Starter quiz
- What is happening at the start of 'An Inspector Calls'?
- The Birlings are having a serious family argument.
- The Birlings are celebrating the engagement of Sheila and Gerald. ✓
- The Inspector arrives to investigate a crime.
- The Birlings are discussing their political views.
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- Where is Priestley's 'An Inspector Calls' set?
- London
- a small village
- the Birling family’s dining room ✓
- a police station
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- Which of the answers is false? In 'An Inspector Calls', Mr. Birling...
- believes in individual responsibility over collective responsibility
- supports workers’ rights and fair wages ✓
- is optimistic about the future
- dismisses the importance of social responsibility
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- In 'An Inspector Calls', which character refuses to help Eva Smith when she comes to the charity for support?
- 'Mrs. Birling' ✓
- Match the characters from 'An Inspector Calls' to the correct description of their role in Eva Smith's death.
- Mr. Birling⇔Fires Eva Smith for her role in a workers' dispute over pay. ✓
- Eric Birling⇔Stole money to to help Eva Smith after discovering her pregnancy. ✓
- Sheila Birling⇔Has Eva Smith fired over jealousy of a dress. ✓
- Gerald Croft⇔Had an affair with Eva Smith and supported her financially for a time. ✓
- What does the term 'setting' refer to in a play?
- The characters’ thoughts and feelings.
- The plot and events of the story.
- The costumes and props used by the actors.
- The physical environment where the action takes place. ✓
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Exit quiz
- 'An Inspector Calls' is set in...
- the Birlings' drawing room
- the Crofts' dining room
- the living room of a wealthy family
- the Birlings' dining room ✓
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- The stage directions in a play include...
- how to move ✓
- dialogue
- how to deliver lines ✓
- descriptions of characters ✓
- the cast members
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- In 'An Inspector Calls' which words does Priestley use to describe the lighting at the start of Act 1?
- "pink" ✓
- "stark"
- "yellow"
- "oppresive"
- "intimate" ✓
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- Match the characters from 'An Inspector Calls' to the correct words used to describe them in the stage directions.
- Mr. Birling⇔“portentous” “provincial” ✓
- Mrs. Birling⇔“cold” “superior” ✓
- Sheila⇔“pretty” “pleased” “excited” ✓
- Gerald⇔“attractive” “well-bred” “man-about-town” ✓
- Eric⇔“shy” “assertive” ✓
- Is the answer true or false? A naturalistic delivery refers to the portrayal of characters realistically, focusing on authentic dialogue, movements and emotions to reflect real life.
- 'true' ✓
- In 'An Inspector Calls', which word is used in the stage directions to describe how the Inspector "surveys" the family in his final speech?
- "sardonically" ✓
- "sarcastically"
- "sharply"
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Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Priestley uses the setting to establish the Birlings' wealth and upper-class lifestyle.
- The setting reveals the importance of status and appearance and how this is challenged by the Inspector.
- Priestley uses specific and detailed stage directions to develop characterisation.
- When reading a play, the stage directions can help develop our understanding of a character and their internal states.
- The play could be presented in naturalistic or theatrical way.
Common misconception
When analysing a play, you only focus on the characters' dialogue.
Stage directions can provide a lot of clues around the writer's intention and vision. They also offer an understanding of charcaterisation.
Keywords
Stage directions - instructions in a play that describe how to move, speak, or behave, and the setting, lighting, and sound to help convey the atmosphere and tone
Substantial - important, or of significant value
Characterisation - how a character's traits and personality are revealed through their actions, dialogue, and interactions
Naturalistic - portray characters realistically, focusing on natural dialogue, movements, and emotions to reflect real life
Theatrical - exaggerate gestures, expressions, and speech to create a more dramatic and impactful effect
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