Year 10 - English
'An Inspector Calls': exploring the character of Eric
An Inspector Calls: power and responsibility
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils start their exploration of the characters, themes and ideas in 'An Inspector Calls'. They first look at the key context behind the play, before exploring each of the main characters and themes. They finally plan and write an essay about the role of responsibility in the play.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to understand and explain the significance of Eric while considering multiple interpretations.
Key Notes
- Eric is established as a moral voice at the start of the play, but lacks the ability to be assertive.
- Priestley uses emotive language to portray the impact the Inspector has on Eric.
- The Inspector appears to be more lenient with Eric and acts as a moral guide.
- It could be argued that Eric is an unreliable narrator when explaining his involvement with Eva.
- Tentative language can be used to explore and develop alternative interpretations.
Vocabulary To Learn
- assertive: confidently expressing your opinions or needs in a clear and respectful way
- lenient: being forgiving or more merciful, showing less strictness or severity in judgement or punishment
- unreliable: not able to be trusted or depended on, often due to inconsistency or inaccuracy
- narrative: a story or account of events, real or imagined, told in a specific order
- tentative: hesitant, or not fully decided, often used to suggest a possibility rather than a definite conclusion
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Eric's guilt makes him fully sympathetic.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Eric is established as a moral voice at the start of the play, but lacks the ability to be assertive. Priestley uses emotive language to portray the impact the Inspector has on Eric.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'assertive'
confidently expressing your opinions or needs in a clear and respectful way.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Eric's guilt makes him fully sympathetic. Correction: Eric's actions and narrative can still be challenged. For example, his attempts to downplay his responsibility may show his moral flaws.
More Lessons In This Unit
- 'An Inspector Calls' : annotating essay questions and writing a thesis statement Study Guide
- 'An Inspector Calls': exploring class and power in a model essay Study Guide
- 'An Inspector Calls': exploring class and power through Gerald and Eva Study Guide
- 'An Inspector Calls': exploring Priestley's use of structure Study Guide
- 'An Inspector Calls': exploring the character of Mr. Birling Study Guide
- 'An Inspector Calls': exploring the character of Mrs. Birling Study Guide
- 'An Inspector Calls': exploring the character of Sheila Study Guide
- 'An Inspector Calls': exploring the character of the Inspector Study Guide
- 'An Inspector Calls': the importance of setting and stage directions Study Guide
- 'An Inspector Calls': understanding and exploring key themes Study Guide
- 'An Inspector Calls': understanding context and Priestley's influences Study Guide
- Planning and writing an essay on 'An Inspector Calls' Study Guide
- Using context effectively in writing about 'An Inspector Calls' Study Guide
- Writing analytically about Priestley's presentation of the older generation Study Guide
- Writing introductions and conclusions for an 'An Inspector Calls' essay Study Guide
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