Planning ‘An Inspector Calls’ examination questions

What does each one represent? Sheila Arthur Birling Sybil What does each one represent? Eric Gerald

TASK 2 AO2: Priestley’s use of methods in An Inspector Calls In addition to the dialogue, as a playwright Priestley employs many methods to introduce and emphasise his themes and messages. Complete the grid below – you can include some of the quotations from the previous activity

How does Priestley make social criticisms of the time in this play?

An Inspector Calls A selection of key quotations If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody we’d had anything to do with it would be very awkward wouldn’t it?   I consider this uncalled for and officious. I’ve half a mind to report you. But these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people. A nice little promising life there, I thought, and a nasty mess somebody’s made of it. Getting a bit heavy-handed aren’t you, Inspector? How could I know what would happen afterwards?

Why – you fool- he knows. Of course he knows.   If there’s nothing else, we’ll have to share our guilt. I became at once the most important part in her life. I’d like to be alone for a while. And now at least you’ve been honest. Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges. That was one of the things that prejudiced me against her case.

You have no hope of not discussing it Mrs Birling.   Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility. She was claiming elaborate fine feelings...simply absurd in a girl in her position. I was in a state when a chap easily turns nasty – and I threatened to make a row. You’re not the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble. Each of you helped to kill her. Remember that. Never forget it. You’re beginning all over again to pretend that nothing much has happened.

He was our police officer all right.   By Jingo! A fake! It’s what happened to the girl and what we all did to her that matters. We’ve no proof it was the same photograph. It frightens me the way you talk. Now look at the pair of them – the famous younger generation who know it all. And they can’t even take a joke.

2006 questions “Sheila is the most interesting character in the play, because the writer allows her to change and develop.” How far do you agree with this comment? OR 2. “Part ghost story, part murder mystery, part moral lecture.” To what extent do you agree with this description of An Inspector Calls?

2005 questions ‘An interesting portrayal of the period in which it is set, but of little relevance to a modern audience.’ By referring closely to the play, show whether you agree or disagree with this view. OR 2. ‘This play is built on deceit.’ How important is deceit, in its various forms, to the structure and dramatic impact of this play?

2004 questions How effectively do you consider the writer puts across the message during the course of this play? OR 2. ‘This play depends on a succession of surprises and revelations for almost all of its dramatic impact.’ To what extent do you agree with this view?

2003 questions At one point in the play Eric says to his mother ‘…you killed her………you turned her away….and……your own grandchild, you killed them both.’ Do you consider that Mrs Birling is portrayed in a worse, or better, light than her husband, Mr Birling, throughout the play? OR 2. What are the qualities which make the Inspector successful in forcing the other characters to reveal themselves?

2002 questions During the course of his investigation, it is not clear whether Inspector Goole is a real inspector. Write about the impact this has on the play as a whole. OR 2. At one point, Sheila says to Gerald ‘I don’t dislike you as I did half an hour ago, Gerald. In fact, in some odd way, I rather respect you more than I’ve ever done before.’ How does the writer develop the relationship between Sheila and Gerald in the course of the play?

Question stems: create your own  To what extent   Examine the theme of… How does the author of the play… Write about… Which character… Choose one theme which…    Choose two characters which… … is a key episode in the play. How does it reveal themes and characters here, and elsewhere in the play?