GCSE English Literature Unit 1 Modern Texts An Inspector Calls by J B Priestley LO: to explore the techniques Priestley uses to present charactersAn Inspector Calls CLASS - YouTube Key words: Responsibility, morality, community, consequences It would be advisable if you bought your own copy of the play so that you can write notes in your book.

STARTER Unscrabble the following words associated with Mr Birling Spuompo tarngroa stnhereata Dcoentcied gpnatirsion srsnee btssao Tsiins sssebo trenisputr aushgl

STARTER the following words are associated with Mr Birling Pompous arrogant threatens conceited patronising sneers boasts Insists bosses interrupts laughs

Do we have a responsibility to others? Brainstorm, to whom do you have responsibility Why? Responsibility

CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY Imagine this…… A shopkeeper gives you too much change, do you return it or keep it? Mrs Kingcome drops a £20 note in the corridor, do you give it back to her? An old lady is being mugged, do you jump in and help? You chuck your empty crisp packets on the floor and spit your gum on the pavement. You play your music loudly on the bus. A relative has committed a crime, do you inform the police or protect them?

Do you understand these key concepts? Social Status

Social status We are told in the opening stage directions that Mr Birling is ‘rather provincial in his speech’ and that Mrs Birling is ‘her husband’s social superior’. Gerald’s parents are Sir George and Lady Croft and therefore from a higher position in society than the Birlings. Croft’s business is an older and bigger company so they are also more wealthy than the Birlings. When the men are alone together, Mr Birling states that he believes Lady Croft feels Gerald might have ‘done better for himself socially’ by marrying someone other than Sheila. He tells Gerald he expects to be getting a knighthood which would improve his social standing.

Mr Birling Mr Birling is the first to be questioned by Inspector Goole. How does he react to the inspector’s questions? What do we learn about his involvement in Eva Smith’s death? Why do you think the inspector only shows the photograph to Mr Birling? Worksheet Eight accompanies this slide.

Do you agree with Mr Birling? Mr Birling refuses to accept any responsibility for Eva’s death. 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? Do you agree with Mr Birling? Worksheet Nine accompanies this slide. This could be extended into a speaking and listening activity with students arguing for or against Mr Birling’s actions. This could be conducted as a formal debate, or an exercise in pairs where each student takes on the role of Eric or Mr Birling and explains their point of view in their own words. Do you think Mr Birling was justified in firing Eva Smith? Eric states that he would ‘have let her stay’. What would you have done?

Is Mr Birling responsible? ‘Still, I can’t accept any responsibility. If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody we’d had anything to do with, it would be very awkward indeed, wouldn’t it?’ p14 What is Priestley inferring about responsibility and community? ‘Very awkward’ why?

‘I went down myself and told them to clear out.’ What was Mr Birling’s connection with Eva Smith?an inspector calls Birling - YouTube ‘I was justified!’ Was he? ‘I went down myself and told them to clear out.’ What does the audience think of him now? Why?

Mr Birling Personality Evidence Build up a character profile of Mr Birling using the table below. Find quotes and examples to support your ideas. Personality Evidence Worksheet Ten accompanies this slide.

How does Priestly present Mr Birling in Act 1? Track Mr Birling’s intervention in Act 1 Opening speeches How does he come across? Quotes/explore the significance of key words What is Priestley inferring/suggesting - themes?

How does Priestly present Mr Birling in Act 1? Say it: Priestley introduces Mr Birling to the audience………. Prove it: “ “ Explain it: This suggests/highlights/indicates that………………………………….. [link clearly to themes + context]

What must I do to achieve my target? You must support your views with close reference to context and Priestley’s ideas: How has Priestley presented Mr Birling in Act 1? A grade- I can explore in detail how Priestley presents Mr Birling, exploring key quotes and the impact Priestley wants him to have on the audience. B grade – I can explain how Priestley presents Mr Birling, explaining key quotes and the impact Priestley wants him to have on the audience C Grade: I can comment on the Mr Birling’s character and what the audience think of him. I can find some quotes to support my views.

Band 5 ‘Sophisticated, Impressive’ 30-25 sophisticated interpretation of texts sophisticated engagement with writers’ ideas and attitudes; sophisticated interpretations using imaginatively selected supporting textual detail sophisticated analysis of aspects of language and structure. Band 4 ‘Confident, Assured’ 24-19 confident and developed interpretations of texts * engagement with writers’ ideas and attitudes and provide perceptive interpretations using precisely selected supporting textual detail analysis of aspects of language and structure in convincing detail. Band 3 ‘Clear, Consistent’ 18-13 * clear evidence of understanding significant meanings of the text ability to explain writers’ ideas clearly offering relevant and appropriate supporting textual detail ability to display understanding of features of language and structure supported by relevant and appropriate quotation. Band 2 ‘Some’ 12 -7 some awareness of more obvious meanings in the text some awareness of writers’ ideas supported by relevant textual detail some awareness of obvious features of language and structure supported by some relevant textual detail. Band 1 ‘Limited’ 6-1 limited understanding of the texts limited engagement with the writers’ ideas reference to a limited range of textual detail.