty or anticipation
Adversity - is to face difficulties, challenges or hardship in life
Tumultuous - a situation or feeling or confusion, disorder and chaos
Motif - a recurring theme, image or idea that contributes to the overall meaning of a text
Dramatic irony - occurs when the audience knows something that the characters do not, leading to tension or humor as events unfold
Common misconception
Hortense is the main protagonist.
Look at how many scenes other characters are in and the importance of their journeys. Why might Levy choose to have multiple protagonists? Think back to her original intentions.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils to explore and discuss their own reactions to particular moments in the play, this will enable them to understand the effects and purpose of dramatic irony.
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
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the definition of tension?
Q2.What adjectives might you use to describe Hortense in 'Small Island'?
Q3.Starting with the first, put the following plot points for Hortense in 'Small Island' in chronological order.
Q4.How do Hortense's feelings for Gilbert change across the course of 'Small Island'?
Q5.How does Act 1 of 'Small Island' begin?
Q6.A is a recurring theme, image or idea that contributes to the overall meaning of a text.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the key term to its definition.
a feeling of uncertainty or anticipation
to face difficulties, challenges or hardship in life
situation or feeling of confusion, disorder and chaos
Q2.What motif does Edmundson use in 'Small Island' to show the difference between expectations and reality?
Q3.What word best fits in this sentence: The characters in 'Small Island' have __________ journeys.
Q4.What is being described here: occurs when the audience knows something that the characters do not, leading to tension or humor as events unfold.
Q5.What examples of dramatic irony do we see in 'Small Island'?
Q6.In 'Small Island', how does Gilbert's outlook on the "opportunities" England has to offer change?
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Tracking characters and tension in 'Small Island', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Tracking characters and tension in '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.