An Inspector Calls

# Essay Prompt: *An Inspector Calls* by J. B. Priestley **Prompt:** In *An Inspector Calls*, J. B. Priestley uses Inspector Goole to express his socialist moral vision. **Argue that the Inspector's questioning of the Birling family is not just a criminal inquiry, but a pointed critique of capitalist complacency and social negligence.** In your essay, you should: - Analyse how Priestley portrays the Inspector as a symbolic figure rather than a realistic one, and what impact this has on the audience. - Examine how at least **two members of the Birling family** react to the Inspector's disclosures, exploring what their responses indicate about class, age, and moral responsibility. - Discuss how Priestley employs **dramatic irony, staging, and dialogue** to reinforce his main message about collective responsibility. - Consider the **historical and social context** of the play (written in 1945, set in 1912) and how this time gap influences the audience's understanding of the Birlings' attitudes. **Assessment focus:** A compelling essay will move beyond a simple plot summary to make a coherent, evaluative argument about how Priestley's artistic choices support his political and moral aims. > *"We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other."* — Inspector Goole, Act Three

gcse_english_lit · aqa · edexcel · wjec · igcse_english_lit

# Essay Prompt: *An Inspector Calls* by J.B. Priestley **Prompt:** In *An Inspector Calls*, J.B. Priestley employs the character of Inspector Goole to critique society, emphasizing that people are bound by a shared moral duty to acknowledge the pain of others. Write a well-structured essay that explores how Priestley presents Inspector Goole as a symbolic figure rather than a realistic one, in order to convey his socialist views on social responsibility and class inequality. In your response, consider: - How Priestley’s use of the Inspector's language, entrances, and exits indicates that he is more than just a typical detective - How the Birling family's differing reactions to the Inspector's disclosures illustrate various perspectives on social responsibility - How dramatic elements like lighting, staging, and dramatic irony support Priestley's educational intent **Your essay should maintain a clear, consistent argument backed by detailed textual analysis.**

gcse_english_literature · aqa · edexcel · wjec

# Essay Prompt: *An Inspector Calls* by J.B. Priestley **Prompt:** Argue that in *An Inspector Calls*, Inspector Goole acts not just as a police detective but also as a moral and social conscience, compelling each member of the Birling family to face their shared responsibility for Eva Smith's demise. In your essay, explore how Priestley employs the Inspector's interrogation techniques, language, and symbolic function to critique the self-serving attitudes of the upper-middle class and to reinforce his central argument that **social responsibility is not optional but a moral obligation**. --- **Instructions:** - Develop a clear, arguable thesis that discusses Priestley's use of the Inspector as both a dramatic and ideological tool. - Support your argument with **at least three pieces of textual evidence**, including direct quotations. - Consider how the play's structure (e.g., the single setting, real-time action, dramatic irony) bolsters Priestley's message. - Address at least **one counterargument**: for example, that the Birlings' refusal to accept guilt diminishes the Inspector's effectiveness. - Conclude by reflecting on the play's significance for its **1945 audience** compared to its original **1912 setting**. --- **Assessment Focus:** Authorial intent, character analysis, dramatic technique, and social/historical context.

gcse_english_lit · aqa · edexcel · ap_lit