Starter quiz
- In Act 1 of 'An Inspector Calls', Mr Birling uses a simile to describe the concept of community and social responsibility. What animal does he use as the comparison?
- sheep
- ants
- bees ✓
- flies
- locusts
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- Is the answer true or false? In 'An Inspector Calls' the stage directions describe Mr Birling as "pretentious".
- 'false' ✓
- In 'An Inspector Calls', Priestley uses emotive language to emphasise the emotional impact the Inspector has on Eric. Which words can be found in the stage directions to describe Eric?
- "confused"
- "distressed" ✓
- "pale" ✓
- "frightened" ✓
- "apathetic"
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- In 'An Inspector Calls', which words are used to describe Eric in the stage directions of Act 1?
- "pleased"
- "shy" ✓
- "excited"
- "assertive" ✓
- "agitated"
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- In 'An Inspector Calls', why might Gerald Croft be considered a character foil to Eva Smith?
- Gerald and Eva both come from similar social backgrounds.
- Gerald and Eva both challenge societal expectations.
- Gerald represents link between class and power; Eva represents the oppressed. ✓
- Gerald and Eva share similar personalities.
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- Is the answer true or false? In 'An Inspector Calls', Gerald acknowledges the power imbalance between himself and Eva.
- 'false' ✓
Exit quiz
- Which character in 'An Inspector Calls' could be described as one who both asserts authority and prioritises business over responsibility?
- Eric Birling
- Inspector Goole
- Arthur Birling ✓
- Gerald Croft
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- Which word is most associated with patriarchal societies?
- equality
- authority ✓
- collaboration
- empathy
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- In 'An Inspector Calls', Mr Birling dismisses social responsibility with which word beginning with 'n'?
- 'nonsense' ✓
- In 'An Inspector Calls', which answer best describes Priestley’s purpose in presenting Mr Birling as an unsympathetic character?
- To highlight the flaws in capitalist and patriarchal values. ✓
- To encourage the audience to admire his business success.
- To suggest that personal ambition leads to unhappiness.
- To show that older generations are always right.
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- In 'An Inspector Calls', how does Priestley use dramatic irony to critique traditional male authority?
- By making the Inspector dismiss traditional masculine traits as irrelevant.
- By ensuring that the audience never disagrees with Mr Birling.
- By showing that Gerald is the only character with moral authority.
- By making Mr Birling’s confident predictions about the future appear foolish. ✓
-
- In 'An Inspector Calls', Gerald and Eric could both be described as ______ narrators.
- 'unreliable' ✓
Worksheet
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Presentation
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Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Arguably, the male characters conform to Edwardian ideals of masculinity, emphasising strength, control, and dominance.
- Authority is asserted by male characters, often over women and lower-class individuals, reflecting societal norms.
- Gender roles in the play highlight power imbalances and reinforce Priestley’s critique of Edwardian societal norms.
- Arguably, male characters struggle with societal expectations, revealing internal conflicts and complex motivations.
Common misconception
The male characters fully embody societal expectations of masculinity.
Both Gerald and Eric's remorse reveal internal conflict, showing the struggles and complexities inherent in societal expectations.
Keywords
Masculinity - qualities or attributes regarded as characteristic of men or boys
Assert - behave or speak in a confident and forceful manner
Authority - power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behaviour
Conform - to behave according to a group's usual standards and expectations
Critique - to examine something carefully and evaluate its strengths and weaknesses; (often) to express disapproval
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