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Year 9 - English

'Small Island': reading the start of Act 1 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 how the character of Hortense is established in the opening scene.

Key Notes

  • Hortense narrates her origins directly to the audience, joined by a younger Hortense.
  • Windrush tales often have a male bias, yet this story foregrounds Hortense's experience.
  • Hortense's comment about being the "heroine" of the situation opens questions about the dominance of 'white' history.
  • Hortense is forced to change her behaviour and accent to become "decent", according to her adoptive family.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Conform: to behave according to expectations and usual standards
  • Direct address: where a speaker talks directly to the audience
  • Flashback: a scene that is set earlier than the main story
  • Dominance: to have power and authority

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • All relevant information comes only from the dialogue in plays.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

Hortense narrates her origins directly to the audience, joined by a younger Hortense. Windrush tales often have a male bias, yet this story foregrounds Hortense's experience.

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

to behave according to expectations and usual standards.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: All relevant information comes only from the dialogue in plays. Correction: What is the role of stage directions? Explore how they are crafted to further characterisation. What extra information do they give us?

More Lessons In This Unit

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