Leave Taking

This study guide is written for pupils working towards the GCSE English Literature exam on Winsome Pinnock's play Leave Taking. It takes the play apart piece by piece, covering the characters, the plot, the structure, the themes, the setting and the use of language, and it explains the historical background the play draws on.

Model answers to sample exam questions show how students might tackle the kinds of tasks they will face in assessment. Prompts for reflection and research invite readers to think further about the material, whether they are studying alone at home or alongside a class.

Pinnock adds her own perspective as the playwright. Colour photographs of the play in performance appear throughout, along with many quotations and extracts from the script. Teachers planning lessons on the play will also find the guide useful.