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Year 11
AQA

Exploring how Priestley portrays punishment and justice in 'An Inspector Calls’

I can explain how Priestley portrays and challenges ideas around justice and punishment.

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New
New
Year 11
AQA

Exploring how Priestley portrays punishment and justice in 'An Inspector Calls’

I can explain how Priestley portrays and challenges ideas around justice and punishment.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

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

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Priestley critiques legal justice as biased, showing how wealth and status protect the powerful from consequences.
  2. The play highlights moral punishment, as guilt and reflection shape true justice rather than legal penalties.
  3. The Inspector enforces psychological punishment, forcing characters to confront their moral failures.
  4. Priestley presents justice as social responsibility, urging collective change over punitive measures.
  5. Priestley suggests justice involves personal growth and moral reckoning, not just legal retribution.

Keywords

  • Justice - the pursuit of fairness and the proper treatment of individuals within society

  • Punishment - a consequence imposed for wrongdoing, often to deter future offences or promote change

  • Punitive - something that is intended to punish or inflict a penalty

  • Rehablilitation - the process of restoring someone to a positive state, particularly through correctional or educational measures

  • Systemic - refers to issues deeply embedded in society, affecting its social, political, or economic structures

Common misconception

Justice is exclusively linked to legal punishment.

In 'An Inspector Calls', Priestley challenges the idea that justice is solely legal. He presents moral and psychological punishment, showing that guilt and self-reflection drive real change, not just legal consequences.


To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Exploring how Priestley portrays punishment and justice in 'An Inspector Calls’, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You could invite pupils to discuss real-world cases where justice was served through moral accountability rather than legal action, such as social movements or public apologies from influential figures.
Teacher tip

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 sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

Supervision

Adult supervision required

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.
In 'An Inspector Calls', which character is the only one to have committed a legal crime?
Gerald
Correct answer: Eric
Sheila
Mr Birling
Mrs Birling
Q2.
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
Q3.
In 'An Inspector Calls', the Inspector can be interpreted in different ways. Which of the following answers would not be considered a valid interpretation?
The Inspector as a mouthpiece for Priestley’s socialist ideals.
The Inspector as a supernatural being with otherworldly powers.
The Inspector as a symbol of divine justice.
Correct answer: The Inspector as a conventional police officer enforcing the law.
Q4.
Which word beginning with 'o' can be described as all-knowing and seeing everything, past, present, and future?
Correct answer: omniscient
omnipotent
omnifarious
omnivorous
Q5.
In An Inspector Calls, how could Eric’s guilt reflect Priestley’s views on crime and responsibility?
Crime should always be punished by the law.
Correct answer: Personal responsibility is crucial in addressing wrongdoings.
Societal norms should always justify individual actions.
Only legal consequences can bring true justice.
Q6.
Is this statement true or false? The writer of 'An Inspector Calls', J.B Priestley, was a prominent member of the Conservative party.
Correct Answer: false, f, False

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following best describes Priestley's presentation of punishment in 'An Inspector Calls'?
Legal punishment is the only form of justice.
Correct answer: Psychological punishment and moral reflection are central to justice.
Only physical punishment serves as justice.
Justice is always achieved through financial penalties.
Q2.
Rehabilitative punishment refers to the idea that...
Justice is achieved by imposing harsh penalties for wrongdoing.
Correct answer: Wrongdoers should be reformed through education and personal growth.
Legal consequences are sufficient to address moral failings.
Society should ignore the actions of those who make mistakes.
Q3.
Which type of punishment beginning with 'p' can be described as: focused on inflicting a penalty or suffering as a form of retribution.
Correct Answer: punitive
Q4.
Arguably, what kind of punishment does Priestley imply is most effective in achieving true justice in 'An Inspector Calls'?
Punitive, legal measures like fines and imprisonment.
Correct answer: Moral and psychological punishment, involving guilt and personal growth.
Economic punishment through wealth redistribution.
Complete avoidance of any form of punishment.
Q5.
Which of the following best reflects Priestley’s critique of traditional justice in 'An Inspector Calls'?
The wealthy and powerful always receive the justice they deserve.
Social responsibility is irrelevant to justice.
Legal justice is always fair and sufficient.
Correct answer: Moral justice, not legal punishment, is the key to societal progress.
Q6.
Which answer best describes how Priestley uses the character of Mr Birling to critique the legal system in 'An Inspector Calls'?
Mr Birling believes legal systems are always fair and accessible to everyone.
Correct answer: Mr Birling thinks his status protects him, showing the system is biased.
Mr Birling rejects the idea of legal justice, advocating for moral reckoning.
Mr Birling supports workers' rights and equality in legal systems.