Considering ‘An Inspector Calls’ as a political text
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how ‘An Inspector Calls’ can be interpreted as a political text.
Key learning points
- ‘An Inspector Calls’ can be interpreted as a political manifesto, propaganda and a persuasive drama.
- The Inspector's language is both didactic, teaching morals, and persuasive, urging reflection on social responsibility.
- Arguably, Priestley's exaggerated portrayal of the Birlings reinforces his socialist message.
- The Birlings’ lack of nuance may alienate audiences with opposing views, limiting more complex reflection.
Keywords
Manifesto - a public declaration of policies or beliefs, typically political
Didactic - intended to teach or instruct, often in a way that is overly focused on moral lessons or guidance
Propaganda - information, often biased, used to promote or influence public opinion
Characterisation - the way a writer develops and presents a character's traits and personality
Grotesque - a distorted or exaggerated portrayal of characters to create discomfort or highlight flaws
Common misconception
Priestley wrote 'An Inspector Calls' solely to change the views of his audience.
While it may seem that Priestley wrote 'An Inspector Calls' solely to change the views of his audience, it could also be argued that a 1945 audience would lean towards socialist ideals and therefore his play aimed to solidify these views.
Teacher tip
Once the planning task has been completed in Task B, you could ask the pupils to write up their plans into full paragraphs. This would also make a useful homework task.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of ‘An Inspector Calls’ by J.B. Priestley, Heinemann 2014 edition.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Starting with the first, put these plot points from 'An Inspector Calls' into chronological order.
Q2.In 'An Inspector Calls' which character refers to Eva Smith as a "sort" of girl.
Q3.J.B. Priestley’s political views are most aligned with which ideology?
Q4.Which of the following is an example of prejudice in 'An Inspector Calls'?
Q5.In 'An Inspector Calls', which word is used in the stage directions to describe how the Inspector "surveys" the family in his final speech?
Q6.Which character in 'An Inspector Calls' is described as "portentous" and "provincial" in the opening stage directions?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the word to its correct definition.
a public declaration of policies or beliefs, typically political
information, often biased, used to promote or influence public opinion
a play that presents a strong argument but encourages engagement
Q2.Which word beginning with 'd' can be defined as: intended to teach or instruct, often in a way that is overly focused on moral lessons or guidance
Q3.In his final speech in 'An Inspector Calls', The Inspector uses both "we" and "you". These are examples of:
Q4.In what way could 'An Inspector Calls' be described as a political text?
Q5.What political event in 1945 is significant to the context of 'An Inspector Calls'?
Q6.Which of the following offers the most effective criticism of the Birlings' portrayal in 'An Inspector Calls'?
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Considering ‘An Inspector Calls’ as a political text, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Considering ‘An Inspector Calls’ as a political text, 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’: Priestley’s theatrical strategy; politics, genre, and form unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.