'Leave Taking': an exploration of shame and guilt through the character of Enid
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Pinnock explores ideas of shame and guilt through the character of Enid.
Key learning points
- The death of Enid’s mother is a catalyst for Enid confronting her feelings of shame and guilt.
- Arguably, Enid is presented as feeling ashamed of her upbringing in rural poverty.
- Dramatic methods are the tools a playwright uses to create drama. Examples are setting, stage directions and dialogue.
Keywords
Shame - A negative emotion, often connected with blaming yourself for something, or feeling embarrassed about something.
Guilt - An emotion you feel when you have done something bad. Guilt makes you feel worried and unhappy.
Symbol - If something is a symbol, it represents or expresses an idea. In 'Leave Taking', cleaning could be a symbol for shame.
Dramatic methods - The tools a playwright uses to create drama. Examples are setting, stage directions, dialogue and language choices.
Common misconception
The poverty Enid faced in Jamaica is equivalent to the poverty she faces in England.
Enid faced rural poverty where she "lived off the land". Farming is unreliable, and her family could feasibly become destitute.
Teacher tip
Consider how you will explore the idea of dramatic methods, and Pinnock's use of them. Consider if a comparison to another text type, for example poems, might help students understand what are universal methods, and what are specifically dramatic.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking' published by Nick Hern Books.
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.'Leave Taking' is a play. We are reading the script. The script is made up of scenes, dialogue and what other dramatic device?
Q2.How does scene two of 'Leave Taking' begin?
Q3.In scene four of 'Leave Taking', Viv enters the living room. What does she find there?
Q4.In scene six of 'Leave Taking', Enid asks Mai, "You ever wonder if it was worth it?". What is Enid talking about?
Q5.In Scene Six of 'Leave Taking', Enid consults Mai once more. What does she ask for support with?
Q6.In scene six of 'Leave Taking', Pinnock includes stage directions to increase our understanding of Enid's pain, writing, Enid's mouth "opens in a soundless ."
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Pinnock is a playwright. She employs dramatic methods. Which of the following are examples of dramatic methods?
Q2.In scene six of 'Leave Taking', we learn that Enid can't sleep. What might this symbolise?
Q3.In scene three of 'Leave Taking', Enid learns of her mother's death. She blames her sister. When Brod disagrees, Enid asks, "Then who her then? Me?"
Q4.In scene four of 'Leave Taking', Enid talks to Viv about her migration from Jamaica to England. She says, "Oh yes, I did escape didn't I?...Escape. To ?".
Q5.In scene four of 'Leave Taking', Enid tells Viv about her upbringing in Jamaica. She says, "I come from the ."
Q6.In scene two of 'Leave Taking', Brod teases Enid about being able to see her "crack foot-bottom". Enid believes him, asking "Where?". How does Pinnock direct the actor to say this?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: 'Leave Taking': an exploration of shame and guilt through the character of Enid, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: 'Leave Taking': an exploration of shame and guilt through the character of Enid, 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 4 English lessons from the Leave Taking: a sense of belonging unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.