An Inspector Calls

    EDEXCEL
    GCSE

    'An Inspector Calls' is a morality play set in 1912 that critiques the Edwardian upper-middle class through the mysterious Inspector Goole's interrogation of the Birling family. Its practical application lies in exploring social responsibility, class prejudice, and the interconnectedness of human actions, using dramatic devices to challenge the audience's conscience and prompt reflection on collective versus individual guilt.

    4
    Objectives
    3
    Exam Tips
    4
    Pitfalls
    5
    Key Terms
    4
    Mark Points

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Analyse Priestley's use of dramatic irony and its effect on the audience's perception of the Birling family.
    • Evaluate how Priestley uses the Inspector as a mouthpiece to convey socialist views on social responsibility.
    • Explore the significance of the play’s chronological structure and the cyclical nature of the narrative.
    • Examine the presentation of the younger generation (Sheila and Eric) as symbols of hope for societal change.

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Award credit for responding to key words in the question and maintaining focus on the task.
    • Reward engagement with the writer’s methods, such as structure, stagecraft, and speech patterns.
    • Credit understanding of the relationship between the text and its historical contexts (1912 vs. 1945).
    • Look for judicious use of well-selected textual references to support interpretations.

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡Always read the extract closely for Priestley’s language choices, but also draw on your knowledge of the whole play to develop your argument.
    • 💡Structure your response to show progression: from a clear thesis, through developed analysis, to a conclusion that considers the play as a didactic whole.
    • 💡Use the bullet points in the question to help plan your response, ensuring you address both the extract and the wider text.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Treating characters as real people rather than constructs used to convey a message, leading to superficial character analysis.
    • Confusing the Inspector's message as solely about the prevention of suicide rather than the wider call for social change.
    • Neglecting the importance of the opening stage directions and the setting as a vehicle for establishing the Birlings’ complacency.
    • Failing to link individual quotes or events back to larger themes like class or responsibility.

    Study Guide Available

    Comprehensive revision notes & examples

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    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • Social responsibility and collective guilt
    • Class and social inequality
    • Age and generational divide
    • Gender roles and exploitation
    • Time and the supernatural

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