Handout
Mr Birling’s Speeches Group Activity
The connection questions contained in this activity support students in analysing Mr Birling's key speeches, and thus enable them to better understand Priestley's portrayal of his character.
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Developing Character Inferences
Students are introduced to the concept of inferencing; they draw inferences from the opening scene of the play, and consider what messages Priestley sends through the language, character and setting.
Differing Perspectives and Conflict
Students begin Act Two of the play, reflecting on the differences in perception emerging between the characters and considering how conflict can arise from such differences.
Entering the World of the Play
Students begin reading the play, having applied what they have learnt about Priestley and the relevant sociohistorical context to make predictions about its content.
Eric's Decisions and Consent
Students consider the role power plays in the interactions between characters, focusing on the relationship between Eric and Eva, before discussing consent.
Exploring Social Inequality
Students explore social inequality in the UK, discussing how an individual’s background can impact their opportunities before examining graphs that display social inequality and employment trends.
Exploring Where I'm From
Students prepare for reading the play by considering the relationship between the individual and society, and by reflecting on identity. After discussing a poem about identity, they write their own.
Inspecting Inspector Goole
Students create an identity chart for Inspector Goole, analyse his parting words, and look for clues to uncover who or what Inspector Goole is.
Priestley's World and the World of the Play
Students learn about important events that occurred during Priestley’s lifetime, completing a human timeline to understand their chronology, and are introduced to the concepts of socialism and capitalism.
Putting the Characters on Trial
Students finish reading the play and participate in a court trial to decide which character is the most responsible for the death of Eva Smith.
Recurring Themes in the Play
Students prepare to write an essay on theme by identifying and analysing the themes explored in the play.
Social Systems and Individual Agency
Students identify the parts, people, and interactions of various social systems, thinking about what bearing they have on character choices and behaviour, before considering responses to injustice.
Using the strategies from Facing History is almost like an awakening.
—
Claudia Bautista, Santa Monica, Calif
