Example lesson 6: The message of An Inspector Calls for today Rosie Lunt, City of London Academy Islington

Compare these two images Left photograph by Robin Sones, right photograph by Paul Farmer, both CC BY-SA 2.0 licensed

“You see, we have to share something “You see, we have to share something. If there’s nothing else, we’ll have to share our guilt.” What do you think this means? How do you respond to this? How might this be relevant to our society today? Photograph by Natalie Oxford, CC BY 4.0 licensed

What is the inspector’s image? Who do you think he is talking to? “But just remember this. One Eva Smith has gone – but there are millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us, with their lives, their hopes and fears, their suffering and chance of happiness, all intertwined with our lives, with what we think and say and do. We don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other. And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish. Good night.” What is the inspector’s image? Who do you think he is talking to? Which parts of the speech do you find particularly persuasive or convincing? Explain why.

The Inspector returns! You are the Inspector. You have been transported into London in 2017. Write a speech in response to the Grenfell Tower disaster (or another event that has happened recently). Try to use persuasion to communicate a moral message.

Do we need the Inspector today? Do you think that we need moral “inspection” in our society today? If so, why? Do we “share” guilt? Do “millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths” still experience injustice? Top photograph by Robin Sones, bottom photograph by Paul Farmer, both CC BY-SA 2.0 licensed