An Inspector Calls: Arthur Birling

This interesting and engaging lesson enables students to build their understanding Arthur Birling, one of the chief protagonists in J.B. Priestley’s ‘An Inspector Calls.’ In particular, students learn about his characteristics, his attitudes and opinions towards the world around him and other people, and also his relevance to Priestley’s social and historical context.

The lesson follows a clear, logical, bite-size learning journey, which guides students towards differentiated learning objectives. Over the course of this journey, they become able to:
- Recall and understand the key features of Birling's character profile;
- Link Birling to the social and historical context of the play;
- Understand how Birling's character is significant in terms of Priestley's key message;
- Read and understand the section of the play in which Birling is interviewed by the inspector;
- Analyse key quotations by and about Birling in the text;
- Read and understand the opening of the play;
- Create a diary-entry piece in which they consider Birling's morals and sense of responsibility for the death of Eva Smith;
-Peer/self-assess learning attempts.

This resource pack includes:
- A visually engaging whole-lesson PowerPoint presentation;
- Images of Birling to be annotated for the starter task;
- A clear and interesting worksheet for the introductory task;
- An extract from Act 1 of the play for students to read and interpret;
- P.E.E template for students to complete their character analysis;
- A detailed lesson plan, complete with what the teacher and students should aim to achieve at each stage of the lesson.

All images are licensed for commercial use, and are cited on the final slide of the PowerPoint.