Priestley's An Inspector Calls is one of the most-studied texts on AQA and Edexcel GCSE English Literature. Examiners reward thoughtful analysis of theme, structure and Priestley's didactic socialist purpose — written in 1945, set in 1912.
The central themes are social responsibility, class, gender and the contrast between the older and younger generations. Use the sample notes and flashcards below to revise quotations and ideas you can adapt to any exam question.
At GCSE (AQA, Edexcel, OCR) you respond to a single thematic question on the whole play, weaving in social responsibility, class, gender, dramatic irony and Priestley's 1945 socialist context. Top-band answers track change across the three acts and embed short, flexible quotations.
The Recall tool is pre-loaded with high-quality an inspector calls — themes notes. Hit Generate to make a flashcard set instantly — or switch to quiz, summary or exam mode.
Q: Give a quotation that sums up Priestley's message of social responsibility.
A: “We don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.” — Inspector Goole, Act 3.
Q: How does Priestley use dramatic irony in Birling's Act 1 speeches?
A: Birling predicts the Titanic is 'unsinkable' and dismisses war — the 1945 audience knows both are wrong, discrediting his capitalist worldview.
Q: How does Sheila change across the play?
A: She moves from immature ('mummy') and self-centred to the most morally aware character, challenging her parents and refusing to forget what they did.
Q: What is the significance of the final phone call?
A: It restarts the cycle — a real inspector is now on his way — suggesting consequences cannot be avoided and the older Birlings have learned nothing.
The gap lets the audience judge the Birlings with hindsight — they know about both world wars, the Titanic and the General Strike. It exposes the complacency of pre-war capitalism.
Priestley keeps it deliberately ambiguous. 'Goole' sounds like 'ghoul'; he knows things he could not, and a real inspector arrives after he leaves. He functions symbolically as a moral force.
Like medieval morality plays it teaches a clear ethical lesson — that selfishness damages others — through characters who stand for ideas (capitalism, responsibility, conscience).
Argue a clear thesis in the introduction, write three thematic paragraphs with embedded quotations and method analysis (form, structure, language), weave context in throughout, and conclude with sustained judgement.
Create a free account to save study sets, track progress and revise on any device.