Starter quiz
- Brod is a character in 'Leave Taking'. What do we know of him?
- He and Enid have the same mother.
- He was married to Enid.
- He has known Enid since childhood. ✓
- He migrated from Jamaica. ✓
- He is of the same generation as Del.
-
- In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Brod reminds Viv that he "know you mother long before you was ______."
- 'born' ✓
- In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Brod recalls what happened to a friend of his. What are we told?
- He was fired from his job because of racial discrimination.
- He wrote a letter to the Home Office.
- He was the subject of a racist attack. ✓
- He was hunted down by the police.
- He was coming over with the Pastor.
-
- Brod is in three scenes of 'Leave Taking'. Match the scenes to their plot points.
- Scene Two⇔argues with Enid about Jamaica and England ✓
- Scene Three⇔talks to Enid about her daughters; hears of Mooma's death ✓
- Scene Seven⇔tells Del that her father abused her mother ✓
- In Scene Seven of 'Leave Taking', what does Brod tell Del?
- That his wife and children live in Jamaica. ✓
- That her father used to abuse her mother. ✓
- That the Pastor is coming over.
- That Viv is going to university.
- That Enid has chucked him and Viv out. ✓
-
- In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Enid and Brod clash over the choices Enid makes about raising her children. Brod says, "You teaching these children all ______."
- 'wrong' ✓
Exit quiz
- In 'Leave Taking', how many scenes does the character of Brod appear in?
- 1
- 2
- 3 ✓
- 4
- 5
-
- In 'Leave Taking', in what ways does the character of Brod serve as a contrast to Enid?
- He migrated from Jamaica; Enid was born in England.
- He doesn't have children; Enid does.
- He has never been patriotic; Enid always has.
- He is critical of England; Enid rarely is. ✓
- He reveals Enid's past; she hides it. ✓
-
- In 'Leave Taking', what is Brod's role in Viv's life?
- Someone who wants her to know about her Jamaican roots. ✓
- Someone who pressures her into going to university.
- Someone who tells her about her mother's past. ✓
- Someone she can move in with if things break down with her mother.
- Someone who can support her financially at university.
-
- In 'Leave Taking', how does Pinnock establish Brod's isolation?
- He doesn't have a family.
- His children live far away. ✓
- He doesn't feel a sense of belonging in England. ✓
- He is unable to establish a relationship with Mai.
- He relies on alcohol for support. ✓
-
- Pinnock wrote 'Leave Taking' when she was 23. When it was commissioned to be performed, what was she asked to do by the Liverpool Playhouse Studio?
- Add more characters.
- Develop the relationship between Brod and Enid.
- et the play in London
- reduce the cast of characters ✓
- include the character of Brod
-
- In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Brod says Jamaica is impoverished. He says, "An' why they poor? Because a colonialism. [...] They [the British] suck the ______ outta the island, suck them dry."
- 'blood' ✓
Worksheet
Loading worksheet ...
Presentation
Loading presentation ...
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- A dramatic function is the purpose of the character: how they help the playwright develop ideas they want to explore.
- Pinnock could have cut the character of Brod, but chose not to.
- Brod offers insight into Enid's past.
- Brod voices political and social criticisms.
Common misconception
Brod contrasts Enid in every way.
Brod and Enid clash over education, Jamaica and England, but they also have many commonalities: their past and their migration.
Keywords
Dramatic function - The purpose of a particular character or prop in a play. What they, or it, help us understand further about the playwright’s messages.
Social criticism - Work that explores issues in society, especially issues of injustice.
Political criticism - Work that explores political issues and policies in society.
Belonging - The feeling that you are accepted in a group, community or society.
+