Inspector Calls themes

Question 1

Family life

Answer 1

The Birling family live up to expectations of typical middle class families

Question 2

Social class

Answer 2

Class drives the plot and shapes the characters
The Birlings think that class is all that matters
Priestley thought that class should not matter

Question 3

Generational difference

Answer 3

The older generation are old fashioned
The younger generation adopt the ideas of the Inspector
Gerald is the exception to this

Question 4

Men and Women

Answer 4

The characters start as gender stereotypes
The young women challenge stereotypes
Stereotypes are turned upside down at the end of the play

Question 5

Judgement

Answer 5

The style is an old morality play
There is something odd about the Inspector

Question 6

Learning about life

Answer 6

Some people never learn
Others try to change
Ignorance is bliss

Question 7

Social responsibility

Answer 7

The characters views are challenged
It is the main focus of the Inspector
The play reveals Priestley’s socialist ideas