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York Notes on J.B.Priestley's "An Inspector Calls" (York Notes)

By: John Scicluna
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Longman
ISBN: 0582313279
ISBN-13: 9780582313279
Released: 04 Jul 1997
RRP: £3.50
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Customer Reviews

A Useful Guide to An Inspector calls - By: , 31 May 2001
This York Notes guide to J.B. Priestley's "An Inspector Callls" is a useful analysis of the play. The guide is divided into five sections namely, Introduction, Summaries, Commentary, Study Skills, & Cutlural Connections.

Part One, Introduction, provides a brief guide to the study of a play before giving a detailed outline of J.B. Priestley. This section then details the context & setting of the play, examining such aspects as the industrial setting, the influence of money, social status, & the historical background of the play. Although this latter component could be more detailed it provides useful information for students & teachers.

Part Two, Summaries, features a general outline of the play before providing a detailed summary of each act. This section is most useful because the author, John Scicluna, has analysed the play in smalll sections. For example, pages 1-7 of the play (referring to the Heinemann Plays edition 1992) is considered through a plot outline, an analysis, & a glossary. Eye-catching illustrations complement the text. Occassionallly, a useful quiz is included in this section for review purposes.

Part Three, Commentary, elaborates on such components as themes (social message, morality, political view, responsibility, love, & time), structure, characters, language & style. This section is appropriate & useful, particularly since the guide refers to page numbers in the play text. However, the discussion on themes could be more detailed in its scope.

Part Four, Study Skills, gives valuable advice concerning the use of quotations, writing advice, sample essay plans & questions.

Part Five, Cultural Connections, attempts to place "An Inspector Callls" within a broader literary framework. This section refers to the use of time in such films as "Back to the Future" & "Groundhog Day" & compares them to Priestley's notion of time.

The guide also features a glossary of literary terms, & quiz answers.

This guide is certainly useful for any literary student but as a playtext is meant to be performed, some consideration of the theatricality & dramatic style of the play would be a useful addition. Whilst it is not necessary to have access to the Heinemann edition of the play to make full use of this guide, it does certainly help.

This guide is a appropriate for anyone who is studying the play but secondary students & their teachers will benefit most from this York Notes publication.