Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
Teachers
Pupils
icon-background-square
New
New
Year 10
Eduqas

'An Inspector Calls': exploring the character of the Inspector

I can understand the role, presentation and significance of the Inspector.

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
arrow-right
icon-background-square
New
New
Year 10
Eduqas

'An Inspector Calls': exploring the character of the Inspector

I can understand the role, presentation and significance of the Inspector.

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
arrow-right
warning

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
View new resources
arrow-right

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Priestley establishes the Inspector as an ominous and imposing presence in Act 1.
  2. Priestley reveals that the Inspector is not intimidated by class or societal power.
  3. The Inspector’s interrogation style could be considered unorthodox.
  4. The Inspector uses emotive and shocking language to provoke strong emotional reactions from the characters and audience.
  5. There are multiple interpretations to explain the role of the Inspector.

Keywords

  • Ominous - suggesting that something bad or threatening is going to happen

  • Imposing - having a large, impressive, or intimidating appearance

  • Manipulative - the controlling or influencing of others

  • Unorthodox - different from what is usual or traditional

  • Emotive - causing strong emotions or feelings

Common misconception

There is always one clear and deifnite interpretation of a charcater.

Characters can have multiple interpretations based on context, perspective, and evidence in the text. Writers like Priestley create complex characters to provoke debate and reflection.

You may wish to complete Task C as a written task depending on the needs of your class or pupils. Likewise, Task A and B can be completed as discussion tasks.
speech-bubble
Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

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

content-guidance

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • 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

Skip lesson video

Loading...

Starter quiz

Download starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
In 'An Inspector Calls' the inspector's full name is Inspector .
Correct Answer: Goole
Q2.
In Act 2 of 'An Inspector Calls', what does Gerald admit?
He was responsible for Eva Smith's death.
He did not know Eva Smith at all.
Correct answer: He had an affair with Daisy Renton.
He disagreed with Mr. Birling’s views.
Q3.
What does the term 'characterisation' refer to in a play?
the physical appearance of a character
Correct answer: the way a character's personality is developed and presented
the plot events surrounding a character
the setting where a character lives
Q4.
What does the word 'interpretation' mean when exploring a text?
the way the text was written by the writer
the physical setting described in the text
the events that happen in the story
Correct answer: the personal understanding or explanation of the text’s meaning
Q5.
Match the character from 'An Inspector Calls' to the correct words used in the stage directions to describe them.
Correct Answer:Mr. Birling,"portentous" "provincial"
tick

"portentous" "provincial"

Correct Answer:Mrs. Birling,"superior" "cold"
tick

"superior" "cold"

Correct Answer:Sheila,"pretty" "excited" "pleased"
tick

"pretty" "excited" "pleased"

Correct Answer:Eric,"shy" "assertive"
tick

"shy" "assertive"

Correct Answer:Inspector Goole,"massiveness" "purposefulness"
tick

"massiveness" "purposefulness"

Correct Answer:Gerald,"well-bred" "man-about-town"
tick

"well-bred" "man-about-town"

Q6.
In Act 3 of 'An Inspector Calls', the Inspector delivers a speech where he states that men will be taught a lesson. Which words does he use to describe how or where this will happen?
Correct answer: fire
prison
Correct answer: blood
hell
Correct answer: anguish

Exit quiz

Download exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
In 'An Inspector Calls', the doorbell rings to signal the entrance of the Inspector. Which word does Priestley use to describe its sound?
Correct answer: "sharply"
"softly"
"loudly"
"deafeningly"
Q2.
Is the answer true or false? In 'An Inspector Calls', Act 1, the Inspector is described as having "solidity".
Correct Answer: True
Q3.
In 'An Inspector Calls', which words does Priestley use to describe the way the Inspector should talk?
"loudly"
Correct answer: "carefully"
Correct answer: "weightily"
"dramatically"
"sarcastically"
Q4.
In Act 1 of 'An Inspector Calls', Mr. Birling mentions his positions of power and connections, which does he mention?
chair of the Conservative party
magistrate
Correct answer: alderman
Correct answer: knows the Brumley police
Correct answer: Lord Mayor
Q5.
Which word beginning with 'o' can be described as: 'suggesting that something bad or threatening is going to happen.'?
Correct Answer: ominous
Q6.
In Act 3 of 'An Inspector Calls', the Inspector delivers a powerful speech where he says there are millions of...
Eric Birlings
Correct answer: Eva Smiths
Gerald Crofts
Correct answer: John Smiths
Ednas