GCSE English Literature Unit 1 Modern Texts

An Inspector Calls by J B Priestley

LO: to explore the techniques Priestley uses to present characters and themes

It would be advisable if you bought your own copy of the play so that you can write notes in your book.

Key words:Responsibility, morality, community, consequences

Eva SmithThe first we hear of Eva Smith is the inspector’s description of her death.

Two hours ago a young woman died in the Infirmary. She’d been taken there this

afternoon because she’d swallowed a lot of strong disinfectant. Burnt her inside out, of

course.

Like a lot of these young women who get into various kinds of trouble, she’d used more than one

name. But her original name – her real name – was Eva Smith.

What do you think the inspector means by ‘a lot of these young women who get into various kinds of trouble’?

Eva Smith

Questions:What is a strike?Why do people strike?

Why was Eva striking?

When Eva loses her job she is faced with a bleak future.

Any similarities with 1912?

Act 1- Eva Smith’s storyAfter Mr Birling sacks Eva1) Once Eva leaves the works how long is

she unemployed?2) What quote describes Eva’s situation?

(p18)3) Why doesn’t Eva go back to her parents?4) How long do Eva’s savings last?5) Where was Eva living?6) Why didn’t Eva Smith just go on the

dole?

Write a diary entry for Eva Smith once she is sacked from Mr Birling’s factory.

Include:• What conditions were like at the

factory and how you felt about Mr Birling’s attitude to the workers and wages.

• What was it like being on strike over Christmas and why you returned to work.

* How you felt at being sacked and what options you have

What was going through Eva’s mind

• Conditions at the factory• How you felt about Mr

Birling’s attitude to the workers and wages.

Eva’s diary entryDear diary,Work was terrible today because I had a meeting from hell with the devil himself. That Arthur Birling is a greedy pig! How does he expect his workers to continue to work under such terrible conditions; we get very little money, yet we have to work twenty four seven; he treats us like a piece of rubbish. I tell you what we will do-we will strike! Let us see what he will do then.

When I met him today about a pay rise he said that twenty five shillings a week was too much-we would keep earning twenty two….

Band 1/2 E/F/G – limited writing: some attempt at detail to inspire reader. The writer uses limited description to develop detail. Use of vocabulary is limited to commonly used words. Attempts to manage sentences and may attempt to use

paragraphs to show structure.

Band 3 C– clear writing: presents ideas with some clear detail. The writer manages to develop ideas though is not always clear in their description. Uses vocabulary for

effect. Clear evidence of paragraphing though this is not always used correctly.

Band 4 B – confident writing: contains a high level of detail. The writer manages to develop ideas and ‘crafts’ their language. Words are deliberately chosen for effect.

Paragraphs link with each other and the narrative develops clearly.

Hot Seating Prep

Write down 5 questions for each character.

Sheila

Eva

Criteria for questions

Grade E- What…? Why?Grade C/D-Why…? What effect…?Grade B+ -Reflect on…? How…? Imagine…

Act it out!Groups:Act out this scene where Sheila goes shopping and gets Eva sacked.

Think about :•how each character might act/speak•

Success Criteria

•All must either say/do something

•Some of you might take act out a part

•One person needs to take overall responsibility to direct the task and help group to discuss ideas in detail

SUCCESS CRITERIA: SPEAKING AND LISTENING

Creating and sustaining roles

BAND 3 7-9Sustain roles and characters using appropriate language, gestures and movementsMake contribution to the development of ideas and situations showing understanding and insight into relationships and issues

BAND 2Show understanding of characters by creating strait forward roles using speech, gestures and movementsEngage with ideas and situations showing understanding of relationships and issues

BAND 3Listen closely and attentively, engaging with what is heard through perceptive responses.Make significant contributions that move discussions forward.

Success Criteria

B - confident and developed interpretations of texts engagement with writers’ ideas and attitudes understand and respond to different viewpoints relate to historical, social and cultural contexts

C - clear evidence of understanding significant

meanings of the text

ability to explain writers’ ideas clearly

understanding of different viewpoints

reference to historical, social and cultural

contexts