The relationship between Mai and Del in Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain Mai’s powerful influence on Del in Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking'.
Key learning points
- Pinnock describes Mai as an “enigmatic” character.
- Pinnock says Mai has a “powerful influence” on all the characters in ‘Leave Taking’.
- Arguably, Mai has the most powerful influence on Del.
- Mai argues people need to “invest in their own healing”.
- Arguably Mai helps Del “invest” in herself.
Keywords
Invest - To invest in something, means to put time, money or effort into something that you think will go up in value.
Enigmatic - A synonym for mysterious or unknowable.
Second generation immigrant - People who have grown up in a country that at least one of their parents was not born in.
Pocomania - A Jamaican folk religion combining aspects of surviving African religion with aspects from Protestant religion.
Common misconception
Mai's desire that people "invest" in themselves is just a way for her to make more money.
Whilst Mai is determined to be paid for her services, she takes her calling seriously.
Teacher tip
Students are re-reading a section of Scene Eight. They are essentially doing a close reading. Consider if you want to draw attention to other moments in this section as well as the four questions already given.
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 violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Mai is one of the five characters in 'Leave Taking'. What do we know about her?
Q2.Creating single paragraph outlines is a way of planning for an essay question. What is included in a single paragraph outline?
Q3.Mai is in five of 'Leave Taking's' eight scenes. Match her scenes to her plot points.
Meets the Matthews and tries to give Del a reading
Del has moved in with Mai; Mai tells her more about obeah
Gives Enid another reading; tells Del about her son
Realises Del has the "gift" of obeah, like Mai does
Realises she is unwell; makes Del take exams in obeah
Q4.Del is in six of 'Leave Taking's' eight scenes. Match her scenes to her plot points.
Meets Mai; is rude to her and dismissive of obeah
Moves out of the family home after an argument with Enid
Has moved in with Mai; fights with Viv
Says Enid "hates" her; learns about Mai's son
Brod tells her Enid was abused by her father
Becomes an obeah woman and gives Enid a reading
Q5.Why does Enid visit Mai in Scene One of 'Leave Taking'?
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.In Scene Eight of 'Leave Taking', where does Mai tell Del that, when you are doing an obeah reading, you can find everything you need to know?
Q2.What does Winsome Pinnock suggest about Del and Viv’s relationship to Mai's culture in 'Leave Taking'?
Q3.In her introduction to 'Leave Taking', what does Pinnock suggest about Mai's role?
Q4.In her introduction to 'Leave Taking', Pinnock describes Mai as an " figure".
Q5.In Scene Eight of 'Leave Taking', how do the stage direction describe Del while reading Mai's palm?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: The relationship between Mai and Del in Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: The relationship between Mai and Del in Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking', 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.