Exploring the presentation of crime 'An Inspector Calls'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how ‘An Inspector Calls’ explores ideas around crime, morality and class.
Key learning points
- Priestley explores both legal and moral crimes.
- Characters face moral reckoning, not legal consequences, highlighting self-awareness as punishment.
- Eric’s character could suggest that moral accountability is more important than legal punishment for Priestley.
- The play reveals how class affects perceptions of crime.
- Priestley critiques the legal system and advocates for social justice over legal frameworks.
Keywords
Ethical - relating to what is morally right or wrong
Moral - adhering to accepted principles of right and wrong, often based on values like fairness, kindness, and respect
Foregrounding - highlighting important aspects to draw attention to them
Lenient - tolerant or permissive; being less strict or severe in judging or enforcing rules
Accountabilty - taking responsibility for one's actions and accepting the consequences
Common misconception
The Birlings are not guilty of any crimes in 'An Inspector Calls' because they do not face legal consequences.
While the Birlings do not face legal prosecution, Priestley uses their moral failings to argue that crime is not only a legal matter.
Teacher tip
You could ask students to consider whether perceptions and defitnions of crime have changed over time. This will offer another layer of contextual understanding.
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 sexual violence
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.Starting with the first, put the plot points from 'An Inspector Calls' in chronological order. They are all focused on the character of Eric.
Q2.In 'An Inspector Calls' which word does the Inspector repeat to emphasise the vast scale of social inequality?
Q3.Which word beginning with 's' can be used to describe the political ideology of J.B. Priestley?
Q4.Which answer best presents ideas linked to the concept of legal justice in 'An Inspector Calls'?
Q5.Which word beginning with 'l' can be described as: 'being forgiving or more merciful, showing less strictness or severity in judgement or punishment.'?
Q6.In 'An Inspector Calls', how is capitalism portrayed?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Is this statement true or false? Eric is the only character that commits a legal crime.
Q2.In 'An Inspector Calls' which word does Gerald use to describe himself and the Birlings?
Q3.In 'An Inspector Calls', how does Priestley present the Inspector’s attitude towards Eric’s actions?
Q4.In 'An Inspector Calls' Act 3, the Inspector overrules Mr Birling. Which word is used to describe how the Inspector does this?
Q5.In 'An Inspector Calls', what does Priestley perhaps suggest about class and crime through Mr Birling’s attitude towards the Inspector?
Q6.In 'An Inspector Calls', how could Sheila’s transformation reflect Priestley’s views on crime and responsibility?
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Exploring the presentation of crime '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: Exploring the presentation of crime '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: perspectives on crime, justice and the role of the Inspector unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.