GCSE 2025 predictions

The most likely question for 2025 is:
How does Priestley explore the consequences of selfishness in An Inspector Calls?
Write about:
- The selfishness of one or more characters.
- How Priestley presents the consequences of selfishness.
Why is this likely?
- It links directly to past questions on responsibility, inequality, and morality but offers a slightly different angle.
- Selfishness is a driving force in the play—Mr. Birling’s capitalist views, Sheila’s initial behavior, Gerald’s actions, and Eric’s irresponsibility all contribute to Eva Smith’s downfall.
- It allows for a broad range of responses, covering multiple characters while still focusing on Priestley’s core message.
- AQA loves thematic questions, and "selfishness" is a fresh way to approach existing ideas of social responsibility.

tysmm who would u recommend we talk abt in this kind of question?

Omg your welcome so
This one's all about selfishness and its consequences, so you'll want to pick characters who:
- Clearly act selfishly, and
- Whose actions directly impact Eva Smith or reveal Priestley’s critique of society.
Here’s who I’d recommend you focus on:
1. Mr. Birling
- Selfishness: Obsessed with profits and status. Fires Eva Smith for asking for a pay rise.
- Consequences: Shows no remorse. His selfish capitalist mindset represents the kind of thinking that leads to suffering for the working class.
- Priestley’s message: He symbolises selfish individualism—Priestley uses him to criticise capitalism and those who refuse to take social responsibility.
2. Sheila Birling (Early in the play)
- Selfishness: Gets Eva fired out of jealousy and vanity—misuses her power and privilege.
- Consequences: Starts a chain of events leading to Eva’s downfall.
- Priestley’s message: She represents the possibility of change. Priestley shows that acknowledging selfishness is the first step towards social awareness.
3. Gerald Croft
- Selfishness: Uses Eva/Daisy for his own pleasure and convenience. Even though he was kinder to her than others, he still discarded her when it no longer suited him.
- Consequences: Left Eva heartbroken and more vulnerable.
- Priestley’s message: Even those who appear “respectable” act selfishly. He critiques the upper class’s moral blindness.
4. Eric Birling
- Selfishness: Forces himself on Eva when drunk, steals money to support her.
- Consequences: Deepens Eva’s hardship. But he learns from his actions, showing potential for growth.
- Priestley’s message: Younger generation can change, but their selfish actions still have real, damaging consequences.
Optional Mention: Mrs. Birling
- Selfishness: Refuses to help Eva through her charity out of prejudice and pride.
- Consequences: One of the final blows to Eva’s hope.
- Priestley’s message: Highlights how those with power (especially older, upper-class women) can be just as harmful as men when blinded by arrogance.
The easiest character to talk about for this question is Mr. Birling.
Here's why:
- His selfishness is clear and consistent throughout the play.
- His actions directly affect Eva (firing her for asking for fair pay).
- He never changes, which makes him a straightforward example of what Priestley is criticising.
- You can easily link him to Priestley’s message about capitalism, social responsibility, and inequality.
- There’s lots of dramatic irony and technique you can mention (like how the audience knows he’s wrong from the start).
If you want a second easy one to pair with him: Sheila—because you can show how someone selfish can change, which contrasts nicely with Mr. Birling.

What about edexcel? Selfishness was used for the 2024 paper I believe.

What about edexcel? Selfishness was used for the 2024 paper I believe.