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Year 10
AQA

'An Inspector Calls': understanding and exploring key themes

I can identify and understand key themes in ‘An Inspector Calls’.

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New
New
Year 10
AQA

'An Inspector Calls': understanding and exploring key themes

I can identify and understand key themes in ‘An Inspector Calls’.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A theme is the main idea or message in a text.
  2. Priestley explores the themes of social responsibility, age, class and power.
  3. Some themes can be considered timeless and universal.
  4. Arguably, themes in ‘An Inspector Calls’ are still relevant today which is why it's considered an important text.

Keywords

  • Discrimintation - treating someone unfairly or differently because of characteristics like gender, age, class and ethnicity

  • Exploit - to take advantage of someone or something unfairly, often for personal gain

  • Prejudice - to have an unfair opinion or feeling about someone based on characteristics like gender, age, class and ethnicity

  • Universal - something that applies to everyone or is true in all situations or places

  • Timeless - something that is always relevant or important, no matter the time period

Common misconception

Social responsibility means just helping those in need.

Social responsibility is about considering the impact of our actions on others and society, not just charity. It involves accountability for our role in social issues, like inequality.


To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: 'An Inspector Calls': understanding and exploring key themes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage pupils to consider contemporary examples of the themes and explore their own experiences, to enrich their understanding of the relevance of the play.
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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
supervision-level

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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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the setting for 'An Inspector Calls'?
The Birling home, 1945
Correct answer: The Birling home, 1912
A factory, 1912
A police station, 1945
Q2.
In 'An Inspector Calls', who is the first character to be questioned by Inspector Goole?
Sheila
Eric
Mrs. Birling
Correct answer: Mr. Birling
Q3.
J.B. Priestley’s political views are most aligned with which ideology?
capitalism
Correct answer: socialism
marxism
conservatism
Q4.
In 'An Inspector Calls' what is the name of Sheila's fiancé?
Correct Answer: Gerald Croft, Gerald
Q5.
Match the character from 'An Inspector Calls' with the correct description.
Correct Answer:Arthur Birling,Wealthy businessman, confident in his capitalist views.
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Wealthy businessman, confident in his capitalist views.

Correct Answer:Sybil Birling,Proud, cold, and dismissive; holds strict moral beliefs.
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Proud, cold, and dismissive; holds strict moral beliefs.

Correct Answer:Sheila Birling,Young, perceptive, and regretful of her actions toward Eva.
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Young, perceptive, and regretful of her actions toward Eva.

Correct Answer:Eric Birling,Troubled, remorseful son; struggles with guilt and responsibility.
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Troubled, remorseful son; struggles with guilt and responsibility.

Correct Answer:Gerald Croft,Charming fiancé, but complicit in mistreating Eva.
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Charming fiancé, but complicit in mistreating Eva.

Correct Answer:Eva Smith,Victim of the Birlings’ actions; represents the working class.
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Victim of the Birlings’ actions; represents the working class.

Q6.
In which fictional industrial town is 'An Inspector Calls' set?
Correct Answer: Brumley

6 Questions

Q1.
Which answer best describes a theme?
the setting or location of the story
Correct answer: the main ideas or messages that run through the entire text
the specific actions that occur in the plot
the names of the characters in the play
Q2.
Which of these could be considered key themes in ‘An Inspector Calls’?
Correct answer: social responsibility
governmental corruption
Correct answer: class and power
Correct answer: generational conflict
environmental stability
Q3.
Which of the answers is false? In 'An Inspector Calls' Sheila and Eric...
show guilt and take responsibility for their actions.
Correct answer: reject the Inspector’s message.
represent the younger generation’s potential for change.
acknowledge their role in Eva Smith’s death
Q4.
The themes in 'An Inspector Calls' could be described as ...
obsolete
Correct answer: timeless
dated
Correct answer: universal
archaic
Q5.
Which word beginning with 'p' can be described as: 'to have an unfair opinion or feeling about someone based on characteristics like gender, age, class and ethnicity'?
Correct Answer: prejudice
Q6.
Which of the following is an example of prejudice in 'An Inspector Calls'?
Sheila's remorse after discovering her role in Eva's death.
Correct answer: Mrs. Birling's refusal to help Eva Smith because of her social status.
Eric’s anger at his family’s treatment of Eva Smith.
The Inspector’s criticism of the Birlings' lack of social responsibility.