Who is the most interesting character? Which one would you feel most comfortable about discussing in an essay? Sample exam question: How does JB Priestley present the character of Sheila in An Inspector Calls?

Write for 15 minutes about one of the Birlings. Write about: What first impression does Priestley create? Write about Priestley’s use of stage directions and dialogue? 1 mark for: the use of adjectives to describe your character, the use of quotations, use of the writer’s name, use of connectives 2 marks for: complex vocabulary we used last lesson, an embedded quotation, a language feature, comment on Priestley’s purpose with this character 3 marks for: evaluative comment on how the audience respond to the character at this stage

Eric Birling is presented as immature and foolish by Priestley. In the introductory stage directions he is described as being ‘not quite at ease’. This implies that Eric lacks the social confidence of the older characters, but his ‘half shy, half assertive’ nature also suggests that he is uncertain of what type of man he wants to be. Furthermore, in the character’s dialogue he is also shown to be slightly immature. He responds to the scene of affection between Sheila and Gerald with the exclamatory ‘Steady the Buffs!’ Priestley’s use of this informal language further reveals the character’s immaturity and silliness to the audience. It also intrigues the audience to see how this immaturity could have contributed to the death of Eva Smith.

Writer’s name Adjectives to describe the character Analysis words Embedded quote Evaluative comment on audience response Connective

Dramatic devices What does Priestley use to build an atmosphere and foreshadow the events of the play? Props Lighting Ostentatious sets Dramatic irony

An Inspector Calls Scene one: interviewing Mr Birling

On the Line Place Mr Birling’s key qualities on the scale Ambitious, pompous, arrogant, competitive, sense of self importance, ill-informed Least endearing Most endearing

To the play Now read from page 6 to page 7: Mr Birling’s rather long speech. As you read, note down any observations about him in your Mr Birling section. After reading, sum him up in five words. [10]

Birling's errors Mining strikes across country Titanic sinks WWI begins Stocks and shares become more unstable Up rise in Socialism In his speech, Mr Birling is incredibly arrogant and naive in stating that none of these things will ever happen. Through dramatic irony (when the audience know something the characters don’t), we know these do in fact all happen in history. How then does Priestley make him sound? Add all points we discuss to your Birling ‘head’.

Let’s read some more... Now read from the rest of page 7 to the bottom of page 11. As we read, continue to write down your observations of Birling in his ‘head’ – particularly on his knighthood. Then pay specific attention to his comments on how every man should look after himself and how the inspector is described in the stage directions. [10]

The questioning Vs As we read from p12 – p17, when the Inspector questions Birling, you have a new placemat to complete in pairs. Label yourselves A and B. Person A must write down observations about how Goole questions Birling and how he commands the stage and person B must make notes on how Birling responds and how he comes across. Read until Birling states that he does not want Sheila to become a part of it. [10]

A further question Still in the same pairs, answer the following question on the last section of your placemat: What does this questioning and response expose about the characters and society at the time? Consider the areas of context we have explored today and any observations you have made of character and setting. [5]