'An Inspector Calls': exploring the character of Mrs. Birling
I can understand and explain the presentation and significance of Mrs. Birling.
'An Inspector Calls': exploring the character of Mrs. Birling
I can understand and explain the presentation and significance of Mrs. Birling.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Mrs. Birling could reflect stereotypical attitudes of upper class Edwardian society.
- Priestley uses the older generation of Birlings to critique Edwardian attitudes.
- Mrs Birling’s interrogation reveals her attitude towards the working class and social responsibility.
- When writing about a character it can be useful to consider how they are presented throughout the play.
Keywords
Stereotypical - a widely held but oversimplified belief or idea about a particular group of people or things
Empathy - the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person
Moral - related to principles of right and wrong behavior
Impertinent - rude or showing a lack of respect
Superior - acting in a way that shows you think you are better or more important than others
Common misconception
Mrs. Birling’s interrogation shows her changing attitude towards responsibility.
Although Mrs. Birling has some revelations about her family towards the end of Act 2, her attitude remains unchanged at the end of the play. She stubbornly refuses to accept any responsibility, reinforcing her commitment to class prejudices.
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: 'An Inspector Calls': exploring the character of Mrs. Birling, 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 Mrs. Birling, 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 mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
“portentous” “provincial”
“cold” “superior”
“pretty” “pleased” “excited”
“attractive” “well-bred” “man-about-town”
“shy” “assertive”