Morality in ‘An Inspector Morality in ‘An Inspector Calls’Calls’

‘‘An Inspector Calls’ - QuestionsAn Inspector Calls’ - Questions

Write a list of characters; next to Write a list of characters; next to their names, summarise their roles in their names, summarise their roles in Eva’s death. Eva’s death.

Why do you think the Inspector Why do you think the Inspector wanted the family to know of the wanted the family to know of the parts they played in the death of Eva parts they played in the death of Eva Smith?Smith?

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

to define the term ‘morality play’to define the term ‘morality play’ To describe how ‘An Inspector Calls’ To describe how ‘An Inspector Calls’

fits into this tradition.fits into this tradition.

Morality PlaysMorality Plays

Miracle, Mystery and Morality plays Miracle, Mystery and Morality plays performed in Middle Agesperformed in Middle Ages Miracle plays: depicted miracles of the saints Miracle plays: depicted miracles of the saints Mystery plays: scenes from the Bible Mystery plays: scenes from the Bible

performed by the craft guilds (mysteries)performed by the craft guilds (mysteries) Morality plays: a type of allegory depicting Morality plays: a type of allegory depicting

good vs evil.good vs evil. The great morality plays were written in The great morality plays were written in

the 15the 15thth century. century. ’’An Inspector Calls’ follows the tradition of An Inspector Calls’ follows the tradition of

the Morality Play.the Morality Play.

Features of Morality PlaysFeatures of Morality Plays

Morality plays are allegorical.Morality plays are allegorical. Protagonist represents humanity or a smaller Protagonist represents humanity or a smaller

section of it.section of it. Supporting characters are personifications of Supporting characters are personifications of

good and evil.good and evil. Characters may specifically represent virtues Characters may specifically represent virtues

and vices (for example, the seven deadly sins).and vices (for example, the seven deadly sins). Characters might include ‘Ignorance’, Characters might include ‘Ignorance’,

‘Humility’, ‘Covetousness’, ‘Riots’, as well as ‘Humility’, ‘Covetousness’, ‘Riots’, as well as the deadly sins. the deadly sins.

‘‘An Inspector Calls’An Inspector Calls’ as a Morality as a Morality PlayPlay

J. B. Priestley wishes to convey a J. B. Priestley wishes to convey a moral message to his audience.moral message to his audience.

‘‘An Inspector Calls’ is also allegorical.An Inspector Calls’ is also allegorical. The Inspector possibly represents The Inspector possibly represents

humanity, or part of it.humanity, or part of it. “Birling perhaps representing avarice,

Mrs Birling pride, Sheila envy and anger, Croft lust, and Eric lust, gluttony and sloth.” (Benedict Nightingale, 1982)

Thinking about MoralityThinking about Morality

1.1. Which area of humanity do you Which area of humanity do you think the Inspector represents?think the Inspector represents?

2.2. What moral message is Priestley What moral message is Priestley trying to convey to us?trying to convey to us?

3.3. Which characters have seen the Which characters have seen the light by the end of the play and light by the end of the play and changed their ways? Why do you changed their ways? Why do you think Priestley chose these two for think Priestley chose these two for this role?this role?