1. Exam work: Characters, Themes and Techniques
An Inspector Calls
Exam work: Characters, Themes and Techniques

2. CHARACTERS TECHNIQUES THEMES EVENTS
Mr B, Mrs B, Sheila, Eric, Gerald, the Inspector
TECHNIQUES
Setting, Lighting, Dramatic Irony, Stage directions, Metaphor
THEMES
(Social) Responsibility, Class, Age, Gender, Relationships, Time, Truth, Deception, Morality, Contrasts
EVENTS

3. Mr B, Mrs B, Sheila, Eric, Gerald, the Inspector
CHARACTERS
Mr B, Mrs B, Sheila, Eric, Gerald, the Inspector
TECHNIQUES
Setting, Lighting, Dramatic Devices, Dramatic Irony, Stage directions, Metaphor
THEMES
(Social) Responsibility, Class, Age, Gender, Relationships, Time, Truth, Deception, Morality, Contrasts
EVENTS

4. Question
How does Priestley present Gerald in the play? How does Gerald help to reflect some of Priestley’s ideas?
You’ll always get a focus…
AO1 (50%)
respond to texts critically and imaginatively; select and evaluate relevant textual detail to
illustrate and support interpretations
…but this is unbelievably important!
AO2 (50%)
explain how language, structure and form contribute to writers’ presentation of ideas,
themes and settings

5. How does Priestley present Gerald in the play
How does Priestley present Gerald in the play? How does Gerald help to reflect some of Priestley’s ideas?
Like all the characters, Gerald is not the same throughout. He undergoes change. Stage One: Find the main PARTS of the play that you would look at to write about Gerald. 10 mins

6. How does Priestley present Gerald in the play
How does Priestley present Gerald in the play? How does Gerald help to reflect some of Priestley’s ideas?
Like all the characters, Gerald is used to bring out THEMES and the writer’s messages. Stage Two: Find the main THEMES that you think Gerald helps to bring out. Justify by explaining how. 10 mins

7. How does Priestley present Gerald in the play
How does Priestley present Gerald in the play? How does Gerald help to reflect some of Priestley’s ideas?
Like all the characters, Gerald is used to bring out THEMES and the writer’s messages. Stage Three: Find the main examples of Priestley’s messages or concerns that Gerald helps to bring out 10 mins

8. How does Priestley present Gerald in the play
How does Priestley present Gerald in the play? How does Gerald help to reflect some of Priestley’s ideas?
Stage FOUR: Find the main techniques Priestley uses when presenting Gerald 10 mins

9. How does Priestley present Gerald in the play
How does Priestley present Gerald in the play? How does Gerald help to reflect some of Priestley’s ideas?
Stage FIVE: Find the main quotations and details and plan how you will ANALYSE them 10 mins

10. AO1 respond to texts critically and imaginatively;
Find the main PARTS of the play that you would look at to write about Gerald.
Find the main THEMES that you think Gerald helps to bring out. Justify by explaining how.
How does Priestley present Gerald in the play?
How does Gerald help to reflect some of Priestley’s ideas?
What techniques does Priestley employ in his presentation of Gerald?
Find the main examples of Priestley’s messages or concerns that Gerald helps to bring out.
AO1 respond to texts critically and imaginatively;

11. AO2: explain how language, structure and form contribute to writers’ presentation of ideas,
themes and settings
Key Quotations
What I’ll comment on (Language, Structure, Form)

12. CHARACTERS TECHNIQUES THEMES EVENTS
Mr B, Mrs B, Sheila, Eric, Gerald, the Inspector
TECHNIQUES
Setting, Lighting, Dramatic Irony, Stage directions, Metaphor
THEMES
(Social) Responsibility, Class, Age, Gender, Relationships, Time, Truth, Deception, Morality, Contrasts
EVENTS

13. Mr B, Mrs B, Sheila, Eric, Gerald, the Inspector
CHARACTERS
Mr B, Mrs B, Sheila, Eric, Gerald, the Inspector
TECHNIQUES
Setting, Lighting, Dramatic Devices, Dramatic Irony, Stage directions, Metaphor
THEMES
(Social) Responsibility, Class, Age, Gender, Relationships, Time, Truth, Deception, Morality, Contrasts
EVENTS

14. This will reveal your THEME for today
Open your envelope
This will reveal your THEME for today
Question: How does Priestley present (THEME). How are his views and concerns communicated through his exploration of (THEME)
Eg How does Priestley present SOCIAL CLASS and how are his views and concerns communicated through his exploration of SOCIAL CLASS?

15. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILTY
CLASS
AGE
GENDER
RELATIONSHIPS
TIME
TRUTH AND DECEPTION
MORALITY

16. What is Priestley’s overall message or idea about your theme?

17. Choose
Carefully, and with thought, choose 2-4 characters that you think Priestley uses to explore your theme. State in a speech bubble how they do this.

19. I am important to this theme because/by…

20. I am important to this theme because/by…

21. Birling’s Capitalist and naive views about war.
“The Germans don’t want war. … Everything to lose and nothing to gain by war.”
Birling’s Capitalist and naive views about war.
Act 1

22. Birling’s Capitalist view.
“a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own”
Birling’s Capitalist view.
Act 1

23. “But these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people.”
Sheila’s response to her father sacking Eva Smith.
Act 1

24. “She’d had a lot to say – far too much – so she had to go.”
Birling’s feelings about Eva and the strike.
Act 1

25. “This young woman, Eva Smith, was a bit out of the ordinary.”
Inspector Goole about Eva Smith
Act 1

26. “so long as we behave ourselves, don’t get into the police court or start a scandal - eh”
Birling in reference to his supposed ‘knighthood’ – ironic statement – audience appreciation
Act 1

27. “It’s my duty to ask questions”
Inspector Goole in response to Birling’s arrogant stance when questioned about his reasons for not giving a pay-rise to his employees.
Act 1

28. “I don’t come into this suicide business.”
Gerald when confessing to his affair with Daisy Renton.
Act 1

29. “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?”
Birling refusing to take any responsibility for the consequences of sacking Eva Smith.
Act 1

30. “You mustn’t try to build up a kind of wall between us and that girl.”
Sheila to her mother’s defensive and non-compliant attitude towards the Inspector about Eva Smith.
Act 2

31. “Nothing but morbid curiosity.”
Mrs Birling accuses Sheila of staying around simply to satisfy her curiosity.
Act 2

32. “Yes, I think it was simply a piece of gross impertinence.”
Mrs Birling when talking about the fact that Eva/Daisy called herself Mrs Birling.
Act 2

33. “You see, we have to share something
“You see, we have to share something. If there’s nothing else, we’ll have to share out guilt.”
Inspector Goole to Sheila and Gerald, as Gerald refuses responsibility and Sheila takes it all.
Act 2

34. Inspector Goole (sharply) to Birling.
“Why should you do any protesting? It was you who turned the girl out in the first place.”
Inspector Goole (sharply) to Birling.
Act 2

35. “I rather respect you more than I’ve ever done before.”
Sheila to Gerald once he has been honest about his affair and she hands the engagement ring back.
Act 2

36. “But you weren’t asked to come here to talk to me about my responsibilities.”
Birling to Inspector Goole when Goole comments about responsibilities and privileges.
Act 2

37. Mrs Birling when asked by Inspector Goole who is to blame.
“First, the girl herself. … Secondly, I blame the young man who was the father of the child… He should be made an example of.”
Mrs Birling when asked by Inspector Goole who is to blame.
Act 2

38. “I wasn’t in love with her or anything – but I liked her – she was pretty and a good sport.”
Eric about Eva/Daisy
Act 3

39. “We are member of one body. We are responsible for each other.”
Inspector Goole’s parting words to the family.
Act 3

40. “The point is, you don’t seem to have learnt anything.”
Sheila to her father about his lack of responsibility.
Act 3

41. “Probably a Socialist or some sort of crank”
Birling about Inspector Goole
Act 3

42. “Between us we drove that girl to commit suicide.”
Sheila about how they all played a part in Eva Smith’s suicide.
Act 3

43. “The famous younger generation who know it all.”
Birling about Sheila and Eric’s reaction to their parents.
Act 3

44. [As they stare guiltily and dumbfounded, the curtain falls.]
The final line.
Act 3

45. AO1 respond to texts critically and imaginatively;
Find the main PARTS of the play that you would look at to write about (THEME).
Find the main CHARACTERS that you think help to bring out (THEME) Justify by explaining how.
Question: How does Priestley present (THEME). How are his views and concerns communicated through his exploration of (THEME)
What techniques does Priestley employ in his presentation of (THEME)?
Find the main examples of Priestley’s messages or concerns that (THEME) helps to bring out.
AO1 respond to texts critically and imaginatively;