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Year 10
AQA

'An Inspector Calls': exploring the character of Mr. Birling

I can understand the role, presentation and significance of Mr. Birling.

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Year 10
AQA

'An Inspector Calls': exploring the character of Mr. Birling

I can understand the role, presentation and significance of Mr. Birling.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Priestley uses dramatic irony to establish the character of Mr. Birling as foolish.
  2. Priestley uses both monologues and dramatic irony to emphasise Mr. Birling’s arrogance.
  3. Priestley uses Mr. Birling to critique the upper class attitudes towards social responsibility, class and power.
  4. The end of the play emphasises the generational conflict between the younger and older Birlings.

Keywords

  • Dramatic irony - a situation where the audience knows something that the characters do not

  • Monologue - a speech by one character, usually expressing thoughts or feelings, often delivered alone or to an audience within a play

  • Arrogance - thinking you are better or more important than others, often in a way that is overconfident or dismissive

  • Jovial - cheerful, friendly, and full of good humor

Common misconception

Isn't the fact that Mr. Birling wants to look after himself and his family a good thing?

It's understandable to think that Mr. Birling's focus on looking after himself and his family could be seen as positive. However, Priestley shows that Mr. Birling's attitude is self-serving and dismissive of wider societal responsibilities.


To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: 'An Inspector Calls': exploring the character of Mr. Birling, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You may wish to consider how you approach the reading of the text in this lesson - getting students to read the text aloud can be a great way to develop an understanding of characterisation.
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Teacher tip
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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 mental health issues
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Supervision

Adult supervision required

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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.
These plot points from 'An Inspector Calls' focus on the character of Mr. Birling. Starting with the first, put them into chronological order.
1 - Mr. Birling is described as "portentous" in the stage directions.
2 - Mr. Birling predicts no war will occur, showing his arrogance and ignorance.
3 - It is revealed that Mr. Birling fired Eva Smith.
4 - He states that he can't be responsible; it would be "awkward" if everyone was.
5 - Mr. Birling realises that Eric is involved in Eva's death.
6 - He dismissed the Inspector's visit as hoax and is "amused".
7 - Mr. Birling tells the family that an inspector is on the way.
Q2.
In 'An Inspector Calls', why does Mr. Birling fire Eva Smith?
She stole money.
Correct answer: She asked for higher wages.
She missed too many days of work.
She argued with him.
Q3.
In 'An Inspector Calls', what does Mr. Birling say about the Titanic?
Correct answer: it's "unsinakable"
it will sail "forever"
it's the "future of travel"
it's going on a "dangerous" journey
Q4.
In 'An Inspector Calls' it is discovered that the character or Eva Smith goes by a different name. What is that name?
Correct Answer: Daisy Renton, Daisy, Renton
Q5.
The stage directions in a play do not include...
Correct answer: the cast members
descriptions of characters
how to deliver lines
Correct answer: dialogue
how to move
Q6.
Is the answer true or false? 'In An Inspector Calls', Mr. Birling believes in the importance of social responsibility.
Correct Answer: false, f

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
At the end of 'An Inspector Calls', how does Mr. Birling react to the Inspector's visit?
He admits his mistakes and takes responsibility.
He denies everything and remains unrepentant.
He is deeply remorseful and changes his views.
Correct answer: He insists that the Inspector was a fake and irrelevant.
Q2.
Which dramatic technique can be described as: 'a speech by one character, usually expressing their thoughts or feelings, often delivered alone or to an audience within a play.'?
Correct Answer: monologue, dramatic monologue, a monologue, a dramatic monologue
Q3.
Which definition best describes dramatic irony?
Correct answer: a situation where the audience knows something that the characters do not
when the characters in a play agree on the events that are happening
when a character says something, but it is not true
when two characters share a secret that the audience does not know
Q4.
Is the answer true or false? In 'An Inspector Calls' the stage directions describe Mr.Birling as "pretentious".
Correct Answer: false, f
Q5.
In Act 1 of 'An Inspector Calls', Mr. Birling uses a simile to describe a the concept of community and social responsibility. What animal does he use as the comparison?
sheep
ants
Correct answer: bees
fish
lion
Q6.
In 'An Inspector Calls', how is capitalism portrayed?
as a system that benefits everyone equally
as a fair system that encourages social responsibility
Correct answer: as a system that promotes individual success at the expense of others
as a way to solve social problems