'An Inspector Calls': exploring the character of Eric
I can understand and explain the significance of Eric while considering multiple interpretations.
'An Inspector Calls': exploring the character of Eric
I can understand and explain the significance of Eric while considering multiple interpretations.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Eric is established as a moral voice at the start of the play, but lacks the ability to be assertive.
- Priestley uses emotive language to portray the impact the Inspector has on Eric.
- The Inspector appears to be more lenient with Eric and acts as a moral guide.
- It could be argued that Eric is an unreliable narrator when explaining his involvement with Eva.
- Tentative language can be used to explore and develop alternative interpretations.
Keywords
Assertive - confidently expressing your opinions or needs in a clear and respectful way
Lenient - being forgiving or more merciful, showing less strictness or severity in judgement or punishment
Unreliable - not able to be trusted or depended on, often due to inconsistency or inaccuracy
Narrative - a story or account of events, real or imagined, told in a specific order
Tentative - hesitant, or not fully decided, often used to suggest a possibility rather than a definite conclusion
Common misconception
Eric’s guilt makes him fully sympathetic.
Eric's actions and narrative can still be challenged. For example, his attempts to downplay his responsibility may show his moral flaws.
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: 'An Inspector Calls': exploring the character of Eric, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: 'An Inspector Calls': exploring the character of Eric, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 english lessons from the An Inspector Calls: power and responsibility unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of ‘An Inspector Calls’ by J.B. Priestley, Heinemann 2014 edition.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of sexual violence
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
- Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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