Paper 2: An Inspector Calls prep

Hi folks,

I'm going to write a few posts with some last minute reminders for English Literature Paper 2.

First up... An Inspector Calls.

I put together quite a few revision resources in this post from last year. 

I'm not going to repeat everything from last year's post. Instead, I'll give you a few reminders about specific questions and essay plans.

Structuring your response:

Remember, the nice thing about Section A of Paper 2 is that you get to choose a question. For example:

First up, whether you've got a character question or a theme-based one, you need to put together a quick plan. Investing 5 minutes on planning will give your answer a sense of direction and will help you ensure that you include key points from throughout the play, hopefully leading up to a conceptualised response which considers the character/theme's development and destination.

Here's my basic format for your plan:

1.     Initial impressions  - i.e. how is the character introduced? Initial stage directions? Early contributions to the dialogue? What are the characters' values/attitudes/characteristics? If it's a theme-based question, how is the theme introduced and set-up early on?

2.     Development - i.e. how does the writer develop the character and reveal the complexities/contradictions/changes compared to our initial impressions? If it's a theme, how does Priestley explore the issue as the play goes on?

3.    Destination - i.e. how has the character changed by the end of the play? What role does the character end up fulfilling? What does the character come to represent? If a theme, how does the ending of the play leave the audience feeling about the idea in the question?

Here's what a basic plan on Mr Birling might look like:

1.     Initial impressions:  Stg. dir: 'rather provincial'. Self-obsessed and 'hard-headed businessman': speeches. Dramatic irony to undermine. Capitalist - and critical of socialist attitudes: 'lower costs'.

2.    Development: defensive and attempts to intimidate Insp (mentions Colonel Rob). Euphemisms to evade responsibility/guilt. Dismissive attitude. Glad that others are involved. Doesn't accept responsibility ('bees in a hive').

3.    Destination: Apparent regret, but still only thinks in financial terms ('I'd give thousands'). Laughs at the 'famous younger generation'. Circular structure mirrors his return to complacency. Birling = capitalism. Static character intended to personify all the faults and complacency of Edwardian England. Characterisation is not subtle - buffoonish from the very start. 

 It would be a good idea for you to practice doing this for the key characters, especially Gerald and Sheila. Think about what your essential quotes would be for these characters too, especially quotes which allow you to discuss Priestley's methods. E.g:

Sheila - essential quotes:

1.     stage dir: 'rather pleased with life', 'half serious, half playful', 'mock aggressiveness', 'possessively'.

2.    Childlike: 'mummy/daddy'.

3.    'Nasty temper': 'Don't be an ass, Eric'. 'You don't know all about port' - hints at the real Sheila

4.    'What was she like? Was she pretty?' Genuinely interested. Relates to Eva, but still shallow.

5.    'Impertinent is such a silly word' - irony: she used it in Act One.

6.    Sarcasm: 'We didn't think you meant Buckingham Palace'.

7.    Perceptiveness and metaphorical language: rope/wall

8.    Mature: 'Don't mind mother.'

9.    Moralises: ‘You began to learn something. And now you've stopped. You're ready to go on in the same old way’. 

Somewhere, I've written a Sheila essay and I'll send it by tomorrow. Alternatively, you can read The Traditional Teacher's here. He has sample answers on several characters and themes on his resources page, here.

The next post will be on Love and Relationships. But before I sign off, here are all of the other past questions on An Inspector Calls. You'll know you're ready when you can look at any of these and confidently knock together a five minute plan. 

Mr M 

P.S. After another exam board had a question on the 'Porter scene' from Macbeth, a lot of teachers are predicting a question on the significance of Edna, or perhaps Alderman Meggarty and Charlie Brunswick, so you'd better revise them too.

P.P.S. I'M KIDDING!