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

It would be advisable if you bought your own copy of the play so that you can write notes in your book.

Key words:Responsibility, morality, community, consequences

STARTERUnscrabble the following words associated with Mr Birling

Spuompo tarngroa stnhereata

Dcoentcied gpnatirsion srsnee btssao

Tsiins sssebo trenisputr aushgl

STARTERthe 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

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?

CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY Imagine this……

Do you understand these key concepts?

Social Status

Social statusWe 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 BirlingMr 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?

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?

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?

‘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

Is Mr Birling responsible?

What is Priestley inferring about

responsibility and community?

‘Very awkward’ why?

What was Mr Birling’s connection with Eva Smith?an

inspector calls Birling - YouTube‘I was

justified!’

‘I went down myself and told them to clear

out.’

What does the audience think of him now? Why?

Was he?

Mr Birling

Personality Evidence

Build up a character profile of Mr Birling using the table below. Find quotes and examples to support your ideas.

How does Priestly present Mr Birling in Act 1?

Track Mr Birling’s intervention in Act 1

Opening speeches

Quotes/explore the significance of key words

How does he come across?

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?

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.

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.

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.