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Year 11
Edexcel

Considering ‘An Inspector Calls’ as a political text

I can explain how ‘An Inspector Calls’ can be interpreted as a political text.

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New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

Considering ‘An Inspector Calls’ as a political text

I can explain how ‘An Inspector Calls’ can be interpreted as a political text.

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. ‘An Inspector Calls’ can be interpreted as a political manifesto, propaganda and a persuasive drama.
  2. The Inspector's language is both didactic, teaching morals, and persuasive, urging reflection on social responsibility.
  3. Arguably, Priestley's exaggerated portrayal of the Birlings reinforces his socialist message.
  4. 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.


To help you plan your year 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...

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.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of ‘An Inspector Calls’ by J.B. Priestley, Heinemann 2014 edition.

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.
Starting with the first, put these plot points from 'An Inspector Calls' into chronological order.
1 - The Birlings celebrate Sheila and Gerald’s engagement.
2 - Birling dismisses war and social responsibility in his speech.
3 - Inspector Goole arrives and announces a woman's suicide.
4 - Birling admits firing the woman for demanding higher wages.
5 - Sheila reveals she got the woman dismissed out of jealousy.
6 - Gerald confesses to a past affair with the woman.
7 - Eric admits to exploiting the woman and stealing to support her.
Q2.
In 'An Inspector Calls' which character refers to Eva Smith as a "sort" of girl.
Sheila Birling
Eric Birling
Correct answer: Sybil Birling
Gerald Croft
Inspector Goole
Q3.
J.B. Priestley’s political views are most aligned with which ideology?
capitalism
Correct answer: socialism
marxism
conservatism
Q4.
Which of the following is an example of prejudice in 'An Inspector Calls'?
Sheila's remorse after discovering her role in Eva's death.
Correct answer: Mrs Birling's refusal to help Eva Smith because of her social status.
Eric’s anger at his family’s treatment of Eva Smith.
The Inspector’s criticism of the Birlings' lack of social responsibility.
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?
Correct answer: "sardonically"
"sarcastically"
"sharply"
Q6.
Which character in 'An Inspector Calls' is described as "portentous" and "provincial" in the opening stage directions?
Correct Answer: Mr Birling, Mr. Birling, Arthur, Arthur Birling

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the word to its correct definition.
Correct Answer:political manifesto,a public declaration of policies or beliefs, typically political

a public declaration of policies or beliefs, typically political

Correct Answer:propaganda,information, often biased, used to promote or influence public opinion

information, often biased, used to promote or influence public opinion

Correct Answer:persuasive drama,a play that presents a strong argument but encourages engagement

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
Correct Answer: didactic, Didactic
Q3.
In his final speech in 'An Inspector Calls', The Inspector uses both "we" and "you". These are examples of:
Correct answer: singular and plural personal pronouns
modal verbs
collective pronouns
prepositions
collective nouns
Q4.
In what way could 'An Inspector Calls' be described as a political text?
It teaches a historical narrative about capitalism.
Correct answer: It promotes socialist views through its characters and themes.
It encourages a purely capitalist agenda.
It supports individualism over societal change.
Q5.
What political event in 1945 is significant to the context of 'An Inspector Calls'?
The defeat of socialism in the United Kingdom.
The rise of fascism across Europe.
Correct answer: The Labour Party won a landslide victory in the general election.
The beginning of the Cold War.
Q6.
Which of the following offers the most effective criticism of the Birlings' portrayal in 'An Inspector Calls'?
They are presented with such complexity they are difficult to understand.
Correct answer: Reducing the Birlings to simplistic villains may limit the play’s power
They offer a balanced view of capitalist and socialist values.
Their likeability diminishes Priestley's message.