Kelso High School English Department

‘An Inspector Calls’

Learning Intentions Plot / Key incidents Setting – Historical Context / Geographical Location Characterisation – The Birling Family / Arthur Birling / Sybil Birling / Eric Birling / Sheila Birling / Gerald Croft / Edna / The Inspector / Eva Smith (Daisy Renton) Themes : Social Class / Social Responsibility / Law and Morality / Remorse and Guilt Dramatic Techniques: Tension / Entrances / Exits / Structure: Opening / Climax / Ending Stagecraft: Stage Directions / Lighting / Sound Effects Language Irony

Background ‘An Inspector Calls’ is a play about a rich family who are accused of being responsible for the suicide of a young working-class girl. J.B. Priestley write the play in 1945, but it is set in 1912. In 1912, the rich middle class and upper class had more power than the working class. Priestley wanted people in 1945 to think about how unfair society was. Soldiers were returning from the war and hoping for a better way life. Priestley wanted his audience to realise that everyone must work together to improve society.

Setting : Historical Context In 1912 the middle and upper classes were rich and powerful because they had money and good jobs. The working class had to work hard, often in factories owned by the middle classes. They were poorly paid. People were expected to look after themselves, so there wasn’t much help for poor people who were struggling.

Task: Read Act One

Homework Write a brief summary of the Act

Success Criteria Have you: Developed your understanding of what we will study in relation to the text over the next few weeks? Understood the Historical Context of the play – why it was written in 1945 and why it was set in 1912? Read Act One and started thinking about aspects of characterisation and theme?

Well done!!