Hello, welcome and thank you for joining me for today's English lesson.

My name is Mrs. Butterworth and I will be your teacher for today.

Now in this lesson, we are looking at "An Inspector Calls," so do make sure you have access to a copy of the play because in this lesson, we are going to be looking at key themes.

We're gonna make sure we understand what the key themes are referring to and explore them in a bit more detail considering why Priestley chose to write about those key themes and how he did that.

So lots to get through, we better get started.

In this lesson, you will identify and understand key themes in An Inspector Calls.

So let's look at those all important keywords that we will need for the lesson today.

And there are some big ideas in these words today.

So these words are discrimination, exploit, prejudice, universal and timeless.

Now, discrimination is to treat someone unfairly or differently because of characteristics like gender, age, class, and ethnicity.

And I'm sure some of you are already thinking about how we can see that in An Inspector Calls.

There are definitely moments of discrimination in there, aren't there? And then we've got this word exploit, now to take advantage of someone or something unfairly often for personal gain.

And again, I definitely think we can think of some characters that exploit Eva Smith in An Inspector Calls.

So we'll be looking at that today.

The idea of prejudice really links to that first key word, discrimination.

So again, prejudice is to have an unfair opinion or feeling about someone based on characters like gender, age, class, and ethnicity.

And again, we can really see that happening at moments in An Inspector Calls, can't we? And then we've got this word universal.

So that means something that applies to everyone or is true in all situations, or places.

So today, we're gonna be thinking about An Inspector Calls themes and whether they are universal and also whether they are timeless.

So if something is timeless, it means that it is always relevant or important no matter the time period.

So we're gonna be thinking a little bit about whether An Inspector Calls is timeless, whether it is relevant to today.

So the outline of our lesson looks like this.

We're going to start by defining key terms before moving on to consider these in relation to Priestley's purpose.

So we're going to explore Priestley's purpose.

So let's get started with the first part of the lesson.

And for the first part of the lesson, it is over to you.

So I'd like you to just discuss please, what actually is a theme? What is a theme? And can you come up with a definition, okay? So pause the video so you can discuss your answers to this question.

If you are working by yourself, you may wish to just sit and think quietly to yourself or jot some ideas down.

So pause the video so you can get your answers and definitions sorted out.

Off you go.

Excellent.

Some really great definitions coming up there.

So let's just look at what some of our Oak pupils said.

This is a nice opportunity for you to consider your own ideas, your own thoughts and see if they have similar ideas.

So Laura says that a theme is the main idea or message that a story is trying to convey.

It's something that runs through the whole text.

So that's a nice definition there from Laura.

So when we're thinking about themes, we want to think about what are the main ideas, what are the messages? Jen says it's what the writer wants you to think about, not just the plot, but the deeper meanings behind the character's actions and the events that happens.

So again, when we're looking at themes, we want to really think about what is JB Priestley trying to get us to think about the bigger ideas, if you like? And Jacob has said, a central idea or concept in a book, or play.

And I think that's a really lovely concise definition there from Jacob.

So thinking about these things, I would like you now to discuss what do you think the key themes might be in An Inspector Calls? So really think about what it is that JB Priestley is trying to get us to think about in An Inspector Calls.

What are those big ideas, okay? So pause the video, discuss or think to yourselves, what do you think the key themes might be in An Inspector Calls? Pause the video now.

Okay, so lots of ideas.

There are many, many themes in An Inspector Calls, but we are actually just going to focus on three today.

So thank you for all of those suggestions.

They are great and valid, but we are just gonna focus on these three today.

So social responsibility, class and power, age and generational divides.

Now we had these key words at the beginning, didn't we? Timeless and universal.

And some themes can be considered timeless and universal.

So what this means is that they are relatable and relevant to people across different time periods and cultures.

So arguably, and many people still argue this today, that An Inspector Calls and its themes can be considered timeless and universal.

So I'd like you to think about this now, which themes from An Inspector Calls do you think could be relevant to today? And can you think of any specific examples from the play, okay? So which themes from An Inspector Calls do you think could be relevant to today and can you think of any specific examples from the play? So when you are ready, pause the video so you can get discussing, think to yourself or even jot down some ideas.

Off you go.

Great, thank you.

It's really lovely to hear your own opinions on those themes and how timeless and universal they actually are to today's society.

So quick question for you, which of these would not, so we're looking for would not be considered a key theme in An Inspector Calls? So I need you to pick your answer, A, B, C, or D now.

Okay, so who's feeling confident? We all think we've got the right answer, shall we have a look? Well done to everyone that said C.

So actually, governmental corruption and power would not be considered a key theme in An Inspector Calls, but social responsibility class and power and age and generational divides would be.

So let's first think about social responsibility 'cause this is a very important theme in An Inspector Calls and social responsibility is the idea that individuals and organisations, so for example, big businesses or governments have a duty to act in ways that benefit society, considering the impact of their actions on others and the community.

So it's this idea that social responsibility isn't just about thinking about yourself, you are also thinking about wider society.

So in that sense, social responsibility could be considered a timeless theme, okay? So I'd like you to think now for yourself and discuss, how might this theme of social responsibility be relevant in today's society? Are there any areas in today's society where you feel more social responsibility is needed? So this is all about your opinions here.

So definitely pause the video to give yourself time to really think about your own ideas about how social responsibility might be relevant in today's society and any areas in society where you feel more social responsibility is needed.

So pause the video and I wanna hear your opinions.

Off you go.

Well done, everyone.

It was really lovely to hear your own opinions on today's society and that theme of social responsibility, but now it's time for true or false.

So true or false? Social responsibility refers to the idea that individuals look after their own interests.

Is that true or false? Come up with your answer now.

Okay, well done to everyone that said that that is false, but we now need to justify why that statement is false.

So come up with your answer for that now.

Okay, so let's share what I have got here.

Hopefully you have something similar.

So actually, social responsibility means caring for the wellbeing of others and wider society, not just on one's own interest.

So actually here, where it says that the idea that individuals look after their own interests, that's false, isn't it? Social responsibility is about the wider society and other people, not just yourself.

The other theme we want to think about is class and power, okay? This is again, a very important theme in An Inspector Calls.

So we've got some words here.

In a moment, I'm going to ask you to discuss how might the following words and phrases link to the play and Priestley's intentions around class and power.

So let's look at these words.

You've got inequality, prejudice, discrimination, expose, critique, exploit, challenge and oppressed.

So if you wish, you may want to go back to that first slide to make sure you know those prejudice, discrimination, exploit what those key words mean.

And then you can discuss how might the following words and phrases link to the play and Priestley's intentions around that theme of class and power.

So when you are ready, pause the video and get discussing.

Off you go.

Great, thank you.

That was a really difficult question, actually.

So that was really good to hear you grappling with some of those bigger ideas and that big theme of class and power in An Inspector Calls.

So I'm going to give you some ideas here.

Some things that you may have considered yourself.

So we've got our key words that were there and some of those other words.

So inequality.

So if we're thinking about this idea of class and power, inequality is explored through Priestley's critique of the stark divisions between the upper and working classes, revealing how the wealthy live with power while the working classes are exploited and oppressed.

So again, if we think about class here, Priestley is really focusing on that inequality, isn't he? And that exploitation and oppression.

Priestley also perhaps aims to expose class prejudice in how the Birlings treat Eva Smith.

So I think again, in terms of class and power, we can see that kind of class prejudice happening there, can't we? And Priestley challenges the absolute power held by the upper classes suggesting that is misguided and dangerous.

So if we think about the Birlings and their role in Eva Smith's downfall, we can see that they are really powerful due to their class and their wealth.

And Priestley is perhaps really challenging this.

And also the treatment of Eva Smith really reveals the discrimination faced by working class women in the Edwardian period.

So again, we see Eva Smith almost powerless due to her class situation.

Okay, so A, B, or C, I'll need you to come up with an answer in a moment, but the question is, which sentence best describes Priestley's intention in exploring the theme of class and power in An Inspector Calls? So which sentence best describes Priestley's intention in exploring the themes of class and power in An Inspector Calls? So you'll need to pick A, B, or C now.

Okay, so quite a tough question that one.

So should we look at the answer? So well done to everyone that got B.

So Priestley critiqued the stark divisions between classes and the exploitation of the working classes.

So our third thing that we are looking at, so we've looked at social responsibility, class and power is generational conflict.

Now, generational conflict is the differences in beliefs, values, or attitudes between different age groups, okay? So often leading to misunderstandings or disagreements.

So it's that idea that perhaps the older and younger generations have different beliefs and values, different ideas about how society should be.

So that's where we can think about generational conflict.

And arguably, generational conflict is considered a timeless theme.

So again, I want you to think about your own experiences and your own opinion here.

So how might this theme be relevant in today's society? How might generational conflict be relevant in today's society? What are some of the issues that the older and younger generations might have differing views on? So think about your experiences today in today's society and do you think that young people are always seen as the solution, and is this fair? So think about kind of current issues and whether maybe you feel that young people are always seen as the solution and whether you think this is fair.

So lots of things to think about there.

And again, this is all about your own experiences and own opinions on this idea of generational conflict and whether it's a timeless theme.

So when you are ready, pause the video, get discussing, you may need to think by yourself or jot some ideas down.

Off you go.

Great, thank you, everyone.

Again, I love hearing your opinions on these themes and that's really important when we are exploring texts, we need to think about our personal responses to these and why they make us think and feel certain ways.

So well done, everyone.

So, we are now at our first practise task.

And again, this requires you to discuss.

So as ever, if you're working by yourself, please do just think quietly to yourself or even write down some of your ideas.

So in a moment, I would like you to discuss the following two questions.

Which theme do you consider to be the most important to society in 1945 and why? Which theme do you consider to be the most important to contemporary society and why? So we're thinking about 1945 and contemporary society.

So remember we looked at social responsibility, class and power, age and generational divides.

So when you are ready, pause the video till you've got time to answer those questions.

Off you go.

Thank you everyone for sharing your insights and your personal responses to those themes.

I really enjoyed hearing some of those.

So we've got Izzy here, and here are some of Izzy's answers.

So let's just see what Izzy came up with.

So she says that she thinks class and power was likely the most relevant in 1945 as society was focused on breaking down social barriers and rebuilding with fairness after the war.

Priestley's message pushed for change in class divisions.

So that's a really good answer there for Izzy.

And for the second question, she said that today, social responsibility feels most relevant.

With global issues like inequality and climate change, people need to consider their impact on others.

Priestley's call to care for society is still powerful.

Some really thoughtful perceptive answers there from Izzy.

So well done, Izzy.

But I would like you now to discuss, do you agree or disagree with Izzy's answers? Think back to your own opinions and I'd like you to consider, do you agree or disagree with Izzy's answers? Pause the video, so you consider this question now.

Okay, so we have already reached the second part of our lesson, so well done for your hard work so far.

So we've now defined those key themes, we understand what they are.

So now we're gonna think about those as we explore Priestley's purpose.

So I want us to think about some contextual information here.

So I'd like you to discuss, please, what do you know about Priestley and the time he was writing, okay? So think back to any historical context you might have looked at, any social context, any biographical context that you may have looked at.

And I'd like you to discuss what do you know about Priestley and the time he was writing.

So pause the videos to give yourself time to discuss this question.

Off you go.

Okay, thanks everyone.

So we have our Oak pupils here.

Laura has said that he wrote the play in 1945, but set it in 1912.

Some very important dates there.

Laura's developed this by saying that society then had strict class divides.

He saw World War II as a chance for change.

So we can see that information there possibly influencing Priestley's writing.

Jun has said about Priestley that he could be considered a social commentator.

So he grew up working class and served in World War I.

So he saw big gaps between the rich and poor and supported the labour party's vision of equality.

So lots of things there potentially influence his writing.

And I think this idea of a social commentator is a really good point from Jun.

Now a social commentator is someone that uses their writing, for example, to make comments on society, okay? And we can see Priestley doing that.

His play makes comments on society.

And Jacob has says that by the 1940s the UK was building a welfare state.

So again, a really peak good piece of information there because arguably, this shaped his ideas about fairness and responsibility in society.

And we can see how this may have impacted his feelings around Eva Smith.

So perhaps if there was a welfare state when Eva Smith was around, what happened to her wouldn't have happened.

Okay, so all of that information can really help us to consider Priestley's purpose and intention when writing An Inspector Calls.

So we want to think about now why he chose specific themes, what he wanted to say about them and what he wanted the audience to think or feel? So true or false? Priestley supported the Labour party and shared its values.

Is that true or false? Gimme your answer now.

Okay, and the answer is true.

So well done everyone, but we need to justify why that answer is true, please.

Off you go.

So hopefully, you have something similar or have considered some similar things.

So Priestley believed in social equality and fairness, values central to the labour party.

His work often highlighted the need for social responsibility and support for the working class.

So thinking about Priestley's intention, okay? We've got some words here that can really help us to comment on his purpose and intention.

So we've got the words, challenge, reveal, inspire, critique, galvanise, and question.

So these words are really useful words in terms of writing about a writer's purpose.

So is the writer trying to challenge a particular idea? Is the writer trying to galvanise the audience or reader into action? Is the writer trying to question a big idea in society? So you can see how these words can be really useful in helping us to comment on a writer's purpose, and in this case, Priestley's purpose.

So we're gonna look an example on the theme of social responsibility, which uses this key vocabulary, okay? So those words, we've just looked at how it's used here.

So if we think about why did he choose this theme? So why did Priestley choose the theme, social responsibility? So arguably, Priestley wants to challenge society's acceptance of class divisions, okay? What does he want to say about it? Priestley perhaps wants to reveal the dangers of ignoring one's duty to others and the consequences of selfishness in society.

So again, you can see the use of that word reveal to really emphasise what Priestley's intentions were.

What does he want the audience to think or feel? So he aims to galvanise the audience to feel accountable for others' welfare and question societal structures, okay? So again, you can see how that key vocabulary can really help you to talk in a sophisticated way about Priestley's purpose.

So now, I want you to do the same, but with the following themes.

So you're going to think about class and power and generational conflict.

And like we've just got done, I'd like you to discuss the following three questions.

Why did he choose these specific themes? What does he want to say about them? And what does he want the audience to think or feel? And we have our key vocabulary there with challenge, critique, reveal, galvanise, inspire and question.

So use those to help you answer those questions.

So when you are ready, pause the video so you can discuss those themes and those questions, you may need to sit and think quietly to yourself or even write some ideas down, okay? Pause the video and off you go.

Okay, fantastic.

Thank you so much for your suggestions there, really great stuff happening and I loved hearing those words like challenge and galvanise, which I think is a great word.

So we can now use all of that to complete task B.

Now we have a statement here, "An Inspector Calls is still taught in schools because Priestley's, purpose to challenge and question societal values remains relevant, prompting critical thinking and discussions about society and human behaviour." Let's just read that through once more.

'cause it's quite a big lengthy statement, isn't it? So "An Inspector Calls is still taught in schools because Priestley's purpose to challenge and question societal values remains relevant, prompting critical thinking and discussions about society and human behaviour," okay? So we're gonna be thinking about that statement and I'd like you please to discuss and debate how far do you agree with this statement? So I'd like you to use the sentence starters to help you, An Inspector Calls could considered timeless.

The theme of is universal because.

And remember to think about Priestley's purpose as well, okay? So really bring that into your discussions and debates.

Okay, I can't wait to see what you come up with.

So when you are ready, pause the video to get this task completed.

Off you go.

Great job, guys.

Some really lively discussions happening there.

It was a great sound to hear you debating those points.

So I've got two pupil responses here, so we'll read those through together and think about your own thoughts as well as we do that.

So pupil one has says, "I agree with the statement because the play explores themes like social responsibility and class inequality, which are still relevant today.

The play encourages us to think critically about how society treats others, especially those from lower social classes.

The theme of social responsibility is universal because no matter the time or place, we should all care about how our actions affect others." Second pupil response, "I partly agree, but I think the play is also a critique of specific historical and social conditions in 1912.

While the themes are relevant, the way they are presented is rooted in that time.

For example, attitudes towards women and the working class were different then.

The theme of class you inequality is universal because it shows how wealth and power can divide society, but some of the specifics may feel outdated to modern audiences." Some really great responses there from our pupils.

So I'd like you to discuss, please, which pupil aligns with your views the most, okay? Pause the video, think about what those pupils have said and discuss which pupil aligns with your views the most.

Off you go.

We have made it to the end of the lesson.

Thank you so much for your excellent contributions today.

There were some really big ideas and concepts to grapple with and you did really well.

So let's just remind ourselves of everything we've covered in the lesson.

We know that a theme is the main idea or message in a text that Priestley explores the themes of social responsibility, age, and class, and power.

Some themes can be considered timeless and universal.

And arguably, themes in An Inspector Calls are still relevant today, which is why it's considered an important text.

So I really hope to see you all again very soon in another Oak English lesson.

Until then, goodbye.