Watch who leaves the stage and when. Often, characters leave just before they are forced to confront a truth. 4. Revision Tips for the Exam
"I did nothing I'm ashamed of... I used my influence to have it refused." Sheila Birling: The Hope for the Future
The play follows the dramatic unravelling of the Birling family over a single evening. The action is continuous, meaning the timeline of the performance matches real-time precisely, which heightens the tension.
"I’m talking as a hard-headed, practical man of business." an inspector calls gcse revision
Echoes the Christian Communion. It positions socialism as a moral and spiritual duty. Inspector
They mock the Inspector after false relief. Phone rings → Priestley warns that ignoring responsibility brings real consequences.
Priestley uses the Inspector as a ghost of future warning. The play is a call to action: learn responsibility before “fire and blood” arrive again. Watch who leaves the stage and when
By setting it in 1912, Priestley warned his 1945 audience to learn from the failures of the past and embrace a socialist, fairer society. 4. Exam Structure: How to Get Top Marks
Explore how the character or theme is introduced, looking closely at language and dramatic irony.
One essay-length answer to one question (often choice of two) [11, 13]. Section 1: Key Characters & Quotes Revision Tips for the Exam "I did nothing I'm ashamed of
For every point you make, ask: What was Priestley trying to tell a 1945 audience?
Do not just analyze words. Talk about the play as a drama . Mention stage directions (e.g., the lighting changing from "pink and intimate" to "brighter and harder" when the Inspector arrives), dramatic irony, and the cliffhanger ending.
Snobbish, remorseless, and strictly bound by social etiquette. She refuses to accept any blame.
Avoid treating characters like real people. Refer to them as used by Priestley to convey an idea. Use phrases like:
"Write about the theme of responsibility in An Inspector Calls and how it is presented at different points in the play."