An Inspector

Calls
Revision
Booklet
In this exam you will have one hour to answer two questions
about An Inspector Calls.
What will the questions be like?
You will have to answer an extract question worth ten marks.
You should spend 20 minutes on this question.

You will have a choice of two whole text questions. You answer
one of these questions whichever one you think you can answer
best. It is worth twenty marks. You should spend forty minutes
on this question.
What shall I do?

Read the instructions carefully

Divide your time carefully and write something for both tasks
Read the questions carefully
Dont spend ages choosing which whole text question to
answer!
Once you have chosen which whole text question to answer,
stick with your choice!
Make sure you are answering the question you have been
asked
When you have finished your writing read through your work
and check for errors
How will I be marked?
The examiner is looking for you to:
Incorporate detail in your answers
Evaluate characters and their relationships, attitudes and
motives
Show understanding of themes and ideas in the play
Show understanding of how language and staging are used
for effect
Show understanding of how the play is structured for effect
Show understanding of the social and historical
context of the play
Explain Priestleys intent when writing his play
Evaluate how the play would affect an audience
The

examiner is also looking at the accuracy of your writing:

Expression will be clear and fluent
The answer will be well structured
Paragraphs will be used
Spelling and punctuation will be accurate
Specialist vocabulary will be used accurately

Context

Fill the post-it notes with what you know about life in 1912 (when
the play is set) and life in 1945 (when the play was written).

How do I include context?

Without context (grades D-G)

Mr Birling fires Eva Smith.

With context (grades A*-C)

Mr Birling fires Eva Smith as he
is a capitalist and mainly
concerned with making money
and less about caring for
others. This would have been a
traditional view and would have
represented the views of many
businesses at the time.
Mr Birling is only concerned
The play was set at a time when
with himself and does not
the welfare state did not yet
believe in community.
exist and written when it was
just being introduced and so Mr
Birlings comments about social
responsibility would have been
seen as very traditional.
Mr Birling wants his daughter to Movement between the classes
marry Gerald Croft.
at the time the play was set
was both difficult and desirable,
hence why Mr Birling wants his
daughter to marry Gerald Croft
who comes from the Upper
Class.
Mr Birling and his son do not
Eric has more modern, liberal
get on. Eric sees things from
views, enabling him to see
the factory workers perspective things from the factory workers
but Mr Birling doesnt.
perspective. However, Mr
Birling feels threatened by
reform and represents the
traditional political views of the
time.
The Inspector tries to get Mr
Priestley was a socialist. He
Birling to see how important
uses the contrast between the
collective social responsibility is Inspectors socialist message
but Mr Birling will not take
and Mr Birlings traditional ideas
responsibility for the
to highlight to the audience the
consequences of his actions.
dangers of a lack of collective
social responsibility.
Mr Birlings speech about war
Priestley uses dramatic irony to
and The Titanic is dramatically
highlight the folly of Mr Birlings
ironic as the audience knows
comments about society, war
that was happened and The
and The Titanic. A post-1945
Titanic sank.
audience can clearly see how
short sighted Mr Birling is and

his ideas about responsibility

look foolish.

Plot

Reduce your learning about each act from An Inspector Calls into
a Tweet. Consider how an audience member might feel at the end
of each act when you are Tweeting. Remember, only 140
characters per act!

Act One:

Act Two:

Act Three:

Characters
You are marked on the detail you can use about each character.
Write a character profile for each character in the play their
name, rough age, appearance, job, connection with Eva Smith,
how they link to the context, what Priestley was using them to
show, audience feelings towards them, etc.

Key Character Quotations

What does each quotation show us about the character? How
does Priestley use language? Use these quotations to revise for
your response to the whole text question.
N.B. Make comments on the context of the quotationwhat is happening at the point of the quotation/ what is it
in response to?
Mr Birling
1. Youll hear some people say that wars inevitable. And to
that I say fiddlesticks!
2. unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable!

3. a man has to mind his own business and look after himself
and his own
4. Yes, yes. Horrid business. But I dont understand why you
should come here Inspector
5. They wanted the rates raised so they could average about
twenty-five shillings a week. I refused, of course.
6. Still, I cant accept any responsibility.
7. (unhappily) Look, Inspector - Id give thousands yes,
thousands
8. Therell be a public scandaland who here will suffer from
that more than I will?
9. Theres every excuse for what your mother and I did.
10.
(Imitating the Inspector in his final speech) You all
helped to kill her. (pointing at SHEILA and ERIC and
laughing)
Mrs Birling
1. When youre married youll realize that men with
important work to do sometimes have to spend nearly all
their time and energy on their business. Youll have to get
used to that, just as I had.

2. Girls of that class

3. Women of the town?

4. What business is it of yours?

5. Im very sorry. But I think she only had herself to blame.

6. I did nothing Im ashamed of or that wont bear

investigation.

7. Certainly. And he ought to be dealt with very severely.

8. But surelyI meanIts ridiculous

9. (Very distressed now) No Eric please I didnt know I

didnt understand

10. And I must say Gerald, youve argued this very

cleverly, and Im most grateful.
Sheila Birling
1. (taking out the ring) Oh its wonderful! Look Mummy
isnt it a beauty? Oh darling (she kisses Gerald hastily)
2. (rather distressed) Sorry! Its just that I cant help thinking
about this girl destroying herself so horribly and Ive been
so happy tonight. Oh I wish you hadnt told me.

3. She looks at it closely, recognises it with a little cry, gives a

half-stifled sob, and then runs out.

4. I felt rotten about it at the time and now I feel a lot worse.

5. Ill never, never do it again to anybody.

6. Well, we didnt think you meant Buckingham Palace.

7. Mother, I think it was cruel and vile.

8. (with sudden alarm) Mother stop stop!

9. The point is, you dont seem to have learnt anything.

10.
Everything we said had happened really had
happened. If it didnt end tragically, then thats lucky for us.
But it might have done.
Eric Birling
1. Eric suddenly guffaws. His parents look at him.
I dont know really. Suddenly I felt I just had to laugh.
2. (involuntarily) My God!
3. Why shouldnt they try for higher wages? We try for the
highest possible prices.

4. Ive had a few drinks, including rather a lot of champagne

and Ive got a headache and as Im only in the way here I
think Id better turn in.
5. Eric enters, looking extremely pale and distressed.
6. In the Palace Bar. Id been there an hour or so with two or
three chaps. I was a bit squiffy.
7. (nearly at breaking point) Then you killed her. She came to
you to protect me and you turned her away yes, and you
killed her and the child shed have had too my child
your own grandchild you killed them both damn you,
damn you

8. (unhappily) My God Im not likely to forget.

9. For Gods sake! What does it matter now whether they give
you a knighthood or not?

10.
Whoever that chap was, the fact remains
that I did what I did. And mother did what she did. And the
rest of you did what you did to her. Its still the same rotten
story whether its been told to a police inspector or to
somebody else.
Gerald Croft
1. I hope I can make you as happy as you deserve to be.

2. You seem to be a nice well-behaved family

3. Unless Erics been up to something (nodding confidentially

to Birling). And that would be awkward, wouldnt it.

4. Not if it was after the holidays. Theyd all be broke - if I know

them.

5. (startled) What?

6. All right. I knew her. Lets leave it at that.

7. (distressed) Sorry I well, Ive suddenly realised taken it

in properly that shes dead

8. She was young and pretty and warm-hearted and

intensely grateful. I became at once the most important
person in her life

9. he bluffs us into confessing that weve all been mixed up in

this girls life in one way or another.

10.
Everythings all right now, Sheila (holds up
the ring). What about this ring?
Inspector Goole
1. Id like some information if you dont mind, Mr Birling. Two
hours ago a young woman died in the Infirmary. Shed been
taken there this afternoon because shed swallowed a lot of
strong disinfectant. Burnt her inside out, of course.

2. after two months, with no work, no money coming in, and

living in lodgings, with no relatives to help her, few friends,
lonely, half-starved, she was feeling desperate.
3. (harshly) Yes, but you cant. Its too late. Shes dead.
4. (coolly) We often do on the young ones. Theyre more
impressionable.
5. Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as
privileges.
6. You have no hope of not discussing it Mrs Birling.
7. (very sternly) Her position now is that she lies with a burnt
out inside on a slab. (As Birling tires to protest, turns on him)
Dont stammer and yammer at me again, man. Im losing all
patience with you people. What did she say?
8. (grimly) Dont worry Mrs Birling. I shall do my duty. (looks at
his watch).
9. (taking charge, masterfully). Stop!
They are suddenly quiet, staring at him.
And be quiet for a moment and listen to me. I dont need to
know any more. Neither do you. This girl killed herself and
died a horrible death. But each of you helped to kill her.
Remember that. Never forget it.
10.
We dont live alone. We are members of one
body. We are responsible for one another. And I tell you that
the time will soon come when, if men will not learn their
lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and
anguish.

Themes
Remorse and Guilt

Although not every character feels remorse or guilt, this theme

links to Priestleys intentions to create a play in which the
characters learn something by the end. Sheila shows remorse
when she confesses to what she did to Eva Smith and at the end
of the play. Eric also shows remorse for what he has done and
appears to have learnt from his actions by the end of the play.
Gerald appears to be remorseful directly after his confession but
seems to forget this quickly once he realises that the Inspector
wasnt real. Mr and Mrs Birling provide a contrast by not feeling
remorse at all and making the audience dislike them for this.
1. SHEILA: Ill never, never do it again to anybody.

2. GERALD: (distressed) Sorry I well, Ive suddenly realised

taken it in properly that shes dead

3. MRS BIRLING: I did nothing Im ashamed of or that wont

bear investigation.

4. ERIC: (Unhappily) My God - Im not likely to forget.

5. GERALD: Everythings alright now Sheila

6. MR BIRLING: Theres every excuse for what your mother and

I did

Responsibility
Priestleys socialist beliefs create a clear message for the
audience about an individuals responsibility for their own actions

and for the way in which their actions affect others. The Inspector
reflects Priestleys personal beliefs about the importance of caring
for those around us.
For Mr Birling, looking after himself, his family and his business is
all that matters and his speeches at the start of the play make
this clear. The Inspector forces him to see even if only
momentarily that his actions affect others. His children provide
a contrast as they are able to learn the importance of taking
responsibility for their actions. They accept that their actions had
an impact on Eva Smiths life and seem to be able to change into
more responsible people with a more socialist attitude.
1. MR BIRLING: a man has to mind his own business and look
after himself and his own

2. MR BIRLING: Still, I cant accept any responsibility.

3. SHEILA: Ill never, never do it again to anybody.

4. ERIC: For Gods sake! What does it matter now whether they
give you a knighthood or not?

5. INSEPCTOR: Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as

well as privileges.

6. INSPECTOR: We dont live alone. We are members of one

body. We are responsible for one another.

The Law and Morality

The arrival of a police Inspector suggests at first that a legal

crime has been committed. However, it is not an illegal incident
that the Inspector is investigating, it is immorality. Eric is the
only one to have actually committed crimes (theft and rape)
but the Inspector views this as equal to the other family
members immoral behaviour towards Eva Smith. Priestley is
trying to suggest that, while immoral behaviour is not illegal,
the perpetrators of immoral behaviour should still be held to
account.
1. INSPECTOR: Id like some information if you dont mind, Mr
Birling. Two hours ago a young woman died in the Infirmary.
Shed been taken there this afternoon because shed
swallowed a lot of strong disinfectant. Burnt her inside out,
of course.

2. MR BIRLING: Yes, yes. Horrid business. But I dont

understand why you should come here Inspector

3. ERIC: Whoever that chap was, the fact remains that I did
what I did. And mother did what she did. And the rest of you
did what you did to her. Its still the same rotten story
whether its been told to a police inspector or to somebody
else.

4. ERIC: He was our police inspector alright.

5. MR BIRLING: The whole storys just a lot of moonshine!

Nothing but an elaborate sell!

6. SHEILA: Everything we said had happened really had

happened. If it didnt end tragically, then thats lucky for us.
But it might have done.

Public Image and Hypocrisy

The play is set at a time when appearances were highly valued.
Whatever people did that was shameful did not matter, as long
as people did not find out; affairs were commonplace. The elder
Birlings and Gerald try to conceal the truth of their actions from
the Inspector because of this need to maintain public
appearances and Mr Birlings paramount concern in regard to
Eva Smith is of his public image.
Concern with appearances causes people to lie and act
hypocritically. Gerald claims to love Sheila yet has an affair with
Daisy Renton; Mrs Birling presents herself as a respectable
citizen yet heartlessly refuses Eva Smith help; Mr Birling
presents himself as a family man yet his son feels that he
cannot talk to him. Mrs Birling claims the father of Eva Smiths
child should endure public humiliation and made to be
responsible yet proves herself to be hypocritical when it is
revealed that her son is that father.
1. GERALD: You seem to be a nice well-behaved family

2. GERALD: All right. I knew her. Lets leave it at that.

3. MRS BIRLING: Certainly. And he ought to be dealt with

very severely.

4. MRS BIRLING: But surelyI meanIts ridiculous

5. MR BIRLING: Therell be a public scandaland who here

will suffer from that more than I will?

6. ERIC: For Gods sake! What does it matter now whether

they give you a knighthood or not?

Class, Status and Power

The play is set at a time when social status was very important,
and to some people defined their worth as human beings. Both
Mr and Mrs Birling are very aware of their status in society and
attempt to use this to influence the Inspector. Mr Birling also
hopes that his daughters marriage to Gerald Croft will elevate
the familys social status yet further. Eva Smith, on the other
hand, has very little status. She is working class and this is
largely why the Birling family treat her in the way they do.
We also see peoples abuse of their power: the way Mr Birling
wields his power over his employees; Sheilas abuse of her
power for jealousy, Erics abuse of his power for lust. Priestley
wants the audience to question a system built on the shallow
values of class and, through the Inspector, suggests that a
system based on honesty and kindness would be more
beneficial to society.
1. MR BIRLING: I have an idea that your mother Lady Croft
while she doesnt object to my girl feels you might have
done better for yourself socially

2. MR BIRLING: I refused, of course.

3. GERALD: Not if it was after the holidays. Theyd all be broke

- if I know them.

4. MR BIRLING: And then she got herself into trouble there, I

suppose?

5. MRS BIRLING: Girls of that class

6. MRS BIRLING: You know of course that my husband was Lord

Mayor only two years ago and that hes still a magistrate
Women
The play is set at a time when women had very little power.
Working class women would have been lacking in education
and had few opportunities for jobs, whereas it was socially
unacceptable for middle and upper class women to work and
they were reliant on their families and husbands.
However, when the play was actually written, women had
successfully fought for emancipation and were starting to be
viewed more equally. Sheila is indicative of the beginnings of
these changes. Priestley wanted people to reflect on the
changes that had happened between when the play was set
and when it was written in order to show people that social
change can be a positive thing.
1. MRS BIRLING: When youre married youll realise that men
with important work to do sometimes have to spend nearly
all their time and energy on their business. Youll have to get
used to that, just as I had.

2. MR BIRLING: Youve got to remember, my boy, that clothes

mean something quite different to a woman. Not just
something to wear and not only something to make them
look prettier but well, a sort of sign or token of their self
respect.

3. INSPECTOR: And then you decided to keep her as your

mistress?

4. MR BIRLING: I protest against the way in which my

daughter, a young unmarried girl, is being dragged into this

5. MR BIRLING: Now Sheila, Im not defending him. But you

must understand that a lot of young men
6. ERIC: I wasnt in love with her or anything but I like her
she was pretty and a good sport

Here are some key words you can use to impress the examiner!
Try to find an example from the play to illustrate each term.
Social class

Social mobility
Capitalism

The ranking of people

according to wealth and
power working class,
middle class, upper class
Moving up and down in the
class system

A social system that

revolves around the earning
and spending of money
Socialism
A social system where
people take collective
responsibility for everyone
in society
Social welfare
Benefits distributed by the
government to ensure that
everyone in society is able
to look after themselves
Stage directions
The advice given by

Priestley about how the

actors should behave
Well-made play

Morality play

Omniscient

The structure of An
Inspector Calls all of the
action takes place at the
same time, in the same
place, with well-timed
entrances and exits
A play which teaches the
audience a lesson about the
right and wrong way to
behave
All knowing the Inspector
is omniscient

Monosyllabic
words

Words of only one syllable

Interruptions

When one character stops

another talking by saying
something themselves
When a character doesnt
speak in a full sentence
normally because they are
feeling emotional
Describing something in a
roundabout way in order to
avoid offence or to protect
someone
A friendly word used to
address someone, showing
friendship or a positive
relationship
Orders or commands

Broken
sentences
Euphemism

Term of
endearment
Imperatives
Exclamatories

When a sentence ends with

an exclamation mark

Interrogatives

Questions

Caesura

A pause

Juxtapositioning

The arrangement of two

differing ideas near to one
another

Dramatic irony

When the audience knows

something that the
characters on stage dont
When something that is
hinted at later comes to
fruition anticipated irony
When events are re-capped
for the benefit of the
audience the Inspector is
used by Priestley as a choric
device to remind the
audience what has
happened to Eva Smith

Proleptic irony
Choric device

How to Answer an Extract Question

1. Read the question, identify the keywords.
How is dramatic tension created at the close of
Act One?
2. Analyse the extract how does Priestley create effects? Look
at what is said (words, silences, interaction) and how it is
said (stage directions).

INSPECTOR:
(Sternly) Thats what I asked myself tonight, when I was
looking at that dead girl. And then I said to myself: Well, well try
to understand why it had to happen? And thats why Im here,
and why Im not going until I know all that happened. Eva Smith
lost her job with Birling and Company because the strike failed
and they were determined not to have another one. At last she
found another job under what name I dont know in a big
shop, and had to leave there because you were annoyed with
yourself and passed the annoyance on to her. Now she had to try
something else. So first she changed her name to Daisy Renton
GERALD:

(startled) What?

INSPECTOR:
GERALD:
Sheila?

(steadily) I said she changed her name to Daisy Renton.

(pulling himself together) Dyou mind if I give myself a drink

SHEILA merely nods, still staring at him, and he goes across to the
tantalus on the sideboard for a whisky.
INSPECTOR:
SHEILA:

Where is your father, Miss Birling?

He went into the drawing room, to tell my mother what was

happening here. Eric, take the Inspector along to the drawing
room.

As ERIC moves, the INSPECTOR looks from SHEILA to GERALD, then

goes out with ERIC.
Well, Gerald?
GERALD:

(trying to smile) Well what, Sheila?

SHEILA:

How did you come to know this girl Eva Smith?

GERALD:

I didnt.

SHEILA:

Daisy Renton then its the same thing.

GERALD:

Why should I have known her?

SHEILA:

Oh dont be stupid. We havent much time. You gave yourself

away as soon as he mentioned her other name.

GERALD:

All right. I knew her. Lets leave it at that.

SHEILA:

We cant leave it at that.

GERALD:

(approaching her) Now listen, darling

SHEILA:

No, thats no use. You not only knew her but you knew her very
well. Otherwise, you wouldnt look so guilty about it. When did
you first get to know her?

He does not reply.

Was it after she left Milwards? When she changed her name, as
he said, and began to live a different sort of life? Were you
seeing her last spring and summer, during that time when you
hardly came near me and said you were so busy? Were you?
He does not reply but looks at her.
Yes, of course you were.

GERALD:

Im sorry, Sheila. But it was all over and done with, last summer. I
hadnt set eyes on the girl for at least six months. I dont come
into this suicide business.

SHEILA:

I thought I didnt, half an hour ago.

GERALD:

You dont. Neither of us does. So for Gods sake dont say

anything to the Inspector.

SHEILA:

About you and this girl?

GERALD:

Yes. We can keep it from him.

SHEILA:

(laughs rather hysterically) Why you fool he knows. Of course

he knows. And I hate to think how much he knows that we dont
know yet. Youll see. Youll see.

She looks at him almost in triumph. He looks crushed. The door slowly
opens and the INSPECTOR appears, looking steadily and searchingly at
them.
INSPECTOR:

Well?
END OF ACT ONE

3. Start your response by writing a short introduction to the

extract. Include what happens in the extract, what has happened
just before and refer to the keywords from the question.
In this extract, the Inspector has just finished questioning Sheila about the
death of Eva Smith. It is at this point that the audience begin to realise that
Gerald is also knew her, only as Daisy Renton. As a result, dramatic tension
is created because Gerald doesnt want Sheila to know about his affair with
Daisy Renton.

4. Write your response- avoid using PEE as it is too restrictive:

-

At the start of the extract, tension is created through Geralds startled

interruption when the Inspector says that Eva changed her name to Daisy
Renton. Here, the audience (and Sheila) realise that Gerald was somehow
involved with Eva Smith. As Sheila had previously referenced Gerald being
very distant the previous summer, we may assume that he was having an
affair with Eva during that time. This would create tension as Gerald is due to
marry Sheila yet has been unfaithful; this may also create tension as Mr
Birling has a professional interest in the marriage, and therefore may create
tension between Sheila and the rest of the Birlings...

Hints and Tips:

Explain where it is in the play/ novel at the start of your response

Analyse in chronological order- but identify links across the extract
Analyse the extract ONLY- but you can cross-reference link with
elsewhere
Look at entire extract- should say something from beginning, middle
and end
Analyse form, structure and language
Show detailed understanding of characters/ motivations
Always contextualise quotations
Link to the impact on the reader/ audience

Example Extract Questions

1. From page 1 At rise of curtain to page 3 (clears his throat).
What atmosphere does Priestley create at the opening of the
play?
2. From page 6 Im delighted about this engagement to page
7 weve had experience and we know.
How does Priestley want the audience to feel about Mr
Birling and why?
3. Page 11 The Inspector enters to page 12 There might be.
Explore how Priestley introduces the character of the
Inspector.
4. Page 17 Whats all this about? to page 19 But these girls
arent cheap labour theyre people.
What does Priestley show us about the character of Sheila
Birling?

5. Page 25 So first she changed her name to Daisy Renton

to end of scene.
How does Priestley create dramatic tension?
6. Opening of Act Two to page 28 And this is just the wrong
time not to believe me.
Explore how Priestley develops the relationship between
Gerald and Sheila.
7. Page 36 We went along to the County Hotel to page 38 You
know, it wasnt disgusting.
How does Priestley present the relationship between Gerald
and Eva?
8. Page 47 Youre not even sorry now to end of scene.
Explore how Priestley creates drama in this extract.
9. Page 54 (Miserably) Yes. That was the worst of all. to page
57 (pours himself out a drink, which he hastily swallows.)
Evaluate the effect the Inspector has had on The Birling
family.
10.
Page 57 (angrily to Eric) to page 59 he was our police
Inspector alright.
Explore the different reactions of the Birling family to what
the Inspector has revealed.
11.
Page 70 (triumphantly) There you are! to end of scene.
How does Priestley create an dramatic ending to the play?

How to Answer a Whole Text Question Essay

Style
1. Read the question, identify the keywords.
How does Priestley want the audience to feel about Mr
Birling?
2. Plan your answer brainstorm some ideas. This will ensure you
only use your very best ideas in your essay. There are also marks
for organization so its worth spending time planning!

3. Start your response with an introduction that addresses the

question. If its a character question, introduce the character, if
its a thematic question explain what is meant by the theme. Try
to refer to the social and historical context.
Mr Birling is a central character in the play An Inspector Calls. He is the head
of the Birling Household and the proprietor of Birling and Company, a
company which once employed Eva Smith, and this has propelled him into
the Upper Middles Classes. At the time the play was set, Mr Birling would
have had authority and power as he was both a male and successful in
business. Priestley presents Mr Birling in a range of ways designed to
provoke different feelings in his audience.

4. You should aim to write 5 / 6 paragraphs in response to the

question. Each paragraph should:
- Start with a short point that uses the keyword from the question
- Include some relevant evidence, or some relevant detail
embedding a few very short quotes may be more appropriate.
- Mention the audience and how they feel
- Mention Priestley and the message he is trying to convey
- Try to refer to the historical context
- Finish by referring back to the keyword from the question

At the start of the play, Mr Birling is presented as rather arrogant, giving the
audience a negative first impression. Although he and his family are
gathered to celebrate the engagement of his daughter Sheila to Gerald Croft,
he manages to ensure that the attention remains on him. He begins a long
speech, ostensibly to celebrate Sheilas engagement. However, he starts by
waiting to ensure all eyes are on him and holds their attention for a
moment because he enjoys being the centre of attention. His speech is
lengthy, again showing that he is self-absorbed, and he quickly veers off onto
the topic of business, referring to Geralds family business of Crofts Limited
and how he hopes they can soon become business partners. This shows the
audience that, not only does Mr Birling enjoy talking and having his whole
familys attention, he also likes conversation to be centred around himself.
This gives the audience a negative first impression of Mr Birling. However, at
the time the play was set, many businessmen would have behaved in a
similar way as they would have been used to their family and others in
society indulging their desire for attention. Therefore, maybe Priestley
presents Mr Birling in a negative light deliberately in order to highlight the
selfishness of such people.

Remember - there is no right or wrong way to structure your

essay as long as it makes sense and answers the question, its
right!
5. Conclude your essay by summing up your argument and
referring back to the question. Mention Priestley and the audience
if possible.
In conclusion, Priestley presents Mr Birling as a character who is foolish,
short-sighted and selfish. He is unapproachable even to his own son, refuses
to take any responsibility for his own actions and does not learn anything
from events in the play. Priestley wants the audience to dislike Mr Birling in
order to highlight the foolishness and selfishness of a capitalist viewpoint.

Other Whole Text Essay Question Example

Responses
Give advice to the actor playing Eric
When Eric returns to the Birling house, the stage directions reveal him as
being pale and distressed and the actor playing Eric should perhaps also
look scared or apprehensive as Eric would know that his respectable, middle
class family are not going to be happy with the confession he is going to
have to make. Before Eric tells the Inspector anything he needs to have a
drink, which the Inspector permits, over-riding Mr Birlings refusal. The stage
directions state that Erics manner of handling the drink shows his familiarity
with quick heavy drinking and it is important that the actor playing Eric

draws attention to this behaviour as it is a major part of Erics character, and

in particular a major reason for his treatment of Eva Smith. Initially, Eric
responds to the Inspectors questions with short sentences such as One
night last November, The Palace Bar and I was a bit squiffy. These
emphasise his reluctance to reveal his involvement with Eva Smith and the
actor playing Eric could refuse to meet the Inspectors eyes as he answers
these questions to emphasise this reluctance. In addition, Eric could take a
gulp of whisky from his glass before he responds to each question to remind
the audience of his reliance on alcohol, as well as further emphasise his
reluctance to reveal his involvement with Eva Smith.
To what extent is public image the Birlings primary concern?
Public image was very important to middle class families at the time An
Inspector Calls was set. Middle class families would have wanted to mobilise
themselves further up the social hierarchy and in order to do that they had
to appear respectable and present a good public image. The Birlings were
one of these middle class families and therefore public image was important
to them, to varying degrees and for different reasons.
Public image is very important to Mrs Birling. Eva Smith went to the Brumley
Womens Charity Organisation to ask for help when she was pregnant with
Erics child and absolutely desperate. At the time the play was set, there was
no social welfare; people like Eva had to rely on charity. However, Mrs Birling
turned Eva down, primarily because she called herself Mrs Birling. Eva had
claimed she was a married woman simply because it would have been
disgraceful at the time to be unmarried and pregnant so she wanted to
appear respectable when presenting herself to the committee, and she
chose the Birling name because she knew that Eric Birling was the father of
her child. Therefore, she had understandable rationale for presenting herself
to the committee as Mrs Birling. However, when speaking to the Inspector,
Mrs Birling unfeelingly admits that Evas use of the Birling name caused her
to be prejudiced against her case and that she used my influence to get it
refused. She seems to have no remorse for turning down a desperate
woman and continues to believe that she is justified for doing so, simply
because the Birling name was used by her. This shows that public image is
important to Mrs Birling as she is prepared to behave badly and
unsympathetically to other people simply because she believed her name
was being used wrongly. Mrs Birling was originally an upper class woman
who married down to businessman Arthur Birling and therefore she would
have been particularly keen to maintain a good public image; she would not
want people to think that she had lost her upper class respectability because
of her marriage. As her behaviour to Eva Smith and her lack of remorse for it
shows, public image is of paramount importance to Mrs Birling.

How to Answer a Whole Text Question

Empathy Style
This style of question will usually ask you to imagine you are one
of the characters at a point in the play.

1. Plan your answer brainstorm your ideas. This is especially

important for the empathy style question as you need to make
sure your response is logical!
You are Mrs Birling at the end of Act Two. Write your
thoughts.

2. You should start with the most recent thought and track
backwards through the play. Use detail and as many of the
characters actual words as possible in order to create an
accurate narrative voice.
I dont believe it. I wont believe it. My boy wouldnt do something like that,
its simply ridiculous. My Eric isnt some drunken idler like that wretched girl
described. The sheer impertinence of that Inspector! If he even is a real
Inspector. How dare he question me? What business is it of his? Yes, I was
chair of the Brumley Womens Charity Organisation that day but I did nothing
Im ashamed of or that wont bear investigation.

3. Finish right back at the start of the play and simply stop there.
Everything seemed so wonderful at the start of this evening, before that
dreadful Inspector arrived. Gerald gave Sheila a lovely ring and it was awfully
clever of him to produce it at just the right moment. I am sure they will get
over this silly hiccup though: sometimes men have things to do that we
women simply cannot understand, like this disgusting affair Gerald admitted
to this evening. But Sheila will simply have to get used to it, just as I had. Oh,
I am looking forward to their wedding and finally becoming part of the
wonderful Croft family.

Example Whole Text Essay Questions

Character Questions
1. How does Priestley present the change in Sheila throughout
the play?
2. Has Gerald Croft learnt anything by the end of the play?
3. What are the similarities and differences between Gerald
Croft and Mr Birling?
4. Is Sheila a likeable character?
5. How does Priestley want the audience to feel about Mr
Birling?
6. How does Priestley create sympathy for the character of Eva
Smith?
7. Give advice to the actor playing Eric.
8. What are your thoughts about Mrs Birling?
9. Imagine you are Sheila at the end of the play. Write your
thoughts.
10.

Inspector Goole represents Priestley himself.

To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Thematic Questions
1. Who is most to blame for the death of Eva Smith?
2. What lesson is the Inspector trying to teach the Birlings?
3. What does the play show about responsibility?
4. Which character feels most remorse for what has happened
to Eva Smith?
5. To what extent is public image the Birlings primary concern?
6. Who is the most morally reprehensible and why?
7. To what extent does Priestley present a difference between
the generations?

How Your Work Will be Marked

Extrac
t
Questi
on
2-4

Whole
Text
Questi
on
5-9

5-7

10-14

8-10

15-20

Displays some understanding of main features.

Makes generalised reference to relevant aspects of the text, echoing
and paraphrasing.
Begins to select relevant detail.
Able to recognise and make simple comments on particular features
of style and structure.
Shows a limited awareness of social/cultural and historical contexts.
Begins to be aware how social/cultural and historical context is
relevant to understanding the texts
Expression will be reasonably clear and the answer will have a basic
structure.
Grammar, punctuation and spelling will contain errors but these will
not be intrusive.
Use of specialist vocabulary will be limited and/or not always
appropriate.
Makes more detailed reference to text.
Discusses thoroughly, and increasingly thoughtfully, characters and
relationships.
Probes the sub-text with increasing confidence.
Selects and evaluates relevant textual details.
Understands and demonstrates how writers use ideas.
Themes and settings to affect the reader.
Conveys ideas clearly and appropriately.
Sees how different aspects of style and structure combine to create
effects.
Shows increasingly clear appreciation of how meanings and ideas
are conveyed through language, structure and form.
Able to set texts in contexts more securely.
Begins to see how texts have been influential.
Has a clear grasp of social/cultural and historical context.
Begins to be able to relate texts to own and others' experience.
Expression will be mainly clear and fluent and the answer will be
quite well structured.
There will be some errors in spelling or punctuation.
Specialist vocabulary will be used mainly appropriately.
Makes increasingly assured selection and incorporation of relevant
detail.
Able to speculate/offer tentative judgements.
Able to evaluate characters/relationships and attitudes/motives.
At the highest level, consistently handles texts with confidence.
Has an overview and ability to move from the specific to the general.
Uses apt textual support.
Shows appreciation of how writers use language to achieve specific
effects.
Makes assured exploration and evaluation of the ways meaning,
ideas and feeling are conveyed through language, structure and
form;
At the highest level, makes assured analysis of stylistic features.
Shows a clear understanding of social/cultural and historical
contexts; are able to relate texts to own and others' experience.
Able to identify and comment on importance of social/cultural and
historical contexts.
At the highest level, shows a clear understanding of social/cultural

and historical contexts.

Able to relate details of text to literary background and explain how
texts have been / are influential at different times.
Expression will be clear and fluent and the answer will be well
structured. There will be few errors in grammar, punctuation and
spelling; specialist vocabulary will be used appropriately.

Final Tips
Writing about the structure of the play and its significance /
effect on an audience can help to move you up the grade
boundaries.
Show an awareness of the play as a constructed work make it
clear you know that this is a play and the characters are
constructs through which Priestley is expressing his thoughts
and ideas.
Show that you have thought about the play for yourself how
an audience would respond, what Priestley is trying to show.
Consider how the play is still relevant today does it deal with
some issues which we still face?
Use appropriate critical vocabulary in your responses
conveys, portrays, suggests, demonstrates, reinforces,
highlights, illustrates
Dont just identify language techniques - suggest why they are
used and what impression they give.
Practice responding to a range of different tasks in timed
conditions.
Practice planning essays in short spaces of time.
Practice timings- Spend 20 minutes on the extract and 40
minutes on the essay.
Look at BBC Bitesize for revision ideas about An Inspector
Calls.
Past papers and mark schemes for previous exams are
available on wjec.co.uk under the English Literature section.

 Email your teacher for help and feedback

p.butler@plantbrk.bham.sch.uk
Dont panic! Be positive you ARE amazing and you CAN do it!