Scene Three as a turning point in 'Leave Taking'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore the significance of Mooma’s death as a turning point in Enid’s character development in ‘Leave Taking’.
Key learning points
- A turning point is a moment in a dramatic work when the plot takes a decisive shift.
- Turning points often involve high stakes, character transformation and irreversible consequences.
- Scene Three is a turning point that forces Enid to confront her identity and her relationships with her daughters.
- The death of Mooma serves as a catalyst for a resolution to some of the generational conflict in the play.
Keywords
Turning point - a pivotal moment in the plot where the story takes a significant shift
High stakes - a situation where the potential consequences of actions or decisions are significant
Irreversibility - the quality of an action or event meaning that it cannot be undone or reversed
Catalyst - a person, event, or thing that triggers or accelerates a change or process, often bringing about significant transformation
Common misconception
Pupils might think that a turning point in a play only involves a major event, such as a character's death, without recognising the emotional or relational changes that accompany it.
It’s important to clarify that a turning point not only indicates a significant event but also involves the emotional and relational dynamics of the characters e.g. the emotional aftermath of Mooma's death as well as the event itself.
Teacher tip
If time allows have pupils create a character map for Enid, illustrating her relationships before and after Mooma's death. They can identify key changes in her beliefs, attitudes, and connections with her daughters, highlighting how the turning point impacts these dynamics.
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 sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.If a situation has 'high stakes' then the potential consequences arising from it are...
Q2.In 'Leave Taking', some characters are spoken about but never seen on stage. Which of the below are examples of this?
Q3.Scene Three of 'Leave Taking' ends with...
Q4.Which of the below are reasonable synonyms of the word 'catalyst'?
Q5.A matriarch is a woman who rules, leads or controls a family. Which of the characters in 'Leave Taking' are presented as matriarchs?
Q6.In Scene Four of 'Leave Taking', Enid tells Viv things about her mother. What do we find out?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What defines a turning point in drama?
Q2.Which of the following elements is most crucial for a successful turning point in drama?
Q3.Which statement best describes 'irreversibility' in the context of a turning point?
Q4.Whose death at the end of Scene Three of 'Leave Taking' can be considered a turning point in the play?
Q5.Why is Mooma’s death a catalyst for Enid’s transformation in 'Leave Taking'?
Q6.How do 'high stakes' manifest in Enid’s decisions after Mooma’s death in 'Leave Taking'?
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Scene Three as a turning point 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: Scene Three as a turning point 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.