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Year 9 - English

Helen Edmundson on the context, characters and themes of 'Small Island'

'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 use Helen Edmundson's comments on context, characters and themes to deepen your personal response.

Key Notes

  • Edmundson notes the Windrush scandal emerged during production, powerfully deepening the play's relevance.
  • Edmundson suggests that Hortense experiences deep feelings of abandonment that influence her actions.
  • Edmundson highlights the stark contrast in Michael and Gilbert's upbringings and how it shapes their identities.
  • Edmundson suggests hope and progress come through compromise and by honestly addressing reality.
  • Edmundson describes 'Small Island' as a hopeful, but realistic play.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • transactional: an exchange between people, often with something expected in return
  • empathy: understanding and sharing someone else's feelings
  • universal: true or relevant for everyone, everywhere
  • zeitgeist: the general mood, ideas, and beliefs of a particular time in history
  • insular: having a narrow or limited view of the world; isolated or inward-looking

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • The ending is happy because everything works out perfectly and offers hope for the future.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

Edmundson notes the Windrush scandal emerged during production, powerfully deepening the play's relevance. Edmundson suggests that Hortense experiences deep feelings of abandonment that influence her actions.

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

an exchange between people, often with something expected in return.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: The ending is happy because everything works out perfectly and offers hope for the future. Correction: Edmundson says the ending is hopeful, but not perfect. There's pain, loss, and compromise (Queenie gives up her baby), but real progress comes from facing reality with care and honesty.

More Lessons In This Unit

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