Narrative voice and subjective truth in 'An Inspector Calls'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Priestley uses narrative voice and a fragmented narrative to present subjective truth and bias.
Key learning points
- Priestley uses multiple narrators to show how truth is subjective and shaped by bias.
- The fragmented narrative encourages the audience to question the reliability of each account.
- Arguably, Priestley uses this technique to critique class inequality and the lack of moral introspection.
- The Inspector could be interpreted as an unreliable narrator in how he controls the narrative.
- The use of multiple character narration and a fragmented narrative can be linked to political theatre traditions.
Keywords
Bias - a personal preference or prejudice that skews judgment or interpretation of events
Fragmented - broken into separate parts
Subjective - based on personal opinions, feelings, or experiences rather than objective facts
Narrative - a story or account of events
Manipulate - to control or influence others, typically in a deceptive or unfair way, to achieve a specific outcome
Common misconception
The Inspector can only be interpreted as representing absolute truth, as he always speaks with authority and moral certainty.
The Inspector may not represent absolute truth. He selectively reveals information and uses moral rhetoric, which could suggest he's guiding the audience toward a particular interpretation of events.
Teacher tip
You may wish to consider and share some examples of unreliable narrators from other literary texts, perhaps texts that the pupils have already studied.
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
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Throughout 'An Inspector Calls', the Inspector uses emotive language to describe Eva Smith’s suicide. Which of the following words does he use?
Q2.In Act 1 of 'An Inspector Calls', Mr Birling uses an adverb to describe how the working class should be treated. What is that word?
Q3.What could be considered the primary role of narrative voice in a play or text?
Q4.Is this statement true or false? 'An Inspector Calls' is too dramatic to be considered political theatre.
Q5.What is an unreliable narrator?
Q6.Why might Eric be considered an unreliable narrator in 'An Inspector Calls'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Is this statement true or false? If truth is considered subjective, it is based on personal opinions, feelings, or experiences rather than objective facts.
Q2.Which of the following best describes subjective truth in ‘An Inspector Calls’?
Q3.An unreliable narrator can be described as...
Q4.Which of the following statements best explains why The Inspector can be interpreted as an unreliable narrator in 'An Inspector Calls'?
Q5.In 'An Inspector Calls' Act 2, The Inspector becomes stern with Mr Birling and tells him not to...
Q6.Which of the following best describes how Priestley uses narrative voice in 'An Inspector Calls'?
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Narrative voice and subjective truth in 'An Inspector Calls', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Narrative voice and subjective truth in 'An Inspector Calls', 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.