An Inspector Calls by JB Priestleys play is

An Inspector Calls by JB Priestley’s play is full of characters who appear respectable but beneath the respectable façade lie dark secrets. In this lesson you will focus on Gerald. You will use your knowledge and ideas to write or dictate an answer to a GCSE question. This task is a typical type of English Literature exam question. What’s the point of doing it? Well, this task stretches your analytical thinking skills and your ability to present a sophisticated argument – you will be pulling together different ideas, which is called synthesis - a high level thinking skill.

Words and phrases linked to the character of Gerald Remember doing this in class? These words and phrases can be linked to Gerald Take a few minutes to explain the points in your mind, or through brief notes

A reminder about Gerald… Gerald is described as 'an attractive chap about thirty, rather too manly to be a dandy but very much the easy well-bred young man-about-town'. Mr Birling is very pleased that Gerald is getting engaged to Sheila because his family are upper-class business owners, Mr Birling hopes they can join forces in business. At the beginning of the play, Gerald comes across as being confident and charming. This changes after his affair with Eva Smith is revealed. Gerald gives himself away when he hears that Eva changed her name to Daisy Renton. He initially is evasive and tries not to talk too much about it but redeems himself in the eyes of the audience by being more open and honest about it as he talks to Sheila. He lets himself down in the final act by trying to get the family out of trouble, he doesn't seem to have learned from his mistakes.

How does Priestley use Gerald’s position as a member of the upper class to attack the upper-classes of post-war Britain? Watch this 6 minute clip to help you develop an understanding of Priestley’s portrayal of Gerald. Watch it a second time but this time pause it to make some useful notes that will support the answer to the question. How does Gerald display his class? What do his comments about Eva/Daisy suggest about him (and his class) To what extent does Gerald change in the play?

How does Priestley use Gerald’s position as a member of the upper class to attack the upper-classes of post-war Britain? Write about the way Gerald behaves and responds to others in the play AND how Priestley presents Gerald by the way he writes. Use your knowledge of Gerald Use your knowledge of the play Use the extract on the next slide

How does Priestley use Gerald’s position as a member of the upper class to attack the upper-classes of post-war Britain? Write about the way Gerald behaves and responds to others in the play AND how Priestley presents Gerald by the way he writes.

Social & Historical Context: How does Priestley use Gerald’s position as a member of the upper class to attack the upper-classes of post-war Britain? Write about the way Gerald behaves and responds to others in the play AND how Priestley presents Gerald by the way he writes. To help you here a few sentence starters: Priestley presents Gerald as… Initially Gerald seems respectable and with nothing to hide but… Priestley is making the point that the upper class are… Towards the end of the play Gerald reappears and seems to have… Priestley is showing us how he feels the Upper Class think they can…

Social & Historical Context: How does Priestley use Gerald’s position as a member of the upper class to attack the upper-classes of post-war Britain? Write about the way Gerald behaves and responds to others in the play AND how Priestley presents Gerald by the way he writes. I’m happy to talk through any ideas you have or answer questions about this task – just send me an email or ask your keyworker to contact me and I’ll get in touch. Please send in your work to your keyworker or bcooper@countesthorpe. cc