'An Inspector Calls': understanding context and Priestley’s influences | English

Starter quiz

In which year is 'An Inspector Calls' set?

1712

1812

1912 ✓

2012
In which year did J.B. Priestley write 'An Inspector Calls' ?

'1945' ✓
Starting with the first, put these plot points from 'An Inspector Calls' into chronological order.

1

⇔

The Birlings celebrate Sheila and Gerald’s engagement.

2

⇔

Birling dismisses war and social responsibility in his speech.

3

⇔

Inspector Goole arrives and announces a woman's suicide.

4

⇔

Birling admits firing the woman for demanding higher wages.

5

⇔

Sheila reveals she got the woman dismissed out of jealousy.

6

⇔

Gerald confesses to a past affair with the woman.

7

⇔

Eric admits to exploiting the woman and stealing to support her.
What is the name of the woman who is at the centre of the Inspector's investigation in 'An Inspector Calls'?

'Eva' ✓
In 'An Inspector Calls' which character first learns about the death from Inspector Goole?

Sheila Birling

Eric Birling

Gerald Croft

Sybil Birling

Arthur Birling ✓
In 'An Inspector Calls' who is described as both "shy" and "assertive"?

Gerald Croft

Eric Birling ✓

Eva Smith

Shelia Birling

Sybil Birling

Exit quiz

The writer of 'An Inspector Calls', J.B. Priestley, was born in...

London

Bradford ✓

Leeds

Birmingham

Plymouth
Context can include...

historical time period ✓

biographical information ✓

social and cultural influences ✓

plot summary

character names
Which of the following sentences does not use tentative language?

Perhaps he hoped his audience might recognise the need for change.

This may reflect Priestley’s hope for a more just society.

Priestley served as a soldier in World War I. ✓

Arguably, Priestley’s industrial upbringing exposed him to class inequalities.
'An Inspector Calls' is set in 1912 which is considered the ______ period.

'Edwardian' ✓
Which word can be described as: 'to give an opinion or judgement?

critique ✓

assertion

intention
In 'An Inspector Calls' which character refers to Eva Smith as a "sort" of girl.

Sheila Birling

Eric Birling

Sybil Birling ✓

Gerald Croft

Inspector Goole

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

Contextual information can help to deepen an understanding of a writer’s intentions.
It is a good idea to be tentative with assertions.
Biographical information can give us clues about a writer’s influences.
Although writing in 1945, Priestley was influenced by the attitudes and values of Edwardian society.
Priestley uses the backdrop of 1912 to warn of the dangers of repeating history.

Common misconception

Any comments about a writer's intentions or choices must be absolute.

Although we may never know for certain, we can use clues like contextual information to develop ideas around intentions and choices. We can also use tentative language to put forward our ideas.

Keywords

Intention - the purpose or aim behind someone’s actions or words; what they plan or hope to achieve
Critique - to give an opinion or judgement
Tentative - not certain or fixed
Assertion - a confident statement or claim about something