This GCSE English Literature quiz takes a look at themes in An Inspector Calls by JB Priestley.
Theme in a work of literature is shown through multiple means. Often a theme is like a thread linking together dialogue, setting, characters and plot. Sometimes the theme will appear as a topic which arises several times during a novel or play. Perhaps it will be an issue which causes argument and disagreement among the characters. Sometimes a theme will be only subtly suggested through choice of vocabulary, as a collection of related words used by a particular character or in the narration.
Although theme is expressed through the text, it is not contained there. Theme is also how the author communicates with the reader, asking the reader to think about his or her own ideas and beliefs.
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Readers engage with the text through reflecting on the themes, even subconsciously. If a text, or one of its characters, evokes an emotion, it is often through the author’s creation of psychological conflict in the exploration of a theme or themes.
An Inspector Calls deals with themes of class, social change, workers’ rights, responsibility, gender and generational differences. Each of the themes is interrelated, building a complex web of meaning in the play. For each character is defined by his or her class, attitude to society, belief (or not) in workers’ rights — and the ability to affect these, by gender and by age. Their differences appear in their conversations with each other and with the Inspector and also determine their openness to the truths about themselves and their behaviour exposed by his interrogation.
Read the questions below and test your knowledge of the themes of An Inspector Calls.
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1.
|
Eva Smith's death is caused by ... |
|
[ ] |
the attitudes and behaviours of wealthy people |
[ ] |
her precarious work situation |
[ ] |
the relative powerlessness of her gender |
[ ] |
all of the above |
|
|
2.
|
Mrs Birling's treatment of Eva Smith is expressive of which themes in the text? |
|
[ ] |
Gender |
[ ] |
Class |
[ ] |
Responsibility |
[ ] |
All of the above |
|
|
3.
|
Which of the following events is related to workers' rights? |
|
[ ] |
Gerald makes 'Daisy Renton' his mistress |
[ ] |
Eva is dismissed by Mr Birling |
[ ] |
Eva refuses Eric's money |
[ ] |
Gerald discovers that Inspector Goole is unknown to the police force |
|
|
4.
|
Why are Gerald and Eric both able to treat Eva Smith as disposable? |
|
[ ] |
Their wealth, social status and gender give them greater power over her |
[ ] |
The two men treat all women as disposable |
[ ] |
In early-twentieth-century Britain, there were no laws to protect female employees |
[ ] |
Both men loved Eva Smith and behaved responsibly towards her |
|
|
5.
|
Sheila's involvement in Eva's fate is NOT due to which of the following: |
|
[ ] |
Sheila's anger that a poor woman might dare to laugh at her |
[ ] |
The power Sheila holds through her family's wealth |
[ ] |
Eva's poor customer service skills |
[ ] |
The difference in social status between the two women |
|
|
6.
|
Eric Birling is a disappointment to his family. His drinking and disreputable behaviour invites his family to lecture him frequently on which of the following themes? |
|
[ ] |
Political activity |
[ ] |
Careless driving |
[ ] |
Religion |
[ ] |
Responsibility |
|
|
7.
|
What is suggested by the Inspector's statement, 'And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish'? |
|
[ ] |
Responsibility is a nice idea, but cannot be enforced |
[ ] |
Responsibility means facing the inevitable consequences of one's actions, in one form or another |
[ ] |
Responsibility means fighting for one's country |
[ ] |
Those who try to escape their responsibilities will be punished in prison |
|
|
8.
|
In the final act, Eric and Sheila are deeply dissatisfied with the willingness of their parents to continue with their lives as if nothing has changed. Their dissatisfaction is most closely related to which of the following themes? |
|
[ ] |
Class |
[ ] |
Differences between the generations |
[ ] |
Gender |
[ ] |
Workers' rights |
|
|
9.
|
Which of the following best demonstrates the relationship between wealth and class in the play? |
|
[ ] |
Marriages in the play are between people who are mismatched in class as well as wealth |
[ ] |
Eric is working class, but wealthy |
[ ] |
The maid, Edna, hopes to marry Gerald |
[ ] |
Eva Smith can only marry if she finds a wealthy, working-class man |
|
|
10.
|
How does Eva's gender contribute to her troubled life? |
|
[ ] |
No work was available to women |
[ ] |
A male worker could not be sacked for going on strike |
[ ] |
After the initial dismissals, Eva's gender leaves her vulnerable to men who seek out desperate women for sex |
[ ] |
Eva's gender makes no difference to the plot |
|
|
1.
|
Eva Smith's death is caused by ... |
|
[ ] |
the attitudes and behaviours of wealthy people |
[ ] |
her precarious work situation |
[ ] |
the relative powerlessness of her gender |
[x] |
all of the above |
|
|
2.
|
Mrs Birling's treatment of Eva Smith is expressive of which themes in the text? |
|
[ ] |
Gender |
[ ] |
Class |
[ ] |
Responsibility |
[x] |
All of the above |
|
|
3.
|
Which of the following events is related to workers' rights? |
|
[ ] |
Gerald makes 'Daisy Renton' his mistress |
[x] |
Eva is dismissed by Mr Birling |
[ ] |
Eva refuses Eric's money |
[ ] |
Gerald discovers that Inspector Goole is unknown to the police force |
|
|
4.
|
Why are Gerald and Eric both able to treat Eva Smith as disposable? |
|
[x] |
Their wealth, social status and gender give them greater power over her |
[ ] |
The two men treat all women as disposable |
[ ] |
In early-twentieth-century Britain, there were no laws to protect female employees |
[ ] |
Both men loved Eva Smith and behaved responsibly towards her |
|
|
5.
|
Sheila's involvement in Eva's fate is NOT due to which of the following: |
|
[ ] |
Sheila's anger that a poor woman might dare to laugh at her |
[ ] |
The power Sheila holds through her family's wealth |
[x] |
Eva's poor customer service skills |
[ ] |
The difference in social status between the two women |
|
|
6.
|
Eric Birling is a disappointment to his family. His drinking and disreputable behaviour invites his family to lecture him frequently on which of the following themes? |
|
[ ] |
Political activity |
[ ] |
Careless driving |
[ ] |
Religion |
[x] |
Responsibility |
|
|
7.
|
What is suggested by the Inspector's statement, 'And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish'? |
|
[ ] |
Responsibility is a nice idea, but cannot be enforced |
[x] |
Responsibility means facing the inevitable consequences of one's actions, in one form or another |
[ ] |
Responsibility means fighting for one's country |
[ ] |
Those who try to escape their responsibilities will be punished in prison |
|
|
8.
|
In the final act, Eric and Sheila are deeply dissatisfied with the willingness of their parents to continue with their lives as if nothing has changed. Their dissatisfaction is most closely related to which of the following themes? |
|
[ ] |
Class |
[x] |
Differences between the generations |
[ ] |
Gender |
[ ] |
Workers' rights |
|
|
9.
|
Which of the following best demonstrates the relationship between wealth and class in the play? |
|
[x] |
Marriages in the play are between people who are mismatched in class as well as wealth |
[ ] |
Eric is working class, but wealthy |
[ ] |
The maid, Edna, hopes to marry Gerald |
[ ] |
Eva Smith can only marry if she finds a wealthy, working-class man |
|
|
10.
|
How does Eva's gender contribute to her troubled life? |
|
[ ] |
No work was available to women |
[ ] |
A male worker could not be sacked for going on strike |
[x] |
After the initial dismissals, Eva's gender leaves her vulnerable to men who seek out desperate women for sex |
[ ] |
Eva's gender makes no difference to the plot |
|
|