english literature: paper 2 ‘an inspector calls’ stoke ... · 3 plot summary act one • the...
TRANSCRIPT
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EnglishLiterature:Paper2
‘AnInspectorCalls’
StokeNewingtonSchoolRevisionBooklet
Name:………………………………………..
Teacher:…………………………………….
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Contents
• Plotsummary
• Keyinformationoncharacters
• Context
• Themes
• Keyquotations
• Sampleessayquestions
• Revisiongrid
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PlotSummaryActOne
• TheBirlingfamilyandGeraldCroftarecelebratingSheila’sengagementtoGerald• Althoughthereareafewsignsthatnoteverythingisperfect(MrBirlingistooanxioustoimpressGerald,Eric
seemsnervousandSheilamentionsthatGeralddidnotcomenearhertheprevioussummer)thereisahappy,light-heartedatmosphere.
• MrBirlingmakesarrogantspeeches,tellingtheothercharactershisviewsonscience,theTitanicandtherelationshipbetweenbossesandworkers,sayingthataman‘hastomindhisownbusinessandlookafterhimself’
• Hisspeechisinterruptedbythearrivalofapoliceinspector,namedGoole.InspectorGooleisinvestigatingthesuicideofayoungwomannamedEvaSmith
• TheInspectorshowsMrBirlingaphotographofEvaSmith.MrBirlingadmitsheemployedherinhisfactorybutsackedherfordemandinghigherwages.
• SheilaisshownthephotographandrealisesthatshehadEvaSmithsackedfromhernextjobasashopassistant,becauseshethoughtEvaSmithlaughedather.
• TheInspectorrevealsthatEvaSmithchangedhernametoDaisyRenton.Gerald’sreactionmakesitobviousthathealsoknewthegirl.
• TheInspectorsuggeststhatmanypeopleshareresponsibilityforthemiserywhichpromptedEvaSmith/DaisyRentontoendherlife.
ActTwo
• GeraldadmitshemetDaisyRentoninthespringofthepreviousyearandthatshewashismistress.• Sheilaishurtandangry,yetshepraisesGeraldforatleastbeinghonest.• MrsBirlingtriestobullytheInspectorandcontrolevents.• WhileEricisoutoftheroom,MrsBirlingisforcedtoadmitthatEva/Daisyaskedforthehelpofhercharity,
butthatMrsBirlingrefusedtohelpher.ShewasoffendedbecauseEvaSmithcalledherself‘MrsBirling’• Itisrevealedthatthegirlwaspregnant.MrsBirlinglaystheblameforthegirl’sdeathonthefatherofthe
unbornchild.• Atthismoment,Ericenterstheroomagain.
ActThree
• EricconfessesthathegotEvaSmithpregnantandthathestolemoneyfromhisfather’sfirmtosupporther.• EriclearnsthathismotherhadrefusedtohelpEvaSmith.HeblameshismotherforEva’sdeath.• TheBirlingfamilybegintoaccuseoneanotherangrily.Thefamilyatmospherehaschangedcompletelyfrom
thepolitesceneatthestartoftheplay.• TheInspectortakeschargeandmakesadramaticspeechabouttheimportanceofsocialresponsibility.He
leaves.• GeraldandMrBirlingbegintosuspecttheInspector.Theygraduallyprovethatthemanwhocalledon
themwasnotarealpoliceinspector.• AtelephonecalltotheInfirmary(hospital)revealsthattherehasbeennorecentsuicide.• EricandSheilastillfeelguilty,buttheothersnowshrugoffguild.• MrBirlinganswersthetelephone:ayoungwomanhasjustdiedandaninspectorisonhiswaytomake
enquires.• Theplayendshere,leavingtheaudiencewonderingwhotheoriginalInspectorwasandwhyhistoryseems
toberepeatingitself…
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CharacterAnalysis:MrBirling
WhoisMrBirling?MrBirlingisasuccessfulbusinessman,whohasbeenLordMayorofBrumley.HeisthefatherofSheilaandEric.WhatdoesMrBirlingdo?• MrBirlinghoststhedinnertocelebrate
Sheila’sengagementtoGeraldCroft.• Heclaimsthataman’sresponsibilityisonly
tohimselfandhisfamily.• TwoyearsagohefiredEvaSmithfromhis
factory.• Heisonlyconcernedwithprotectinghis
reputationandavoidingascandal.
Structure
Opening:TheplayopenswithMrBirlingaskingfortheporttobepoured.BirlingistryingtoimpressGeraldbychoosingthesameportasGerald’sfatherlikes.PriestleyisusingtheportasasymboltorevealthatMrBirlingisamaterialisticcharacterwhocaresabouthisstatusandreputationaboveallelse.
TheInspector’sEntrance:JustbeforetheInspectorarrives,MrBirlingdismissessocialistviewsofcommunityas‘nonsense’andclaimsthataman‘hastomindhisownbusinessandlookafterhimself’.TheinterruptionofBirling’sspeechforeshadowsthattheInspectorwilldisruptthesearrogantviews.
Ending:Bytheendingoftheplay,MrBirlinghasnotchanged.HeisdelightedwhenhediscoverstheInspectorisafake,shownbytherepeatedstagedirection‘triumphantly’.PriestleyrevealsthatcapitalistslikeMrBirlingaretooselfishtochange.
MrBirlingtheCapitalist
MrBirlingisacapitalistwhovaluesbusinessandprofitaboveallelse.HemakeshisviewsclearintheearlyspeechesinAct1,andthesedonotchange.
Priestley’smessage
PriestleyusesMrBirlingasasymboltorepresenttheselfishnessandarroganceofcapitalistsinEdwardiansociety.PriestleywantedhisaudiencetodislikeMrBirlingandtoseehimasafool.ByrejectingtheattitudesheldbyMrBirling,Priestley’saudiencewouldleadamoreresponsible,socialistlife.
“Ispeakasahard-headedpracticalmanofbusiness”
“TheTitanicsailsnextweek…unsinkable,
absolutelyunsinkable”
“There’llbeapublicscandal”
“Look,Inspector–I’dgivethousands–yes,thousands”
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CharacterAnalysis:MrsBirling
WhoisMrsBirling?MrsBirlingisanimportantmemberoftheBrumleyWomen’sCharityOrganisation.SheisthemotherofSheilaandEric.WhatdoesMrsBirlingdo?• MrsBirlingtreatstheInspectorasan
inferior.• SheisdisgustedwhenshelearnsthatEva/
DaisywasGerald’smistress.• Shepersuadedthecharitynottohelpthe
pregnantgirl.• Sheblamesthegirls’deathonthefather
ofthechild–whoturnsouttobeherson.• Sheclaimsshewastheonlyonenotto
‘givein’totheInspector.
Structure
Opening:MrsBirlingshowshernarrow-mindednessfromherearlylines.WhenSheilaquestionswhereGeraldwasallsummer,MrsBirlingwarnsherthatmenhaveimportantworktodoandshouldn’tbequestioned.ShepraisesGeraldforhistimingofthepresentationofthering.
TheInspector’sEntrance:MrsBirlingisoffstagewhentheInspectorarrives,anddoesnotre-enteruntilActTwo.Atthispoint,sheenters‘self-confidently’andattemptstodismisstheInspector’sinvestigation,callingitan‘absurdbusiness’.Thisindicatesherarroganceandunwillingnesstolistenortochange.EvenafteradmittingthatshehasmetEva,MrsBiringreferstoheronlyasa‘girl’,notbyhername,asthoughEvaisnotworthyofbeingrecognisedasanindividual.MrsBirlingimpliesthatawomaninEva’spositionisnotcapableofthesamelevelofemotionormoralityassomebodyintheupperormiddleclass.
Ending:Bytheendoftheplay,MrsBirlinghasnotchanged.SheseemsthemostresistanttotheInspector’smessage.Priestleyshowsthatshehasalackofunderstandingofhowotherpeopleliveandthinksthatallclassesbehaveinacertainway.ThespeedatwhichsherecoversaftertheInspectorleavesreflectshercoldnessandlackofconscience.Herlastlineintheplayisapredictionthattheywillallbe‘amused’bytheInspector’svisitinthemorning–apredictionthatshowshowlittleshehasunderstood.
MrsBirlingthesnobMrsBirlingisacapitalistandasnobwhovaluessocialclassaboveallelse.Sheisanignorantcharacter,whodoesn’tthinkthereareanyproblemsinherfamilyandstrugglestobelievethatEricdrinksheavilyorthathewasthefatherofEva’schild.
Priestley’smessagePriestleyusesMrsBirlingasasymboltorepresentthewealthier,privilegedclassesandtheirselfishattitudes.Sheseestheworkingclassasmorallyinferior.PriestleywantedhisaudiencetodespiseMrsBirlingandtheignorantsocialsnobberysherepresents.
AboutEva:“Agirlofthatsort”
AboutGerald’saffair:“It’sdisgustingtome.”
“Goandlookforthefatherofthechild.It’shisresponsibility.”
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CharacterAnalysis:SheilaBirling
WhoisSheilaBirling?SheilaisthedaughterofMrandMrsBirlingandatthestartoftheplayisengagedtoGeraldCroft.WhatdoesSheilado?• Sheilashowsrealemotionwhenshehears
thatayoungwomanhasdied.• ShewasresponsibleforgettingEvaSmith
firedfromherjobinthedressshop.• SherealisestheInspectorisimportantand
shouldnotbeignored/liedto.• AfterhearingaboutGerald’saffair,she
breaksoffherengagementwithhim.• SherevealsthatEricdrinkstoomuch.• Sheunderstandsthatthefamilyneedsto
takeresponsibilityforwhattheyhavedoneandtochangetheirtreatmentofworkingclasspeople.
Structure
Opening:Atthestartoftheplay,Sheilaisplayfulandself-centred,enjoyingtheattentionherengagementbrings.Sheisparticularlyexcitedabouttheengagementring,callingit‘wonderful!’.Atfirst,Sheilaseemssuperficialandmaterialisticliketherestofherfamily.
TheInspector’sEntrance:WhenSheilameetstheInspector,sheshowsasensitivesidetohernature.SherespondstoEvaSmithasaperson,notascheaplabour,andcriticisesherfather.WhensherealisesherjealousyandbadtempercausedEvatoloseherjob,sheisgenuinelysorry.
Ending:Bytheendoftheplay,SheilaBirlinghaschangedmorethananyothercharacter.SherefusestocontinuetheengagementwithGeraldbytheendoftheplay,eventhoughheclaims‘everything’sallrightnow’.SheunderstandstheimportanceoftheInspector’smessage,andevenechoeshiswords,‘fireandbloodandanguish’.Thesethingsallhelptomakeheramoresympatheticcharacter.
SheilathesocialistSheilashowsgenuineconcernforEvaSmithandunderstandstheInspector’smessage.Sheformsacontrasttohernarrow-minded,materialisticparents.
Priestley’smessagePriestleyusesSheila,alongwithEric,asasymboltorepresenttheyoungergenerationandsocialism.Sheilagivestheaudiencehopethattheirsocietycanimproveifpeopletakeresponsibilityfortheimpactoftheiractions.YoucouldalsoarguethatSheilacomestoreflectnewideasaboutgenderequality,connectedtothesuffragettemovementoftheperiod–shechallengestheoutdatedattitudesofherfather,motherandGeraldCroft.
“Thesegirlsaren’tcheaplabour–they’repeople.”
“(miserably)SoI’mreallyresponsible?”
ToMrsBirling:“Youmustn’ttrytobuildupakindofwallbetweenusandthatgirl.”
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CharacterAnalysis:EricBirling
WhoisEricBirling?EricisthesonofMrandMrsBirling.Heisemployedinhisfather’sbusiness,drinksmorethanisgoodforhimandisthefatherofEva’s/Daisy’schild.WhatdoesEricdo?• Ericdrinkstoomuchatthefamilydinner.• EricmetEva/DaisyinthebarofthePalace
Theatre.• EricforcedhiswayintoEva’s/Daisy’srooms
andmadeherpregnant.• Hestolemoneyfromhisfather’sfirmtogive
toEva/Daisy.• Heaccuseshismotherofkillingherown
unborngrandchild.• Heacceptshisguilt,whethertheInspectoris
arealpoliceofficerornot.
Structure
Opening:Atthestartoftheplay,Erichasclearlyhadtoomuchtodrink.Hisfirstactionisto‘guffaw’suddenly.Sheilathendescribeshimas‘squiffy’(drunk).ThispreparestheaudienceforwhatwelaterlearnabouthisdrunkenbehaviourwithEva/Daisy.However,Ericalreadyseemstobelessignorantthanhisfather,andattemptstochallengehispredictionsaboutthefuture,askinghimquestionslike‘Whataboutwar?’
TheInspector’sEntrance:EricrespondswithrealemotionwhenhearingofEva’sdeath,crying‘involuntarily’‘MyGod!’.Healsocriticiseshisfather’streatmentofEvaSmith,callingit‘toughluck’and‘adam’shame’.
Ending:Bytheendoftheplay,Eric,likehissisterSheila,becomesawareofhisownresponsibilities,realisingthathehasplayedapartinEvaSmith’sdeath.
EricthechangedmanEricwaspartofthe‘chainofevents’thatledtoEvaSmith’sdeath,byhavingaflingwithherandgettingherpregnant.Atthestartoftheplay,hewasjustliketheothers–abusinghispoweroveraworkingclassgirl.However,heacceptsresponsibilityandisashamedofhisbehaviour,sotheaudienceismorelikelytoforgivehim.
Priestley’smessageAtfirst,PriestleyusesEric’sactionstosymbolisehowcapitalistsabusetheirpowerovertheworkingclass(forexample,treatingEvaSmith‘asifshewereananimal,athing,notaperson’).YoucouldarguethatEric’srapeofEvaSmithrepresentshowcapitalistsfiguratively‘rape’thepoor.
However,Ericdoeschangeintheplay.Bytheend,Eric,likehissister,isusedbyPriestleyasasymboltorepresenttheyoungergenerationandsocialism.Ericgivestheaudiencehopethattheirsocietycanimproveifpeopletakeresponsibilityfortheimpactoftheiractions.
ToMrsBirling,onlearningthatsherefusedEva/Daisyhelp:“Youkilledher…andthechildshe’dhavehadtoo–mychild–yourowngrandchild–damn
you,damnyou”
AboutforcinghiswayintoEvaSmith’srooms:“Iinsisted…Iwasinthatstatewhenachapeasily
turnsnasty.”
ToMrBirling:“Whyshouldn’ttheytryfor
higherwages?”
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CharacterAnalysis:GeraldCroft
WhoisGeraldCroft?GeraldisthesonofawealthyindustrialistandbusinessrivalofMrBirling.Atthestartoftheplay,hehasjustbecomeengagedtoSheilaBirling.GeraldisslightlysociallysuperiortotheBirlings–heisupperclass/aristocratic.WhatdoesGeralddo?• GeraldgivesSheilaanengagementringatthe
startofthedinnerparty.• HeagreeswithMrBirlingaboutthewaya
businessshouldberun.• HehadanaffairwithEva/Daisyforsix
months,thenbrokeofftheirrelationship.• Attheendoftheplay,hefindsoutthata
policesergeanthasneverheardofInspectorGoole.
• HetelephonestheInfirmaryandlearnsthatnogirldiedthatday.
Structure
Opening:Attheopeningoftheplay,GeraldechoesmanyofMrBirling’sopinions,especiallyonmattersofbusiness.UnlikeEric,hedoesnotchallengeMrBirlingandinfactsupportshim.
TheInspector’sEntrance:WhentheInspectorbeginstoquestionMrBirling,Geraldshows‘annoyance’nottobeabletoseethephotographofEvaSmith.HesupportsMrBirling’sdecisiontosackEvaSmith.Initially,hetriestokeephisownrelationshipwithEvaSmithasecret.However,hedoesadmithisrelationshipandseemstoshowsomeconcernaboutwhathappenedtoher.
Ending:Bytheendoftheplay,Geralddoesnotseemtohavechangedverymuch.HislastactionistosuggesttoSheilathattheyshouldremainengaged,holdinguptheringandsaying,‘Everything’sallrightnow,Sheila.’ThissuggestthatGeraldismorelikeMrandMrsBirlingthanthesocialistsEricandSheila.
Geraldthearistocrat
Geraldisacomplexcharacter.Ontheonehand,youcouldarguethatGerald’sinteractionwithEva/Daisywasmotivatedbysympathyandthengenuineattraction.HeisatleasthonestwhendiscussinghisattachmenttoEva/Daisy.However,ontheotherhand,hediscardedEva/Daisywhenitsuitedhim.HeisalignedwithMrBirling,echoinghisviewsonbusinessandhisexcitementthattheInspectorisn’tarealpoliceofficer.Heletstheaudiencedown–wehopedthathewouldchangehisattitudes,buthedoesn’t.
Priestley’smessage
PriestleyusesGeraldasasymboltorepresenttheselfishattitudesoftheupperclass.ThefactthatGeralddoesn’tchangehisattitudesconveyshowingrainedthisattitudeswereinthearistocracy,andhowdifficultitwastochangethem.
“I’mrathermore–upset–bythisbusinessthanI
probablyappeartobe–”
AboutEva/Daisy:“Shewasyoungandprettyandwarm-hearted–and
intenselygrateful.”
“Thereisn’tanysuchinspector.We’ve
beenhad.”
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CharacterAnalysis:TheInspector
WhoisInspectorGoole?HeintroduceshimselfasInspectorGoole,apoliceofficerwhohascometoinvestigatethebackgroundofayoungwoman’ssuicide.WhatdoestheInspectordo?• TheInspectorinterruptstheBirling
familygathering.• Heestablishestheyeachdidsomething
cruelorunkindtothedeadgirl.• Hetakescontrolofthesituationand
refusestoacknowledgethatanyoftheothersissuperiortohimself.
• Heleavesthemaftermakingapassionatespeechaboutsocialjustice.
Structure
TheInspector’spowercomesfromhisuncannyabilitytocontrolthecharactersandeventsintheplay.LookcloselyatthestagedirectionsassociatedwiththeInspector:
• Thelightingbecomes‘brighterandharder’oncetheInspectorarrives,suggestingthattheInspectorwillputtheactionsoftheBirlingfamilyunderaharshlight.
• Hearrivesatacrucialtime–tointerruptMrBirling’sselfishviews.
• ThefirststagedirectionsabouttheInspectoremphasisehisauthority,describinghis‘impressionofmassiveness,solidityandpurposefulness’.
• TheadverbsassociatedwiththeInspectorareveryimportant:hespeaks‘carefully,weightily’,whichgiveshiswordsauthority;hecutsthroughtheBirlings‘massively’whichshowshispoweroverthemandhisrefusaltobeintimidatedbytheirsocialclass.
• TheInspectorcontrolswhoseesthephotograph,buildingupdramaasonlyonecharactergetstoseeitatatime.Hethereforecontrolsthestructureoftheplay–eachrevelationmovesthedramaonestepforward.
• Finally,theInspectorseemstooperateoutsideoftime–forexample,attheendofActTwo,hewaitsforErictoappear,looking‘athiswatch’beforethedramaticrevelationaboutEric’sroleinEva’slife.
Priestley’smessage
TheInspectorrepresentsPriestley’svoice–heconveysPriestley’sstrongsocialistviews.Hechallengesthecharacters,andthereforetheaudience,abouttheirtreatmentoftheworkingclass.YoucouldarguethatthefactthatheoperatesoutsideoftimegiveshimamoralorGodlypowerthatplaceshisviewsabovealloftheothersintheplay.
TheInspectoralsoheightensdrama–hisentrancesandexitsareallwell-timedinordertocreatemaximumtension.Thisalsoaddstothesenseofhisimportance–itisasifheiscontrollingthestructureofthedramaitself.
“Itwoulddousallabitofgoodifsometimeswetriedtoputourselvesintheplaceoftheseyoungwomencountingtheirpenniesintheirdingylittlebackbedrooms.”
“She’dswallowedalotofstrongdisinfectant.Burntherinsideout,ofcourse.Shewasingreatagony.”
“TherearemillionsandmillionsandmillionsofEvaSmithsandJohnSmiths.”
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CharacterAnalysis:EvaSmith/DaisyRenton
WhoisEvaSmith/DaisyRenton?ThesearethetwonamesbywhichthegirlwhosufferedatthehandsoftheBirlingfamilyandGeraldwasknown.Whathappenstoher?• MrBirlingsackedherfromhisfactoryforleadingastrikeforbetterpay.• Shewassackedfromadressshop,afterSheilaunjustlycomplainedabouther.• ShebecameGeraldCroft’smistress.• ShewasmadepregnantbyEricBirling.• Sheappliedtoacharityforhelp,butMrsBirlingrefusedthathelp.• Shecommittedsuicidebyswallowingdisinfectant.
EvaSmith–symboloftheworkingclass
EvaSmithremainsamystery.Sheneverappearsonstageandwedonotknowherrealname,buttheplayrevolvesaroundher.SheformsasharpcontrastwiththeBirlingfamily:sheworkedhard,supportedherfellowworkersandwaskind.HerhonestypreventedherfromconsideringmarriagetoEricandprotectedhimfromhisfoolishnessinstealingmoney.IncontrasttoMrsBirling’ssnobbishprejudiceabouther(‘asifagirlofthatsortwouldeverrefusemoney!’,EvaSmithwastoomoraltoacceptstolenmoneyfromEric.
Priestley’smessage
PriestleyusesEvaSmithasasymboltorepresenttheworkingclasswomen(andmen)whoareexploitedbycapitalistsliketheBirlingfamily.YoucouldarguethatPriestleyemphasiseshermoralityinordertochallengeanyprejudicestheBirlings,andtheaudience,mayholdaboutworkingclasswomenandmen.
TheInspector:“youngwomencountingtheirpenniesintheirdingylittlebackbedrooms.”
MrBirling:“She’dhadalottosay–fartoomuch–soshehad
togo.”
Sheila:“Ican’thelpthinkingaboutthisgirl–destroyingherself
sohorribly”
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ContextSettingof‘AnInspectorCalls’
‘AnInspectorCalls’issetinafictionalindustrialtownofBrumleyin1912.Priestleywrote‘AnInspectorCalls’in1944and,likemuchofhiswork,theplaycontainsstrongpoliticalmessages.Priestleydeliberatelyset‘AnInspectorCalls’in1912becausethaterarepresentedtheoppositeofwhatpeoplewerehopingforin1945.
Priestley’sPolitics
Priestleywasasocialist.Socialistsbelievethatcapitalists(suchasMrBirling)benefittherichoverthepoor.Socialismisbasedongivingpowerandrightstotheworkingclass(suchasEvaSmith,workinginthefactory).Socialistsstronglysupportunions,organisationsthatprotectworkers’rights.
Duringthe1930sPriestleybecameveryconcernedabouttheconsequencesofsocialinequalityinBritain,andin1942Priestleyandotherssetupanewpoliticalparty,theCommonWealthParty,whicharguedforpublicownershipofland,greaterdemocracy,andanew'morality'inpolitics.ThepartymergedwiththeLabourPartyin1945.PriestleywasinfluentialindevelopingtheideaoftheWelfareStatewhichbegantobeputintoplaceattheendofthewar.
By1945,socialismwasafreshandverypopularmovement.IntheUKgeneralelectionof1945,heldtwomonthsaftertheendoftheSecondWorldWarinEurope,theLabourPartybeatWinstonChurchill'sConservatives,winningamajorityofseatsforthefirsttimeinBritishelectionhistory.Priestley,alongwithnearly12millionotherBritons,votedforLabour.
KeyContextualIdeas
‘AnInspectorCalls’issetin1912,theEdwardianera.TheplayissetjustbeforetheTitanicsinks,andtwoyearsbeforethestartofWorldWarOne.Herearesomeofthekeycontextualideasoftheplay:
SocialPositionin1912:
Yourplaceinsocietywasfarmoreimportantin1912thanitistoday.IndustrialistslikeMrBirlingmadeenoughmoneytoriseupthesocialladder–butthiswealthwasnotsharedwiththeirworkerslikeEvaSmith.ArthurBirlinghasmadehismoneythroughbuildingupasuccessfulmanufacturingbusiness.MrsBirling’ssocialsnobberyandherdesireforstrictly‘correct’behavioursuggestthatshehascomefromasocially‘better’familybackgroundthanMrBirling.MrBirlinghasimprovedhissocialstatusbybecomingLordMayorandacceptingthedutiesofamagistrate.Hehopestoimprovehissocialstatusfurtherbybeingawardedaknighthood.MrBirlingisdelightedthatSheilaisengagedtoGeraldCroftatthestartoftheplay,becausethiswillimprovehissocialstatus.HisfocusonsocialpositionexplainswhyMrBirlingissoworriedaboutcreatinga‘publicscandal’thatmaydamagehisreputation.PriestleymakesMrBirling’sobsessionwithsocialpositionlookfoolishandimmoraltohis1945audience.
WorkersandBosses
Atthetimetheplayisset(1912),therightsofworkerslikeEvaSmithwerenottakentooseriouslybymanyemployers.Workersdidn’thavemuchjobsecurityandbeingfiredfromajobmeantyouhadnoreferences,makingitharderforyoutofindanotherjob.Therewasnounemploymentpayorbenefitssystemtohelpyouwhenyouwereoutofwork.ThisiswhylifebecomessodifficultforEvaSmithaftershe
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isfiredfromtwojobsbecauseofMrBirlingandSheila.WecanseehoweasyitwouldbeforhertohaveendeduptrappedbyAldermanMeggarty,GeraldandEric.BypresentingEva’sexperienceonstage,Priestleyshowsthe1945audiencehowimportantitisthatworkersareprotected.
Charities
AstherewassolittleprotectionforpeoplelikeEvaSmith,theywerereliantoncharitiesforhelp.WhenEvaSmithfindsherselfunemployed,pregnantandpenniless,acharityorganisationsuchas‘TheBrumleyWomen’sOrganisation’(runbyMrsBirling)wastheonlyplaceshecouldturnto.However,thisleftheratthemercyofwomenlikeMrsBirling,whowoulddecidewhethertohelpornot.Priestleywantedtoshowhis1945audiencehowunfairthissystemwas.Priestleywantedtocreatesupportforthe‘welfarestate’,introducedin1945,whichentailedthecreationoftheNHS,benefitsfortheunemployed,statepensionsetc.Itmeantthatthevulnerableinsocietywouldbeofferedsomeprotection.Priestleyusedtheplaytoshowhowvitalthiswas.
TroubledFuture
MrBirlingthinksthefuturelooksgood–heexplainstoSheilaandGeraldthat‘whenyoumarry,you’llbemarryingataverygoodtime.Yes,averygoodtime’.However,heiscompletelywrong.PriestleyisdeliberatelypresentingMrBirlingasfoolishtoa1945audience,whohaveexperiencedtwoworldwars,theGreatDepression,socialunrest,strikesandawideninggapbetweenrichandpoor.TheInspectorisaccuratewhenhepredictsthefuture,warningtheBirlingsofthe‘fireandbloodandanguish’thateveryonewillexperienceiftheydonotlearntotakeresponsibilityforoneanother.
TheRoleofWomen
Atthetimetheplaywasset,womenhadfewerrights.Theyweresubservienttomen.Rich,middleclasswomenwereexpectedtogetmarried.Poorwomenwereusedascheaplabour.ThedifferenceinthewayworkingclassandmiddleclasswomenweretreatedintheplaycanbeseenthroughthedifferentexperiencesofEvaSmithandSheilaBirling.EvawasobjectifiedbyAldermanMeggarty,GeraldandEric,andsufferedgreatly.However,SheilaandMrsBirlingareseenasdelicatecreatureswhoneedtobeprotectedfromtheharshrealitiesoftheworld(e.g.MrsBirlingwasprotectedfromtheknowledgethatmanyupperclassmenattendprostitutebarsandthathersondrankheavily).
However,thefightforgenderequalityhadbegunby1912withthesuffragettemovement.Astheplayprogresses,PriestleyshowsthatSheilabeginstofightforequality–refusingtogotobed,standinguptoherfather,refusingtheringGeraldoffers.Inthisway,the1945audiencemayhaverecognisedthatSheilarepresentedhopeforgenderequalityinthefuture.
Challenge:TimeTheories
Priestleywasinterestedintheoriesoftime.OneinfluenceonPriestleywasaRussianphilosopher,Ousepensky,whobelievedthattimecontinuedtorepeatitselfandthatindividualsmustlearntostoprepeatingthesamemistakes.‘AnInspectorCalls’isoneofPriestley’s‘timeplays’–playsthatareinterestedinhowtimeworks.YoucouldarguethattheInspectorcomesfromthefutureoraplaceoutsideoftimetooffertheBirlingsanopportunitytochange–anopportunitytheydon’ttake.Intheendtheyhavelearnednothingandsowillhavetogothroughitalloveragain.
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ThemesAnEqualSociety/Class
Inthisplay,Priestleypresentsuswithapowerfulsocialmessage.WeareshownthecomfortablehomeandrichwayoflifeoftheBirlingfamily(seetheopeningstagedirectionsforpropsthatrepresentthiswealth).ThisiscontrastedwiththedesperateaccountsofworkerstoincreasetheirpoorwagesandthedismallifethatEvaSmithisforcedtoliveasaresultoftheBirlings’actions.
TheInspectorchampionsthecauseofthepoorandtriestogetotherstoacceptthatallpeopleshareacommonhumanityandarepartofacommunity.TheInspectorisaspokespersonforthedisadvantagedandavoicefortheconsciencewhichtheBirlingsandGeraldseemtolack.
Responsibility
Manyofthecharactershaveanarrowviewofwhatitmeanstoberesponsible,buttheInspectorprovidesastrongermessageaboutsocialresponsibility.Eachfamilymemberhasadifferentattitudetowardsresponsibility–forexample,Birlingfeelshisresponsibilityissimplytomakeasuccessofhisbusiness.MakesureyouknowhoweachcharacterfeltabouttheirresponsibilitytowardsEvaSmith.
TheInspectorwantedeachmemberofthefamilyofEva’sdeath:hetellsthem‘eachofyouhelpedtokillher’.However,hisfinalspeechisaimednotonlyatthecharactersbutattheaudiencetoo.
Love
Theplaypresentsmanydifferentinterpretationsoflove.SheilaandGeraldappeartobeinloveatfirst–however,aftereachofthemhasconfessedtotheirshamefultreatmentofEva/Daisy,Sheilarealisesthattheydonotreallyknoweachotherandthattrustisanessentialpartofalovingrelationship.BothEricandGeraldsleepwithEva,butneitherofthemseemtoloveher–showinghowworkingclasswomenwerevulnerabletobeingexploitedbyrichermen.
MrBirling’sremarkabouttheengagementofhisdaughterbringingthetwofirmsintoacloserworkingrelationshiprevealssomethingabouthisattitudetowardsloveandmarriage.Heseesmarriageasawayofprogressingupthesocialandeconomicladder.Wewonderwhetherloveplayedanyrealpartinhismarriagetothesociallysuperior,butcold-hearted,SybilBirling.
Age
TheoldergenerationandtheyoungergenerationtaketheInspector’smessageindifferentways.WhileSheilaandEricaccepttheirpartinEva’sdeathandfeelhugeguilt,theirparentsdonotadmittheydidanythingwrong.
Theold,representedbyMrandMrsBirling,aresetintheirways.Theyareutterlyconfidentthattheyarerightandtheyseetheyoungasfoolish.Theywilldoanythingtoprotectthemselves:MrsBirlingliestotheInspectorwhenhefirstshowsherthephotograph;MrBirlingwantstocoverupapotentialscandal.MrandMrsBirling,withsomuchtolosefromapotentialsocialistrevolution,dismisstheInspector’swarningsandconvincethemselvesthattheyarenottoblame.Incontrast,theyoungergeneration,representedbySheilaandEric,haveembracedsocialismandrejectedcapitalism.Priestleyusestheyoungergenerationtorepresenthopeforchangetothe1945audience.Ultimately,theaudiencecanbeoptimisticthattheyoung–thosewhowillshapefuturesociety–areabletolearnfromtheInspector’ssocialistmessage.
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KeyQuotations
MrBirlingo Birlings’‘largesurburbanhouse’–contrastwithEva’s‘dingylittlebackbedroom’(describedbythe
Inspector)o Birling’sfirstline:‘Givingustheport,Edna?That’sright.’StructurallytheplayopenswithBirling’s
focusonconsumerism,hiswealthandattemptstoimpressGeraldCrofto Birling,celebratestheengagementofSheilaandGerald:‘It’soneofthehappiestnightsofmylife’(he’s
happythattheCroftandBirlingfirmsmayworktogetherinthefuture!)o “nobodywantswar”o “unsinkable,absolutelyunsinkable”(abouttheTitanic)o Describeshimselfrepeatedlyas‘ahard-headedpracticalmanofbusiness”o “amanhastomindhisownbusinessandlookafterhimselfandhisown-and-(doorbellrings)”o “It’smydutytokeeplabourcostsdown”o DescribesEva’sdeathasa‘horridbusiness’(usesthelanguageofbusinessratherthanunderstanding
thetruehorrorofEva’sdeath)o ‘Iwasquitejustified’insackingEvaSmitho Hismainconcernistoavoida“publicscandal”o WhenworriedhisfamilyisresponsibleforEva’sdeath:‘Look,Inspector-I’dgivethousands–yes,
thousands–’ThisrevealsBirling’shypocrisy–hehasmoneytospareforabribe,toavoidascandal,buthewon’tpayhisworkersapennymorethantheycurrentlyearn.
o AftertheInspectorleaves:‘Youallowedyourselftobebluffed.Yes–bluffed.’o AftertheInspectorleaves:repeatedlydescribedinthestagedirectionsasspeaking‘triumphantly’Sheilao Atthestartoftheplay,whenGeraldgivesherthering:‘Oh–it’swonderful!LookMummy–isn’tita
beauty?’o “Butthesegirlsaren’tcheaplabour-they’repeople”o WhenshehadEvaSmithfired,sheusesthepowershehasasagoodcustomerofthestore:“I’d
persuademothertocloseouraccountwiththem”o ‘(Miserably)SoI’mreallyresponsible?’o “I’llnever,neverdoitagaintoanybody.”o WhenshehearsaboutGerald’saffairwithEva:‘YouwerethewonderfulFairyPrince.Youmusthave
adoredit,Gerald.’o “Youmustn’ttrytobuildupakindofwallbetweenusandthatgirl.”Sheilausesthemetaphorofthe
‘wall’toshowthatsheunderstandsthatthereshouldbenoseparationbetweentheBirlingsandEva.Sherealisesthatclassdivisionsmustbetorndown.
o ToMrsBirling,whensheturnsEvaawayfromthecharity:‘Mother,Ithinkitwascruelandvile.’o WhenMrsBirlingisunknowinglyblamingherownson:‘(withsuddenalarm)Mother–stop–stop!’o SherepeatstheInspector’smessageandseemstolearnfromhimbytheendoftheplay:‘Fireand
bloodandanguish.Anditfrightensmethewayyoutalk,andIcan’tlistentoanymoreofit’Geraldo AboutEvaSmith:‘Shewasyoungandprettyandwarm-hearted–andintenselygrateful’o AboutEva:‘Iaskedherquestionsaboutherself.’o AboutEva/Daisy:‘IinsistedonDaisymovingintothoserooms…becauseIwassorryforher.’o Abouthisaffair,toMrsBirling,whenshecallsitdisgusting:‘Itwasn’tdisgusting.’o WhenaskedifhelovedEvaSmith/Daisy,‘Ididn’tfeelaboutherasshefeltaboutme.’o “I’mrathermoreupsetbythisbusinessthanIprobablyappeartobe”
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o TheInspectorisn’tasharshonhimasheisonMrandMrsBirling–henotesthatatleastGerald‘hadsomeaffectionforherandmadeherhappyforatime.’
o “Thereisn’tanysuchinspector.We’vebeenhad.”o Attheendoftheplay:“Everything’sallrightnowSheila.Whataboutthisring?”MrsBirlingo ToArthur,abouthiscommentsaboutthecook:‘Arthuryou’renotsupposedtosaysuchthings’o ToSheila,onherslang:‘Sheila!Whatanexpression!’o ToSheila,aboutGerald:‘NowSheiladon’tteasehim.Whenyou’remarriedyou’llrealisethatmenwith
importantworktodosometimeshavetospendnearlyalltheirtimeandenergyonbusiness.’o ToGerald,abouthisaffairwithEva:‘Idon’tthinkwewantanymoredetailsofthisdisgustingaffair.’o “Ididn’tlikehermanner”o AboutEric,whenSheilatellshimthatErichasbeendrinkingtoomuchforyears:‘(staggered)Itisn’t
true.Youknowhim,Gerald,o “Iacceptnoblame”o “agirlofthatsort”o WhenblamingthefatherofEva’sbaby(notrealisingit’sEric):‘heoughttobedealtwithveryseverely.’o ToSheila,whenshetriestointerrupt:‘(severely)You’rebehavinglikeanhystericalchildtonight.’Erico CriticiseshisfatherforfiringEvaSmith:‘Hecouldhavekeptheroninsteadofthrowingherout.’o BeforesleepingwithEva:“Iwasinthatstatewhenachapeasilyturnsnasty”o “Iwasn’tinlovewithheroranything”o ToMirBirling:“You’renotthekindoffatherachapcouldgoto”o “weallhelpedtokillher”TheInspectoro “animpressionofmassiveness”o “shewasingreatagony”o “she’dswallowedalotofstrongdisinfectant.Burntherinsideout,ofcourse.’o ‘nowork,nomoneycomingin,andlivinginlodgings,withnorelativestohelpher,lonely,halfstarved,
shewasfeelingdesperate’o “youngwomencountingtheirpenniesintheirdingylittlebackrooms’o “eachofyouhelpedtokillher”o “Publicmen,MrBirling,haveresponsibilitiesaswellasprivileges”o “MillionsandmillionsandmillionsofEvaSmithsandJohnSmiths”o “withtheirlives,theirhopesandfears,theirchanceofhappiness,allintertwinedwithourlives”o “weareresponsibleforeachother”o “willbetaughtitinfireandbloodandanguish”
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SampleEssayQuestions
HowandwhydoesSheilachangeinAnInspectorCalls?
WhatdoyouthinkistheimportanceoftheendinginAnInspectorCalls?
HowandwhyistheInspectorpresentedasadramaticandpowerfulfigureinAnInspectorCalls?
WhatdoyouthinkistheimportanceoftheopeninginAnInspectorCalls?
WhatdoyouthinkistheimportanceofGerald’scharacterinAnInspectorCalls?
HowdoesPriestleyexploretheideaofclassinAnInspectorCalls?
HowdoesPriestleyexplorethepositionofwomeninAnInspectorCalls?
WhatistheimportanceofEvaSmithinAnInspectorCalls?
HowdoesPriestleyexploretheimportanceofclassinAnInspectorCalls?
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RevisionGridFillinthegridbelowwiththreequotationsforeachcharacter,linkstothemesandanalysis.
Thefirstonehasbeendoneforyou.
Character Quotation Keythemes/ideas AnalysisofLanguage/Structure
MrBirling “hard-headed business man” * Mr Birling is proud of his capitalism * Links to his pride in his social position / financial success
The adjective ‘hard-headed’, with its harsh alliteration, emphasises that Mr Birling’s harsh attitude – suggesting he’s heartless as well as hard-headed. He repeats this description, which shows how pleased he is – but the audience dislikes him.
MrsBirling
SheliaBirling
EricBirling
GeraldCroft
Inspector