'An Inspector Calls': the importance of setting and stage directions
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the importance of setting and understand how stage directions can be used to develop effective characterisation.
Key learning points
- Priestley uses the setting to establish the Birlings' wealth and upper-class lifestyle.
- The setting reveals the importance of status and appearance and how this is challenged by the Inspector.
- Priestley uses specific and detailed stage directions to develop characterisation.
- When reading a play, the stage directions can help develop our understanding of a character and their internal states.
- The play could be presented in naturalistic or theatrical way.
Keywords
Stage directions - instructions in a play that describe how to move, speak, or behave, and the setting, lighting, and sound to help convey the atmosphere and tone
Substantial - important, or of significant value
Characterisation - how a character's traits and personality are revealed through their actions, dialogue, and interactions
Naturalistic - portray characters realistically, focusing on natural dialogue, movements, and emotions to reflect real life
Theatrical - exaggerate gestures, expressions, and speech to create a more dramatic and impactful effect
Common misconception
When analysing a play, you only focus on the characters' dialogue.
Stage directions can provide a lot of clues around the writer's intention and vision. They also offer an understanding of charcaterisation.
Teacher tip
You may want to consider how you manage the reading of the play throughout the lesson - it could be pairs, small groups or as a class. The tasks can also be adpated so individuals working on their own can access them.
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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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is happening at the start of 'An Inspector Calls'?
Q2.Where is Priestley's 'An Inspector Calls' set?
Q3.Which of the answers is false? In 'An Inspector Calls', Mr. Birling...
Q4.In 'An Inspector Calls', which character refuses to help Eva Smith when she comes to the charity for support?
Q5.Match the characters from 'An Inspector Calls' to the correct description of their role in Eva Smith's death.
Fires Eva Smith for her role in a workers' dispute over pay.
Stole money to to help Eva Smith after discovering her pregnancy.
Has Eva Smith fired over jealousy of a dress.
Had an affair with Eva Smith and supported her financially for a time.
Q6.What does the term 'setting' refer to in a play?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.'An Inspector Calls' is set in...
Q2.The stage directions in a play include...
Q3.In 'An Inspector Calls' which words does Priestley use to describe the lighting at the start of Act 1?
Q4.Match the characters from 'An Inspector Calls' to the correct words used to describe them in the stage directions.
“portentous” “provincial”
“cold” “superior”
“pretty” “pleased” “excited”
“attractive” “well-bred” “man-about-town”
“shy” “assertive”
Q5.Is the answer true or false? A naturalistic delivery refers to the portrayal of characters realistically, focusing on authentic dialogue, movements and emotions to reflect real life.
Q6.In 'An Inspector Calls', which word is used in the stage directions to describe how the Inspector "surveys" the family in his final speech?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: 'An Inspector Calls': the importance of setting and stage directions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: 'An Inspector Calls': the importance of setting and stage directions, 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.