Lesson Plan Two
Starter Activity
In class re-read the epilogue to the play and carefully consider both what Henry says and how he says it.
- Solly has told him that he is forgiven: he has told Solly that he loves him. For Henry at the moment there is nothing more to say: he wanted ‘nothing that would violate the moment’. He does not regret never seeing Solly and Rachel again. They have been the agents of his ‘short journey from hate to love’ and their job is done.
- But he does regret the loss of Adela: he seeks her out with the present of a Kathleen Ferrier record. ‘Two (more) old adversaries ending up as good friends’. But he has no photograph of her: for once ‘Have you seen us’ does not apply.
- Finally he wishes us ‘happy holidays’ as opposed to happy Christmas. He is, thus now politically correct, or, at least, appears to be.
Main Activity
Now: go back to the Prologue and read it very thoroughly and carefully and in stages: you will need to scrutinise the detail as well as take a structural and thematic overview of the lines.
Which of the issues with which he concludes are introduced and developed on the Prologue and what is their significance in the play?
- There is only a brief mention of Solly and Rachel, but a critical one: with the line ‘we are Jews’ being given due emphasis, prompting a grossly disproportionate reaction: ‘I was seething with resentment and hurt… it was another rejection, once too often in my life’.
OK, he’s had…
