Resources

Although knowledge of historical context is not required to gain marks in GCSE or IGCSE English Literature exams, understanding the social and political climate that shaped An Inspector Calls can give you a deeper appreciation of Priestley’s message and help you write with greater insight and confidence.

J.B. Priestley’s An Inspector Calls may be set in Edwardian England, but its structure, characterisation, and message borrow heavily from an older dramatic tradition, the morality play. In this article, we’ll explore what defines a morality play and how Priestley adapts this classic form to challenge a 20th-century audience.

Practising with past exam questions is one of the most effective ways to prepare for your English Literature exam. However, to make revision even more efficient, learning and practising writing essays based on themes offers even great opportunity to perfect your essay writing technique.

Students preparing for GCSE and IGCSE English Literature must be confident in using key quotations effectively. These ten quotes have been selected for their gravitas, relevance, and flexibility. They can be used across a range of essay questions and are supported by clear analysis and exam strategy tips.

Writing an essay on An Inspector Calls can feel daunting at first. Whether you’re preparing for GCSE English Literature or Edexcel IGCSE Paper 2, a clear paragraph structure is essential for building strong, focused responses. One of the best methods to use when starting out is the PEEL structure. This tried-and-tested format helps you stay […]

Understanding how J.B. Priestley uses language, form and structure in An Inspector Calls is essential for achieving top marks in your IGCSE English Literature exam. These elements are central to AO2 – the exam assessment objective that focuses on the writer’s methods and how they shape meaning.

Inspector Goole is one of the most unusual and compelling figures in An Inspector Calls. He appears without warning, shifts the mood of the play instantly, and directs the action from the moment he arrives. His investigation into the death of Eva Smith becomes a moral interrogation, uncovering not just facts but failures of empathy, […]

Whether you’re revising for your Edexcel IGCSE or another English Literature exam board, knowing the characters in An Inspector Calls — and understanding how Priestley uses them — is key to hitting the assessment objectives. Most essay questions will ask you to write about a character, a theme, or both. To do this well, you […]

An Inspector Calls is often described as a detective drama, but at its core, it’s a powerful piece of political theatre. Written by J.B. Priestley in 1945 and set just before the First World War, the play examines class, responsibility, and social change through a carefully structured sequence of revelations. Understanding the plot — not […]