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Year 11
Edexcel

The Inspector as a supernatural figure in 'An Inspector Calls'

I can analyse the Inspector's supernatural qualities.

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New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

The Inspector as a supernatural figure in 'An Inspector Calls'

I can analyse the Inspector's supernatural qualities.

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. The Inspector’s supernatural traits suggest he operates beyond conventional reality, elevating his role.
  2. His eerie knowledge and prophetic understanding hint at an otherworldly presence creating tension and unease.
  3. The Inspector's mysterious arrival and departure imply a figure beyond human law enforcement.
  4. His true identity remains unclear, leading the audience to question his divine or ghostly nature.
  5. Priestley uses the supernatural to elevate the moral and social themes including crime, punishment and justice.

Keywords

  • Supernatural - beyond the natural world, often linked to magic, ghosts, or divine forces that defy logical explanation

  • Transcends - to rise above or go beyond ordinary limits, surpassing human understanding

  • Omniscience - knowing and seeing everything, past, present, and future

  • Prophetic - foretelling the future with mystical insight, suggesting knowledge of events yet to come

  • Divine - relating to a god or supreme being, associated with ultimate moral authority or supernatural power

Common misconception

The Inspector is a ghost and his supernatural qualitites should be interpreted literally.

Whilst this is one interpretation, it must be considered alongside the symbolic value of the Inspector’s supernatural elements and Priestley’s purpose.


To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: The Inspector as a supernatural figure in 'An Inspector Calls', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

The mind map activity at the start is to consolidate prior knowledge. You may wish to refer to your initial readings of the text to prompt the pupils and when giving feedback.
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 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.
If something is considered supernatural it can be described as:
ordinary and explainable
Correct answer: beyond natural laws or scientific understanding
common and predictable
proven by science
Q2.
Match the character from 'An Inspector Calls' to the correct words used in the stage directions to describe them.
Correct Answer:Mr Birling,"portentous" "provincial"

"portentous" "provincial"

Correct Answer:Mrs Birling,"superior" "cold"

"superior" "cold"

Correct Answer:Sheila,"pretty" "excited" "pleased"

"pretty" "excited" "pleased"

Correct Answer:Eric,"shy" "assertive"

"shy" "assertive"

Correct Answer:Inspector Goole,"massiveness" "purposefulness"

"massiveness" "purposefulness"

Correct Answer:Gerald,"well-bred" "man-about-town"

"well-bred" "man-about-town"

Q3.
In 'An Inspector Calls', what is the significance of the Inspector’s name, “Goole”?
It means “leader” in Latin.
Correct answer: It hints at a supernatural or ghostly presence.
It represents wealth and power.
It is a common police surname.
Q4.
The initial stage directions of 'An Inspector Calls' state that when the Inspector arrives the lighting should be:
red
Correct answer: harder
Correct answer: brighter
darker
lowered
Q5.
Is the answer true or false? In 'An Inspector Calls' the Inspector’s interrogation style reflects the maverick archetype.
Correct Answer: true, t, True
Q6.
Match the Inspector's key techniques from 'An Inspector Calls' to the effect on the characters or audience.
Correct Answer:repetition of "we",promotes collective responsibility

promotes collective responsibility

Correct Answer:graphic and emotive language,evokes guilt and sympathy

evokes guilt and sympathy

Correct Answer:interruptions,undermines the character's sense of authority

undermines the character's sense of authority

Correct Answer:questioning one person at a time,builds tension and suspense

builds tension and suspense

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
'In An Inspector Calls', the Inspector can be described as omniscient. Which answer best describes this?
He is all-powerful and controls everything.
Correct answer: He has complete knowledge of the events and characters.
He is constantly changing his opinions.
He is only aware of the events the characters reveal to him.
Q2.
Which word beginning with 'p' can be described as: foretelling the future with mystical insight, suggesting knowledge of events yet to come.
Correct Answer: prophetic, Prophetic
Q3.
Match the characters from 'An Inspector calls' with how they react to the Inspector.
Correct Answer:Mr Birling,attempts to assert authority, dismissing the Inspector's power

attempts to assert authority, dismissing the Inspector's power

Correct Answer:Sheila,feels guilt and realises the Inspector knows more than he should

feels guilt and realises the Inspector knows more than he should

Correct Answer:Eric,becomes anxious and starts to confess earlier than expected

becomes anxious and starts to confess earlier than expected

Correct Answer:Mrs Birling,denies any responsibility and tries to manipulate the Inspector

denies any responsibility and tries to manipulate the Inspector

Q4.
Is the answer true or false? In 'An Inspector Calls', it can be argued that Priestley uses the supernatural elements of the Inspector as an effective dramatic device.
Correct Answer: true, t, True
Q5.
In 'An Inspector Calls', how does Priestley use the Inspector to critique traditional ideas of crime and punishment?
By showing that legal systems are superior to moral judgment.
Correct answer: By emphasising the moral consequences of actions, not legal punishment.
By presenting the Inspector as a typical law enforcement official.
By suggesting crime is solely a legal issue.
Q6.
In 'An Inspector Calls' Act 3, Mr Birling refers to "another" Inspector arriving. What does this suggest in relation to the supernatural and justice?
That the Inspector has no real power.
That the characters have escaped punishment.
That the Inspector will return to complete his investigation.
Correct answer: That divine or moral justice is cyclical and unending.