Starter quiz
- In Scene Four of 'Leave Taking', what does Enid reveal about her final day in Jamaica before migrating to England?
- Her mother told her not to leave.
- She had to persuade her husband to join her.
- Her sister asked her to take her with her.
- Her mother refused to say goodbye to her. ✓
- She thought she was going to America.
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- In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Enid and Del argue. Why is Del particularly angry with Enid?
- Del is angry that Brod is visiting again; she considers him a drunk.
- Del is jealous of the attention Viv gets from Enid.
- Del doesn't like the fact her mother wants to go and see Mai again.
- Del feels Enid is too focussed on the Pastor's visit.
- Del feels Enid ignores the discrimination Black people face in England. ✓
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- In Scene Five of 'Leave Taking', how does Pinnock show that Del is becoming increasingly interested in obeah?
- She questions Mai. ✓
- She buys various pieces of equipment. For example, cards.
- She tells Viv she wants to visit the West Indies.
- She watches Mai practicing certain rituals. ✓
- She dabs some of the love potion behind her ears when Mai isn't looking. ✓
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- In Scene One of 'Leave Taking', Enid describes Del as '______. Like she possessed.'
- 'Angry' ✓
- In Scene Six of 'Leave Taking', Enid confides in Mai, telling her that she is worried about Del: 'I worry she a go ______ herself.'
- 'destroy' ✓
- In Scene Six of 'Leave Taking', Mai wonders if there is 'some kinda curse that condemn our people to wander the earth like ______ who can't find rest.'
- 'ghosts' ✓
Exit quiz
- How does 'Leave Taking' end?
- with Del moving back in with her mother
- with Viv going to the West Indies
- with Mai dying
- with Del giving Enid a reading ✓
- with Del giving Mai a reading
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- In Scene Eight of 'Leave Taking', what does Enid reveal about her relationship with her mother?
- She believes her mother hated her. ✓
- She believes her mother thought Enid's appearance would make her life difficult. ✓
- She believes her mother hated that she never met Del and Viv.
- She believes her mother hated Enid's ex husband.
- She has not spoken to her mother since she migrated to England. ✓
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- In Scene Eight of 'Leave Taking', what does Del learn about Mai during her practical exam?
- Mai is going to give her the notebook which contains all her knowledge on obeah.
- Mai is fatally ill. ✓
- Her mother is coming for a reading.
- Mai wants her to take over as an obeah woman.
- Mai is going to leave London.
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- In Scene Eight of 'Leave Taking', Mai tells Del that she is going to see her next client. Mai says, 'Is time. You ______.'
- 'ready' ✓
- In Scene Eight of 'Leave Taking', Del and Enid discuss the relative poverty of Enid's family in Jamaica, and Enid's family in England. Enid says, 'In a way we ______ than them.'
- 'poorer' ✓
- In Scene Eight of 'Leave Taking', Enid tells Del that she knows they face racial discrimination. Enid hates this, and it makes her want to '______ the place down.'
- 'tear' ✓
Worksheet
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Presentation
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Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Del sits exams with Mai to prove she is capable of being an obeah woman.
- Mai has a serious heart condition that will prove fatal.
- Mai gives Del her notebook which contains everything she knows about obeah.
- Enid justifies the choices she made in bringing up her daughters.
- The play ends with Del reading Enid’s palm.
Common misconception
The play is set over a series of days so Del's character development is rapid.
The stage directions at the beginning of each scene show that sometimes a few days have past, and sometimes much longer.
Keywords
Obeah - Obeah is a series of spell-casting and healing traditions found in the Caribbean.
Development - The process by which something may change over time, including people understanding and accepting who they are.
Identity - Who you are; the qualities that make you. Understanding, finding and accepting your identity can be a life’s work.
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