Year 10 - English
'An Inspector Calls': understanding and exploring key themes
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 identify and understand key themes in 'An Inspector Calls'.
Key Notes
- A theme is the main idea or message in a text.
- Priestley explores the themes of social responsibility, age, class and power.
- Some themes can be considered timeless and universal.
- Arguably, themes in 'An Inspector Calls' are still relevant today which is why it's considered an important text.
Vocabulary To Learn
- discrimination: treating someone unfairly or differently because of characteristics like gender, age, class and ethnicity
- exploit: to take advantage of someone or something unfairly, often for personal gain
- prejudice: to have an unfair opinion or feeling about someone based on characteristics like gender, age, class and ethnicity
- universal: something that applies to everyone or is true in all situations or places
- timeless: something that is always relevant or important, no matter the time period
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Social responsibility means just helping those in need.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
A theme is the main idea or message in a text. Priestley explores the themes of social responsibility, age, class and power.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'discrimination'
treating someone unfairly or differently because of characteristics like gender, age, class and ethnicity.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Social responsibility means just helping those in need. Correction: Social responsibility is about considering the impact of our actions on others and society, not just charity. It involves accountability for our role in social issues, like inequality.
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 Eric 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 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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