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Year 11 - English

The presentation of the matriarchy in Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking'

Leave Taking: an intersectional analysis

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupls complete an intersectional analysis of 'Leave Taking'. They first learn about intersectionality, and then apply it to 'Leave Taking'. They look at 1980s Britian, matriarchy, male characters and Black British experiences before writing an essay about coming of age in the play.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain the ways in which 'Leave Taking' is a social commentary on the experiences of women.

Key Notes

  • 'Leave Taking' is dedicated to Pinnock's mother.
  • 'Leave Taking' starts with two epigraphs from two feminist critics.
  • Enid, Mai, Mooma and Del are all presented as strong matriarchs.
  • Enid, Mai, Mooma and Del's experiences could reflect the expectations of strength placed on Caribbean matriarchs.
  • 'Leave Taking' could be interpreted as social commentary on the experiences of women.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • feminist critic: an academic who explores how texts present the role and place of women in society
  • social commentary: a text which explores and critiques particular problems in society
  • matriarch: a woman who rules, leads or controls a family
  • epigraph: a short quotation at the beginning of a text which suggests some of its important themes
  • centrality: the quality of being the most important or significant to something, or being central to it

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • 'Leave Taking' is a commentary on the experiences of all women.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

'Leave Taking' is dedicated to Pinnock's mother. 'Leave Taking' starts with two epigraphs from two feminist critics.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'feminist critic'

an academic who explores how texts present the role and place of women in society.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: 'Leave Taking' is a commentary on the experiences of all women. Correction: Pinnock presents the unique stories of her created characters. The centrality of women suggests she is making some sort of social comment, but she is not generalising about every single woman's experience of the world.

More Lessons In This Unit

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