'An Inspector Calls': understanding and exploring key themes
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify and understand key themes in ‘An Inspector Calls’.
Key learning points
- A theme is the main idea or message in a text.
- Priestley explores the themes of social responsibility, age, class and power.
- Some themes can be considered timeless and universal.
- Arguably, themes in ‘An Inspector Calls’ are still relevant today which is why it's considered an important text.
Keywords
Discrimination - treating someone unfairly or differently because of characteristics like gender, age, class and ethnicity
Exploit - to take advantage of someone or something unfairly, often for personal gain
Prejudice - to have an unfair opinion or feeling about someone based on characteristics like gender, age, class and ethnicity
Universal - something that applies to everyone or is true in all situations or places
Timeless - something that is always relevant or important, no matter the time period
Common misconception
Social responsibility means just helping those in need.
Social responsibility is about considering the impact of our actions on others and society, not just charity. It involves accountability for our role in social issues, like inequality.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils to consider contemporary examples of the themes and explore their own experiences, to enrich their understanding of the relevance of the play.
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 the setting for 'An Inspector Calls'?
Q2.In 'An Inspector Calls', who is the first character to be questioned by Inspector Goole?
Q3.J.B. Priestley’s political views are most aligned with which ideology?
Q4.In 'An Inspector Calls' what is the name of Sheila's fiancé?
Q5.Match the character from 'An Inspector Calls' with the correct description.
Wealthy businessman, confident in his capitalist views.
Proud, cold, and dismissive; holds strict moral beliefs.
Young, perceptive, and regretful of her actions toward Eva.
Troubled, remorseful son; struggles with guilt and responsibility.
Charming fiancé, but complicit in mistreating Eva.
Victim of the Birlings’ actions; represents the working class.
Q6.In which fictional industrial town is 'An Inspector Calls' set?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which answer best describes a theme?
Q2.Which of these could be considered key themes in ‘An Inspector Calls’?
Q3.Which of the answers is false? In 'An Inspector Calls' Sheila and Eric...
Q4.The themes in 'An Inspector Calls' could be described as ...
Q5.Which word beginning with 'p' can be described as: 'to have an unfair opinion or feeling about someone based on characteristics like gender, age, class and ethnicity'?
Q6.Which of the following is an example of prejudice in 'An Inspector Calls'?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: 'An Inspector Calls': understanding and exploring key themes, 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': understanding and exploring key themes, 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.