the purpose or aim behind someone’s actions or words; what they plan or hope to achieve

a confident statement or claim about something

'An Inspector Calls': understanding context and Priestley’s influences

English

In 'Animal Farm: The Pigs and Power', pupils develop a clear understanding of the plot, main characters and themes of the novella. In the second exploration unit, 'Animal Farm: Barriers to Leadership', pupils undertake more nuanced analysis of the pigs grasp for power.

In 'Lord of the Flies', pupils explore how power corrupts and destroys communities. 'In Animal Farm: The Pigs and Power', pupils focus on how power corrupts the pigs, leading to the downfall of their utopian dream.

In this unit, pupils start their exploration of the characters, themes and ideas in 'An Inspector Calls'. They first look at the key context behind the play, before exploring each of the main characters and themes. They finally plan and write an essay about the role of responsibility in the play.

Modern text: first study

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of serious mental health issues including eating disorders, self-harm, suicide or attempted suicide, or the aftermath of such an event.

Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

The writer of 'An Inspector Calls', J.B. Priestley, was born in...

Perhaps he hoped his audience might recognise the need for change.

This may reflect Priestley’s hope for a more just society.

Priestley served as a soldier in World War I.

Arguably, Priestley’s industrial upbringing exposed him to class inequalities.

Which of the following sentences does **not** use tentative language?

'An Inspector Calls' is set in 1912 which is considered the {{}} period.

Which word can be described as: 'to give an opinion or judgement?

In 'An Inspector Calls' which character refers to Eva Smith as a "sort" of girl.

In which year is 'An Inspector Calls' set?

In which year did J.B. Priestley write 'An Inspector Calls' ?

The Birlings celebrate Sheila and Gerald’s engagement.

Birling dismisses war and social responsibility in his speech.

Inspector Goole arrives and announces a woman's suicide.

Birling admits firing the woman for demanding higher wages.

Sheila reveals she got the woman dismissed out of jealousy.

Gerald confesses to a past affair with the woman.

Eric admits to exploiting the woman and stealing to support her.

Starting with the first, put these plot points from 'An Inspector Calls' into chronological order.

What is the name of the woman who is at the centre of the Inspector's investigation in 'An Inspector Calls'?

In 'An Inspector Calls' which character first learns about the death from Inspector Goole?

In 'An Inspector Calls' who is described as both "shy" and "assertive"?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of serious crime

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

'An Inspector Calls': understanding context and Priestley’s influences

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.