To begin the lesson… Who, overall, has truly understood the Inspector’s message and purpose? Why do you think this?

‘You’ll be able to divide the responsibility between you when I’ve gone.’ Following the Inspector’s exit, one of the play’s central themes comes to the fore – the idea of responsibility. However, while some characters are ready to consider their involvement and accept responsibility for their part in Eva Smith’s death, other characters appear to have other concerns.

As we read the ending consider… Response to the ending? Why does Priestley end the play like this? Is it a satisfying ending? What questions does it provoke in the audience’s mind? Have the characters learnt anything? Will they behave differently when the real Inspector arrives?

The Inspector What do the other characters say about the Inspector in this final part of the play? What is their opinion of him? Speculate on who / what the Inspector is. How is he like a real Inspector? How is he different to a real Inspector?

Describe the Inspector Generate a list of adjectives that you could use to describe the Inspector – these will come in useful if you are given a question about him in your exam…

Character work: Generations… Where does Gerald fit into the young/old generation split? Use your different generations worksheets, and your wider knowledge of the text, to identify moments where Gerald allies himself with the old Birlings and moments where he allies himself with the young Birlings.

Given Priestley’s intentions, what purpose does Gerald serve in the play? How does he react to news of the suicide of Eva Smith? What about Daisy Renton? What does this tell us about him? Does he show remorse? Does he learn anything? Consider Gerald’s class and status, age and role as a businessman in your answer. What about Gerald’s personality? Does he show any signs of humanity and kindness? Is Gerald’s role one that leads the audience to react optimistically or pessimistically? What messages do we take from Priestley’s characterisation of Gerald?

To end the lesson… Who is to blame for the death of the girl in An Inspector Calls?