Starter quiz
- Who is Miss Todd in the play 'Small Island'?
- The school teacher Hortense worked with.
- Queenie's neighbour. ✓
- The wife of Bernard's army friend.
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- In Act 2, Scene 6 of 'Small Island', Bernard returns from a long absence. What happened to him?
- He has been back in England for four months but has been in Brighton. ✓
- He was injured in the war and had to recover.
- He had to help his friend Maxi when he got into trouble in India.
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- In Act 2, Scene 5 of 'Small Island', Bernard meets Gilbert for the first time. Complete the quote: "Bernard ______ the door in Gilbert's face."
- 'slams' ✓
- What is being defined here? 'The use of images to represent specific ideas or themes.'
- 'symbolism' ✓
- In 'Small Island', Edmundson uses the quintessential ______ of London to create an idealistic view of England.
- 'imagery' ✓
- Match the character from 'Small Island' to the correct quote.
- Queenie⇔"(Quietly) Ridiculous woman." ✓
- Bernard⇔"Are you telling me...you've been sharing this house with...?" ✓
- Miss Todd⇔"I'm quite sure that Mr Bligh would not approve of this sitution..." ✓
- Gilbert⇔"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr...." ✓
Exit quiz
- In Act 2, Scenes 7 and 8 of 'Small Island', which characters can we draw parallels between because of their views?
- Queenie and Bernard
- Bernard and Miss Todd ✓
- Gilbert and Miss Todd
- Gilbert and Bernard
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- In 'Small Island', Edmundson uses the symbolism of a “hummingbird” to represent ...
- hope. ✓
- nature.
- devastation.
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- Match the key terms to their definitions.
- reparation⇔To make amends to those that have been wronged or harmed. ✓
- poignant⇔To cause a sharp feeling of sadness or upset. ✓
- encapsulate⇔To show or represent the most important features of something. ✓
- parallel⇔Describing something that is similar to something else. ✓
- In Act 2, Scene 8 of 'Small Island', How does Bernard react to the arrival of Queenie's baby?
- with shock and horror
- he is unsure how to feel
- he is welcoming of the baby ✓
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- Which sentence is the word 'poignant' used in correctly?
- Bernard’s behaviour is a poignant moment that reveals the possibility of hope. ✓
- Poignant Bernard’s behaviour is a moment that reveals the possibility of hope.
- Bernard’s behaviour is a moment that reveals the possibility of poignant hope.
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- Starting with the first, put the plot points from Act 2, Scenes 7-8 of 'Small Island' in chronological order.
- 1⇔Bernard wants the lodgers out of the house, including Gilbert and Hortense.
- 2⇔Gilbert and Bernard have a fight.
- 3⇔Queenie goes into labour and Hortense helps Queenie deliver the baby.
- 4⇔It becomes obvious the baby is Michael's.
- 5⇔Queenie has a vision of Michael.
- 6⇔Bernard comforts the baby and shows him affection.
- 7⇔Bernard tells Queenie about his experience in India.
Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Bernard's behaviour is a poignant reminder of the racist and discriminatory attitudes of the time.
- Parallels can be drawn between Bernard and Miss Todd.
- Edmundson uses symbolism to explore the theme of hope.
- Bernard's reaction to the baby encapsulates a promise of reparation and hope.
Common misconception
Bernard completely rejects Queenie's baby due to his racial prejudices.
What does the baby symbolise? How does Edmundson use Benard's behaviour to hint at the potential for reparation and change.
Keywords
Symbolism - the use of images to represent specific ideas or themes
Reparation - the action of repairing something. To make amends to those that have been wronged or harmed
Poignant - evoking a strong emotional response. Revealing a significant meaning
Encapsulate - to show or represent the most important features of something
Parallel - describing something that is similar to something else.
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