Exploring Enid's flat in 'Leave Taking'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Winsome Pinnock uses the symbolism of Enid's flat to explore themes of identity, conflict and integration.
Key learning points
- Enid's flat symbolises conflict, both generational and cultural, within her family.
- The clean, orderly flat reflects Enid's desire for stability and integration into British society.
- Mai's bedsit contrasts with Enid's flat, representing spiritual and cultural roots through its clutter and artefacts.
- The lack of Jamaican cultural elements in Enid's flat arguably highlights her emotional distance from her Jamaican past.
- Enid's domestic focus and Viv's academic pursuits reflect generational differences in values and aspirations.
Keywords
Integration - the process of adapting to and becoming part of a new society
Paradoxical - something that appears contradictory or conflicting, but may reveal a deeper truth when examined
Heritage - the traditions, beliefs, and cultural elements passed down from previous generations that shape a person's identity and sense of belonging
Sanctuary - a safe and comforting space, often providing emotional or spiritual refuge from external pressures or conflicts
Common misconception
Pupils may believe that Enid's flat is a straightforward symbol of her success and assimilation into British culture, ignoring its role as a site of personal and cultural conflict.
Remind pupils that while the flat does represent Enid's material success it is also the site of many of the play's conflicts.
Teacher tip
Before the lesson, ask pupils to create a simple diagram of a flat or bedsit, and annotate it with what personal and cultural objects they would place in it. This activity will encourage them to think about how physical spaces can represent personal and cultural identity.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking' published by Nick Hern Books.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sexual violence
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In Pinnock's 'Leave Taking', Scene 2 opens in Enid's flat as the Matthews family are preparing for a visitor? Who is the visitor they're preparing for?
Q2.Which of the below characters spend time living in Enid's flat in 'Leave Taking'?
Q3.In Pinnock's 'Leave Taking', Enid works as a __________ at a local hospital.
Q4.In Scene Four of 'Leave Taking', Enid tells Viv about her family's economic situation in Jamaica. What word does she use?
Q5.In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Enid says to Brod she's proud of her children. What culture does she describe them as being a part of?
Q6.In 'Leave Taking', how does Pinnock present Enid's life in England, compared to her life in Jamaica?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The process of 'adapting to and becoming part of a new society' is known as
Q2.What does the absence of Jamaican cultural elements in Enid’s flat arguably suggest in Pinnock's 'Leave Taking'?
Q3.In 'Leave Taking', in contrast to Enid’s flat, Mai's bedsit could reflect ...
Q4.In 'Leave Taking', a key event that takes place in Enid's flat is when there is a heated argument and Enid slaps ...
Q5.What does Enid's description of her daughters as "English" suggest in 'Leave Taking'?
Q6.In 'Leave Taking', how does the contrast between Enid's flat and Mai's bedsit deepen the exploration of identity in the play?
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Exploring Enid's flat in 'Leave Taking', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Exploring Enid's flat in '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': setting, structure and stagecraft unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.