'An Inspector Calls' by J B Priestley

Course Overview

Students will study J. B. Priestley's 1945 play, 'An Inspector Calls.' Reading will take place both during lessons and as home learning activities. This is to ensure lesson time can be focused on analysis as well as reading. They will begin by learning the importance of the historical and social context of the play, starting with an analysis of the opening scene. Students will meet the characters in Act I, Scene I, and spend time exploring first impressions. Students will then examine the importance of structure as the play develops, exploring the ways in which Priestley uses this as a way of creating tension for his audience. Students will be guided through the plot in its entirety and construct a personal response to the play after analysing its dramatic ending. The course will be delivered through extract analysis, teaching students how to conduct close language analysis and critical reading. Students will analyse key themes and characters, as well as explore writer intention/audience effect. Students will examine the importance of essential themes, engaging in sophisticated debate and discussions (social equality, class and status, gender politics, power, responsibility etc.). Students will also learn the dramatic value of the text, exploring the role of dramatic irony, setting, stage directions and how these contribute to the play's climax. Students will learn to annotate, interpret, infer and analyse extracts in preparation for an assessment question such as 'How does Priestley explore the theme of X across the play?' This course will teach the fundamental skills of literary analysis while practising reading, writing and oracy skills.