T hemes

Themes

Social responsibility

Social class

Personal responsibility

Generation gap

1An Inspector Calls - In Context (Part 1 of 2) - YouTube

Can I explore how Priestley uses Birling to present the themes of social responsibility?Key wordsSocial statusClassSocial responsibilityMarginalisationCapitalist

Starter: p75-76Look carefully, at the description of of the Birlings and their house. What does it reveal about his: * background * personality• interests• class

B grade - I can explain how Priestley uses language – description & dialogue – to present ……..through Mr BirlingC grade - I can identify how Priestley has used language to present Mr Birling as a symbol of …….

Can you identify any Capitalist values?

LO: Can I explore how Priestley uses Mr Birling to present the theme of social responsibility?

Appearance

Things he says

Things he does

Personality

Priestley carefully chooses the words his characters say?

WHY?

Other themes he represents in the novel

Personal and political values

I can’t accept any responsibility.

Priestley presents Mr Birling as a foolish man, with no real understanding of the world around him and how it is changing. He is blind to the realities of the world and thinks he knows best. ‘The Germans don’t want war’. Priestley portrays him as a pompous, arrogant man whose main concern is with the profits of his company and his social standing.Priestley is trying to show the audience that Mr Birling has no social understanding or awareness. The audience begins to respond to Mr Birling negatively as they begin to see how ignorant he really is and how shallow his values are.

- and unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable

How does Priestley use Mr Birling to present the theme of social responsibility? GRADE B question GRADE C question

Point: what is the point Priestley is making about social responsibility in 1912 Britain through this quote of Mr Birling ?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Evidence: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Explain: How do the words in the quotehelp the audience understand Mr Birling’s attitude to social responsibility and thus Priestley’s message?_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Point: what is the point Priestley is making about Mr Birling this quote?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Evidence: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Explain: How does Priestley present the theme of social responsibility through the character of Mr Birling?_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What is the point Priestley is making about Mr Birling’s personality and values from these quotes?

Quote Explanation

‘there’s a fair chance I might find my way into the next Honour’s List’ 8

‘ when Crofts and Birlings are no longer competing’ 4

‘I was an alderman for years and Lord Mayor for two years’

‘There’ll be peace and prosperityand rapid progress everywhere’ 7

‘lower cost and higher prices, 4

‘community and all that nonsense’ 10

‘ a man has to mind his own business and look after himself andhis own’ 10

‘I was quite justified’ 17

‘Still, I can’t accept any responsibility’ 14

What must I do to achieve my target?You must support your views with close reference to context and Priestley’s ideas:

How has Priestley presented Mr Birling in Act 1?

B grade – I can explain how Priestley presents Mr Birling, explaining key quotes and the impact Priestley wants him to have on the audienceC Grade: I can comment on the Mr Birling’s character and what the audience think of him. I can find some quotes to support my views.

A grade- I can explore in detail how Priestley presents Mr Birling, exploring key quotes and the impact Priestley wants him to have on the audience.

How does Priestley use Mr Birling to present the theme of social responsibility?GRADE C questionPoint: what is the point Priestley is making about Mr Birling this quote?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Evidence: ‘ a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own’

“Explain: How does Priestley present Mr Birling through this quote? What will the audience think of him?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________