Transcript Kelso High School

Kelso High School
English Department
‘An Inspector Calls’
Learning Intentions
 Plot / Key incidents
 Setting – Historical Context / Geographical Location
 Characterisation – The Birling Family / Arthur Birling / Sybil Birling / Eric Birling /
Sheila Birling / Gerald Croft / Edna / The Inspector / Eva Smith (Daisy Renton)
 Themes : Social Class / Social Responsibility / Law and Morality / Remorse
and Guilt
 Dramatic Techniques: Tension / Entrances / Exits /
 Structure: Opening / Climax / Ending
 Stagecraft: Stage Directions / Lighting / Sound Effects
 Language
 Irony
Background
 ‘An Inspector Calls’ is a play about a rich family
who are accused of being responsible for the
suicide of a young working-class girl.
 J.B. Priestley write the play in 1945, but it is set in
1912.
 In 1912, the rich middle class and upper class had
more power than the working class.
 Priestley wanted people in 1945 to think about how
unfair society was. Soldiers were returning from the
war and hoping for a better way life. Priestley
wanted his audience to realise that everyone must
work together to improve society.
Setting : Historical Context
 In 1912 the middle and upper classes were rich
and powerful because they had money and
good jobs.
 The working class had to work hard, often in
factories owned by the middle classes. They were
poorly paid.
 People were expected to look after themselves,
so there wasn’t much help for poor people who
were struggling.
Task: Read Act One
Homework
 Write a brief summary of the Act
Success Criteria
 Have you:
• Developed your understanding of what we will
study in relation to the text over the next few
weeks?
• Understood the Historical Context of the play –
why it was written in 1945 and why it was set in
1912?
• Read Act One and started thinking about
aspects of characterisation and theme?
Well done!!