'An Inspector Calls' and the morality play tradition
I can explain how ‘An Inspector Calls’ draws on the morality play tradition.
'An Inspector Calls' and the morality play tradition
I can explain how ‘An Inspector Calls’ draws on the morality play tradition.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Morality plays personify virtues and vices to teach moral lessons.
- Priestley uses the Inspector as the embodiment of virtue.
- Eva Smith represents social injustice, subverting the ‘everyman’ protagonist.
- The Birlings act as vice characters, highlighting moral failings of the upper class.
- The play’s structure mirrors a morality play, leading to judgment and reflection.
Keywords
Virtue - behaviour that reflects high moral standards
Vice - immoral or wicked behaviour
Allegorical - having symbolic or deeper meaning
Hubris - excessive pride or self-confidence, often leading to arrogance and a disregard for others or consequences
Antagonistic - opposing or actively resisting something, often in a hostile or combative manner
Common misconception
Texts can only be compared to others from the same time period or literary movement.
In reality, comparing texts across different periods or movements can enrich understanding, as themes, ideas, and literary techniques often transcend time.
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: 'An Inspector Calls' and the morality play tradition, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: 'An Inspector Calls' and the morality play tradition, 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.
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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’: Priestley’s theatrical strategy; politics, genre, and form 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
focuses on emotional experiences, often with exaggerated characters
depicts life realistically with true-to-life dialogue and settings
encourages critical thinking on social issues using alienation
promotes socialist ideals, showing heroic working-class figures
Exit quiz
6 Questions
hubris
envy
anger
pride
lust