Study Hub

Study Guides

This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.

Back to Study HubBrowse Year 9 English Guides

Year 9 - English

'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scene 1

'Small Island'

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils explore the playtext adaptation of Andrea Levy's novel 'Small Island'. They first explore the transition from novel to stage, before reading the playtext in full and exploring key scenes in detail. They then plan and write an essay on the theme of 'hope' in the text.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain the events of Act 2, Scene 1 and compare to Act 1.

Key Notes

  • Edmundson shows the link between class and race - migrants automatically fell to the bottom of the social hierarchy.
  • Hope and betrayal remain important themes as the couple do not achieve their middle class ambitions.
  • Pride emerges as an important value among the migrant population - Gilbert does not warn Hortense about life in London.
  • Neither Hortense's "pale skin" nor Gilbert's time in the military gain them additional status.
  • There is a stark contrast between Act 1 and Act 2, showing the realisation that expectations do not match the reality.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • pride: a feeling of satisfaction at your achievements or situation
  • betrayal: the act of not being loyal, or doing the opposite of what is said
  • social hierarchy: the idea that society is organised in terms of status and power
  • prejudice: unfair or unreasonable opinions formed without thought or knowledge
  • euphemism: the use of a word or phrase to avoid saying an offensive word or phrase

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • That Hortense is simply ungrateful.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

Edmundson shows the link between class and race - migrants automatically fell to the bottom of the social hierarchy. Hope and betrayal remain important themes as the couple do not achieve their middle class ambitions.

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

a feeling of satisfaction at your achievements or situation.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: That Hortense is simply ungrateful. Correction: Think about the promises and expectations that were used to encourage migration. View Hortense's and Gilbert's interaction in light of this betrayal.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 9 English guide library.