An Inspector Calls: Lesson 1:

Week 6
LO&SC
LO: To evaluate and
understand the underlying
themes in ‘An Inspector Calls’

Success Criteria:

• I can discuss the main themes

• I can explain the underlying plot and
themes
• I can discuss the class divisions and relate
it to setting and time period
Main Themes: Starter

​Themes in AIC
 What is social
Discuss in pairs: responsibility? Look it up
and understand its meaning


• Social How do each of these themes

responsibility relate to the text? Which
characters represent these
themes?
• Age
• Gender
• Class
Analyze You/your group will be
called upon

• Choose one of the themes in the previous slide

and select three quotes that represent this
theme best.

• Discuss and explain why and how this theme

relates to the quote.

• You may work in pairs/groups 

Plenary
An Inspector Calls: Lesson 2:
Week 6
LO&SC
LO: To evaluate and
understand the characters in
‘An Inspector Calls’
Success Criteria:

• I can discuss the main characters

• I can identify the role these characters
have on the pIot
Starter: Recap Complete worksheet on
understanding
characters
Characters
• Mr. Arthur Birling
• Mrs. Sybil Birling
• Mr. Gerald Croft
• Ms. Sheila Birling
Have I thought
of everyone? • Mr. Eric Birling
• Inspector Goole
• Ms. Eva Smith
What about….Edna?

Edna works as the maid for the Birling

family, she answers the door to visitors and
provides them with refreshments?

1. What else does Edna represent in the

text?
2. How is this significant?
 The significance of Edna
Edna is a very minor character in the play with few lines, most of which include the

words ‘Ma’am’ (p. 2) or ‘sir’ (p. 10) which illustrates her lowly status and her

employers’ superiority. There is no conversation between Edna and the Birling's.

Priestley has deliberately given Edna little dialogue and no character development

for particular effects. He is making the point that she is one of the invisible ‘millions

of Eva Smiths and John Smiths’ (p. 56). We do not know what Edna’s hopes and

fears are. Nor, it is safe to say, would Mr. and Mrs. Birling. They are unlikely to feel

any responsibility to her beyond paying her wages. Also note how Edna ushers

Inspector Goole into the dining room (p. 10), a fitting action, since he is about to

address the Birling's on their responsibility to women like her.

The Inspectors Final Speech
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uWN0jpmv7o

• Listen to the speech and note down the following:

• What is the significance of this speech?
• How should the listeners have reacted to this speech?
• How far do you agree with the Inspector? Is what he says
generally true to this day? Discuss
‘____________ had a profound impact on the
general plot of ‘An Inspector Calls’ and
embodied the themes associated with the text.’

Write a 300-400 word character analysis on

your specific character of choice from An
Inspector Calls.

Link it to themes analyzed, plot and include

quotations! 

Use the An Inspector Calls folder on Teams to

help you.
‘Dramatic Irony’
• Priestley uses something called
‘Dramatic Irony’ in the text.
• Research what it is and discuss some ways he
has used it from your knowledge of the text
• Share answers with the class!
Act It Out

• In groups of 3 or 4, you will act out the a section of different acts

• You will go head to head in front of a panel of judges to determine

who out of your class has got some fantastic acting potential

• Speak loud and clear, stand straight, put emotion/enthusiasm into

your voice and never turn your back to the audience!