The English Department
An Inspector Calls
J.B Priestley
What does this exam look like?
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Each question worth 34 marks
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30 for content 4 for SpaG
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Theme and Character based questions
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Paired with Poetry. Total exam time 2 hour 15
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Click here for more details
When will I be examined?
October mock Examinations.
What texts do I need?
IMPORTANT:
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Context
The historical background of the story. Where it takes place and/or when it was written. You may also include author's context about their biography
Why do I need to know this?
In a PETER paragraph, you will be asked to make some comment on the novel and how it connects to the historical context of when it was set and/or written. Download your PETER paragraph structure here
the main events of a play, novel, film, or similar work, devised and presented by the writer as an interrelated sequence.
Plot
Why do I need to know this?
In an essay, you will need to show that you understand where the extract you are given, fits in with the rest of the play-- what happens before and what happens after the extract? Why is the extract important to the progression of the play or the characters it involves?
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What do the opening stage directions tell us about the Birling family ( their class and character )? Choose at least 3 quotes from the initial description of the house and explain how the reader is positioned to think about the family.
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Despite the Birling’s celebrating Sheila and Gerald’s engagement are there any hints that perhaps all is not well in their relationship? Choose two examples from the text and explain why the audience may feel this sense of tension or unease.
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Why is Mr Birling so keen for Sheila and Gerald to marry? Find the quote. What might this make us think about him?
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What do we notice about Eric, his behaviour, his views and how is he treated? Choose at least one moment where he speaks or somebody speaks about him. Analyse the quote—WLA, Authors intentions, effect, impact on the audience
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How does Sheila react when Gerald gives her the ring? Find the quote. What might this suggest about her? How is the audience positioned to think about her in this moment? Could other audience members have different opinions of her? Explain.
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What examples of dramatic irony (we know something they don’t) are there at the start and why have they been included? ( WW1, the Titanic – Birling)? Explain how this may cause tension for modern audiences.
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What does the following quote tells us about Birling: ‘ ...a man has to make his own way – has to look out for himself – and his family too...’? Provide at least three things this quote tells us about him, his ambition, his family, his behaviour, his attitude of the world etc…
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Both the Birlings and the Crofts are wealthy. However, there a difference in how they attained their wealth. What is the difference?
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What does Birling tell Gerald that he hopes will impress Lady Croft? What does this say about the relationship between The Crofts and Birlings?
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What does Birling say that his chance of a knighthood hinges on? How is this an example of dramatic irony? How does this create tension or unease for the audience?
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Find three quotes by Birling which show his selfish, uncaring attitude.
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In what way does the Inspector act as a storyteller?
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Is the Inspector just telling the story of Eva Smith or is he making comments about society as a whole? What point do you think he is trying to make?
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What character flaw does he reveal in each character?
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Is the Inspector successful in making the characters feel responsible for their actions? Which characters does he affect the most?
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What is the mood in the dining room at the start of Act Two? Provide two analysed quotations to support your answer. PEELx2
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Why do Gerald and Sheila react ‘bitterly’ to each other? Complete a WLA mind map for the word “bitterly”
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How do you think the Inspector has affected Sheila? Give two examples of her reaction to the situation and the inspector that supports your response.
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Why does she stare at the Inspector ‘wonderingly and dubiously’? Complete a WLA mind map for “wonderingly” and “dubiously”
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How does Mrs Birling re-enter the dining room? Find the quote. What does this make us think about her?
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Why does Sheila try to warn her? Give two reasons
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What is Mrs Birling’s attitude to Eva Smith? Provide two quotations to support your response.
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What do we learn about Gerald’s relationship with Eva/Daisy? What do you think the audience is meant to feel at this time? Provide three precise and academic feeling words to answer this question
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What do we learn about Mrs Birling’s relationship with Eva? Are we surprised? Why/why not? Explain in detail.
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8. How is suspense and tension created at the end of Act Two as Eric re-enters the dining-room? Provide one PETER Paragraph to answer this question.
Booklet
When exploding quotes, you are essentially speaking about EVEYRTHING you can about them.
You can include:
Word level analysis, theme, significance, what it tells us bout the character or situation, link to context, what others think when s/he says it, who s/he says it to and why, the expected response from the audience, the expected response from other characters etc...
Examples:
“Lower costs, higher prices”
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Capitalism
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Makes us consider what his true intentions are
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Industrial revolution
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Superlative shows intensity
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Contrast shows range (lower/higher)
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Shows he is upper class because… cheap labour, profitable
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He was at dinner with Gerald when he said this, which was very much a BUSINESS transaction, so he focusses on how he can make a PROFIT. Impressing Gerald?
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Priestley was a socialist so he has a biased against the character he created.
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Talking business at an engagement dinner—arrogant, selfish, unaware of surroundings
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Trying to exert his power and authority, showing the control of his business
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Shows he is of a higher social class and DOESN’T CARE about the needs of his workers. A jerk.
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The author positions us to hate him and think very negatively about him—antagonist
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“There will be a public scandal—unless were lucky”
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Worried about reputation
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Is he worried about HIS reputation or his family’s?
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Worried what this could do for his business—Public—outer world, US vs THEM
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While worried, he is hopeful at the end—relies on luck to get him out of it? Not hard work?
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One of the only times in the play where he shows uncertainty—not expected of his pompous character
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Scandal—very serious
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May lose respect and be seen differently. Public persona is very important to him
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Through this, Priestley’s message is…
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This reflects the theme of social class because….
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This tells us that Birling is very…. Because…
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The writer positions us to feel this way because….
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“There will be”—definitive/controlling. There definitely will be… he is being very decisive.
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He is saying this to his family, after hearing about Eva’s death which surely makes them feel…. Because… is it right to make the family feel this way?
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Patriarchy
Try this with the following quotes
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"silly, little war scares"
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"Just let me finish, Eric"
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"Community and all that nonsense"
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Birling calls the Inspector's visit a "hoax"
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"Theyre not cheap labour, theyre people!
Themes
an idea that reoccurs in a work of art or literature.
Why do I need to know this?
In an essay, you will need to comment on how the extract ties into a theme of the play. What is the message the author is trying to say about this theme? What is the author's attitudes or beliefs about this message? What does s/he want you to think? Is the theme tied to a specific character? Explain.
Characters
A person in a novel, play or film.
Why do I need to know this?
In an exam question, you may be asked about a specific character. You must know what kind of person they are-- their appearance, their personality and how they have (or haven't!) developed through the play. You will need to use precise vocabulary for this section and you will also need to know at least 5 quotations for each character.
AIC Characters
AIC Characters
'An Inspector Calls': Eva Smith Character Analysis (animated)
'An Inspector Calls': Eric Character Analysis (animated)
'An Inspector Calls': Gerald Character Analysis (animated)
An awesome resource!
Character Revision Booklet
PAST EXAM PAPER QUESTIONS
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How far do you agree that Mr Birling is a man who takes care of his family?
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How far do you agree that Mr Birling is a "man of the time?" Link this to historical context and evidence from the text
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How does Priestley present contrasting views about social responsibility? Use at least two moments from the text
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Analyse the inspectors last speech. How does Priestley present social responsibility in this speech? Comment on at least 3 things.
Revision Booklets
An additional resource, used to join together all your knowledge about the play
Why do I need this?
Whether you are working alone or in a study group, revision booklets can be a very helpful tool to help you go over the text as a whole. Some revision booklets are better than others, but here are two that we think are excellent.
Stoke Newington Revision Book
General
Revision Book
New Revision Book
Sept 2022
Quotes
a group of words taken from a text or speech and repeated by someone other than the original author or speaker.
Why do I need to know this?
In an essay, you will need to show evidence from the text. You will have an extract, however you will need to memorise events and quotations from other parts of the play, too. Your quotes will need to be analysed and you must include a Word Level Analysis, author's intentions and effect on the reader. Download the PETER essay support document here
Inspector Calls Plot
Inspector Calls Plot
An Inspector Calls (2018)
'An Inspector Calls': Act 1 Summary
'An Inspector Calls': Act 2 Summary
'An Inspector Calls': Act 3 Summary
Act 1-3 Analysis
Extension Questions
