Introduction

Today, we’re going to explore how to develop articulate and creative personal responses to An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley. This play is rich with themes, characters, and social issues that invite us to think deeply and express our own ideas.

Understanding Personal Responses

What is a Personal Response?

A personal response is your own opinion or feeling about something you’ve read or experienced. When you respond to a text like An Inspector Calls, you think about how the story affects you, what you agree or disagree with, and what ideas it makes you consider.

Why is it Important?

Personal responses help you engage with the text. They encourage you to think critically and creatively. They also allow you to express your thoughts clearly, which is an important skill in school and beyond.

Key Rules for Writing Personal Responses

  1. Be Honest: Share what you truly think and feel about the play.
  2. Use Evidence: Support your ideas with quotes or examples from the text. This shows you understand the play.
  3. Be Clear: Write in a way that is easy to understand. Use simple sentences and clear language.
  4. Stay Focused: Stick to the main ideas. Don’t go off on tangents.
  5. Reflect: Think about how the play relates to your own life or the world today.

Tips and Tricks

  • Make Notes: As you read, jot down your thoughts and feelings. What surprised you? What did you agree with?
  • Discuss with Others: Talking about the play with classmates can help you develop your ideas.
  • Visual Aids: Create mind maps or charts to organise your thoughts.
  • Draft and Edit: Write a first draft, then go back to improve it. Check for clarity and support your opinions with evidence.
  • Practice: The more you practice writing personal responses, the better you will get!

Questions to Help You Develop Your Personal Responses

Easy Level Questions

  1. Who is the Inspector in the play?
  2. What does the Inspector want from the Birling family?
  3. How does Sheila change throughout the play?
  4. What does the play say about social responsibility?
  5. Why is the time period important to the story?
  6. How does Gerald react to the Inspector?
  7. Describe the relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Birling.
  8. What is the main theme of the play?
  9. How does the play end?
  10. What is your first impression of the Inspector?
  11. How does the character of Eva Smith affect the story?
  12. Why do you think Priestley wrote this play?
  13. What does each character represent?
  14. How do the Birlings feel about the Inspector?
  15. What is the significance of the title?
  16. How does the play reflect the issues of its time?
  17. What emotion do you feel for Eva Smith?
  18. What lesson do you think the characters learn?
  19. How does the setting affect the story?
  20. What is your overall opinion of the play?

Medium Level Questions

  1. Discuss how the Inspector represents social change.
  2. How does Priestley use dramatic irony in the play?
  3. How does Sheila’s perspective on social class differ from her parents?
  4. What role does gender play in the characters’ attitudes?
  5. Explain the significance of the word “fire” in the play.
  6. How do the characters respond to their own guilt?
  7. What does the Inspector mean when he says, “We are all responsible for each other”?
  8. How does the ending affect your view of the characters?
  9. What is the importance of family in the play?
  10. Describe how the play critiques capitalism.
  11. How does the Inspector challenge the Birlings’ beliefs?
  12. What does the play suggest about the future?
  13. How does the language used by characters reflect their social status?
  14. How does Gerald’s confession change your opinion of his character?
  15. Discuss the symbolism of the Inspector.
  16. What does Sheila learn about responsibility?
  17. How is tension built throughout the play?
  18. How do you think the audience would have reacted in 1945?
  19. What moral lessons can we learn from the play?
  20. How does the play compare to modern society?

Hard Level Questions

  1. How does Priestley use foreshadowing throughout the play?
  2. In what ways does the play challenge the notion of individualism?
  3. Discuss the role of the Inspector as a moral figure.
  4. How does the structure of the play enhance its message?
  5. What are the consequences of the characters’ actions in the play?
  6. Analyze how the theme of social class is portrayed.
  7. How does the use of time in the play affect the narrative?
  8. Discuss the impact of the Inspector’s interrogation techniques.
  9. How does Priestley use contrast between characters to convey themes?
  10. What is the significance of the play’s setting in 1912 versus its performance in 1945?
  11. Explore the psychological aspects of guilt portrayed in the play.
  12. How do the Birlings’ attitudes reflect the historical context of the play?
  13. Discuss the role of irony in shaping the audience’s perception of the characters.
  14. How does the play address the concept of collective responsibility?
  15. Analyze the character development of Mr. Birling throughout the play.
  16. What are the implications of the Inspector’s final speech?
  17. How does Priestley use dialogue to reveal character motivations?
  18. In what ways does the play serve as a critique of Edwardian society?
  19. How does the ending of the play provoke thought about future generations?
  20. What is the significance of the Inspector’s mysterious background?

Conclusion

Developing your personal responses to An Inspector Calls is about engaging with the text and expressing your thoughts clearly. Remember to support your ideas with evidence from the play, and don’t be afraid to share your honest feelings. Use the questions we discussed to practice and improve your responses.

Answers to Questions

Easy Level Answers

  1. The Inspector is a character who investigates the Birling family.
  2. The Inspector wants the Birlings to understand their responsibility for Eva Smith’s death.
  3. Sheila becomes more aware of social issues and shows regret.
  4. The play suggests that everyone has a duty to care for each other.
  5. The time period shows the divide between classes before World War I.
  6. Gerald feels guilty but tries to defend himself.
  7. The Birlings have a strained relationship, often disagreeing.
  8. The main theme is social responsibility.
  9. The play ends ambiguously, suggesting more questions about responsibility.
  10. The Inspector seems confident and authoritative.
  11. Eva Smith is a symbol of the working class’s struggles.
  12. Priestley wrote this play to promote social change.
  13. Each character represents different social attitudes.
  14. The Birlings are defensive and dismissive towards the Inspector.
  15. The title suggests an investigation into morals and actions.
  16. It reflects class struggles and the need for reform.
  17. I feel sympathy for Eva Smith.
  18. The characters learn that their actions have consequences.
  19. The setting creates a sense of upper-class privilege.
  20. I think the play is thought-provoking and important.

Medium Level Answers

  1. The Inspector represents the voice of social change and accountability.
  2. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows more than the characters.
  3. Sheila believes in social responsibility, unlike her parents.
  4. Gender roles are strict, with women expected to be submissive.
  5. “Fire” represents danger and destruction related to social issues.
  6. The characters show varying levels of guilt and denial.
  7. It means we must care for one another in society.
  8. The ending leaves the audience questioning the characters’ futures.
  9. Family is central to the plot and reveals social dynamics.
  10. The play criticizes capitalism by showing its harsh effects.
  11. The Inspector forces them to confront uncomfortable truths.
  12. The play warns of the dangers of repeating past mistakes.
  13. Language shows class differences, like formal vs. informal speech.
  14. Gerald’s confession shows his complexity and flaws.
  15. The Inspector symbolizes moral authority and justice.
  16. Sheila learns to accept responsibility for her actions.
  17. Tension is built through conflicts and revelations.
  18. The audience in 1945 would have seen it as a call for change.
  19. We learn that our actions can harm others.
  20. The play highlights ongoing issues in society today.

Hard Level Answers

  1. Foreshadowing hints at future events, like the Inspector’s arrival.
  2. It challenges individualism by showing interconnectedness.
  3. The Inspector embodies morality and social justice.
  4. The structure builds suspense and reveals character flaws.
  5. Their actions lead to tragedy and loss for Eva.
  6. Social class is shown through the Birlings’ attitudes.
  7. The play’s time structure creates urgency and tension.
  8. The Inspector uses questioning to reveal truths.
  9. Contrasts highlight different perspectives on responsibility.
  10. The setting enhances the critique of social issues.
  11. Guilt affects each character differently, revealing their nature.
  12. The Birlings reflect the selfish attitudes of their time.
  13. Irony shapes how we view their moral failings.
  14. It suggests that society must work together for improvement.
  15. Mr. Birling starts as arrogant but faces harsh realities.
  16. The final speech urges reflection on personal responsibility.
  17. Dialogue reveals hidden motives and true feelings.
  18. The play critiques inequality and class privilege.
  19. The ending suggests hope for future change and awareness.
  20. The Inspector’s background raises questions about authority.

By practicing these questions and focusing on your responses, you will become better at articulating your ideas about An Inspector Calls. Good luck!