Talks | ONLINE
Fresh ideas for teaching An Inspector Calls in context, drawing on the British Library’s rich Discovering Literature website.
About this event
Join curator Polly Russell, author Rachel Edwards and teacher-author Fe Brewer to explore the historical, political and social contexts of J.B. Priestley’s best-known work, An Inspector Calls.
Polly Russell (Lead Curator for the British Library’s powerful and evocative 2021 exhibition ‘Unfinished Business’, which explored the politics and history of fights for women’s rights in the UK) will consider the role of women and the development of women’s rights from the setting of the play in 1912 to 1945, the year the play was written.
Rachel Edwards will discuss how authors can use literature to critique society and affect social change, with reference to her acclaimed debut, Darling. Whilst An Inspector Calls explores the exploitation of the working-class in a capitalist society, Darling is a story of jealousy and obsession that highlights the plight of people of colour in an increasingly divided Britain.
Fe Brewer will explore and share ready-to-teach classroom ideas, using rich non-fiction sources from the British Library’s Discovering Literature website.
Following the event, delegates will receive a digital resource pack, created by Fe Brewer, featuring practical teaching ideas for a range of Discovering Literature collection items.
Image: Programme for An Inspector Calls, 1946: © The Old Vic Theatre.
