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Year 10
AQA

'An Inspector Calls': exploring class and power through Gerald and Eva

I can understand and explain the significance of the characters Gerald Croft and Eva Smith while considering them as character foils.

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Year 10
AQA

'An Inspector Calls': exploring class and power through Gerald and Eva

I can understand and explain the significance of the characters Gerald Croft and Eva Smith while considering them as character foils.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Gerald is established as an “attractive” and “well-bred” man, emphasising his social status.
  2. Gerald presents himself as the hero of his narrative, but this can be challenged.
  3. Priestley uses the character of Eva Smith to represent the working classes as a whole.
  4. Priestley’s choice of name reflects the importance of Eva’s character.
  5. Eva and Gerald could be seen as foils to each other to represent the stark differences in their experiences.

Keywords

  • Foreshadow - to hint or suggest something that will happen later in a story

  • Superficial - something that is only concerned with, or looks at, the outward appearance, not deep or meaningful

  • Motive - the reason or intention behind a person's actions or behavior

  • Foil - a character who contrasts with another character

  • Comparative conjunction - words used to show how two things are similar or different

Common misconception

Gerald's actions are based entirely on kindess and he did a good thing in supporting Eva.

Gerald’s actions may seem kind, but they are driven by self-interest and privilege. He offers Eva financial support, but it is not out of pure kindness—he uses his power to control her, ultimately exploiting her for his own benefit.


To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: 'An Inspector Calls': exploring class and power through Gerald and Eva, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Tasks A and B can be completed as written tasks if dicussion is not a viable option for your pupils.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of ‘An Inspector Calls’ by J.B. Priestley, Heinemann 2014 edition.

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Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sexual content
  • Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision required

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In 'An Inspector Calls', what is Gerald relationship to Sheila?
friend
brother
cousin
Correct answer: fiancé
business partner
Q2.
In 'An Inspector Calls', what is Gerald's full name?
Correct Answer: Gerald Croft, Croft
Q3.
In 'An Inspector Calls', when Gerald meets Eva she has a different name. What is it?
Daisy Smith
Correct answer: Daisy Renton
Eva Renton
Daisy Birling
Eva Birling
Q4.
Starting with the first, put the plot points from 'An Inspector Calls' in chronological order. They are all focused on the character of Eva Smith.
1 - Eva Smith is a working-class woman employed at Birling & Co.
2 - She is dismissed by Mr. Birling.
3 - Eva finds work at Milward's but is fired after Sheila complains about her.
4 - She changes her name to Daisy Renton and meets Gerald.
5 - Gerald helps her temporarily but eventually ends the relationship.
6 - Eva falls into poverty and is forced into a life of hardship.
7 - Eva Smith eventually takes her life, leading to the Inspector’s investigation.
Q5.
Is the answer true or false? Mr. Birling fires Eva Smith for striking for higher wages.
Correct Answer: true, t
Q6.
The stage directions in a play include ...
Correct answer: how to move
dialogue
Correct answer: descriptions of characters
Correct answer: how to deliver lines
the cast members

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In 'An Inspector Calls', Gerald could be considered an narrator.
Correct Answer: unreliable
Q2.
In 'An Inspector Calls', what could be considered the primary role of Gerald Croft in the play?
to represent the working class
to challenge the Inspector's views
Correct answer: to represent upper-class privilege
to reveal the flaws in the Birlings' family structure
Q3.
In 'An Inspector Calls', why might Gerald Croft be considered a character foil to Eva Smith?
Gerald and Eva both come from similar social backgrounds.
Gerald and Eva both challenge societal expectations.
Correct answer: Gerald represents privilege and Eva represents the oppressed.
Gerald and Eva share similar personalities.
Q4.
Which sentence does not use a comparative conjunction?
However, Gerald’s privilege protects him from consequences.
Eva, on the other hand, faces harsh consequences for her actions.
Contrastingly, Eva represents the working class struggle.
Correct answer: Eva and Gerald represent the opposite ends of the class system.
Q5.
Is the answer true or false? In 'An Inspector Calls', Gerald acknowledges the power imbalance between himself and Eva.
Correct Answer: false, f
Q6.
In 'An Inspector Calls', how does Gerald Croft's societal position affect his relationship with Eva Smith?
Arguably, he is able to help her equally as a fellow working-class individual.
Correct answer: Arguably, he uses his privilege to control and exploit her.
Arguably, he is unable to help her due to his own financial struggles.
Arguably, he treats her as a close equal without any power imbalance.