AN INSPECTOR CALLS JB PRIESTLEY FINAL REVISION AND

AN INSPECTOR CALLS JB PRIESTLEY FINAL REVISION AND PREPARATION FOR THE GCSE EXAM

THE EXAM • 1 hour 30 minutes long- 45 minutes for each section • Answer 1 question from section A and 1 from section B. • Section A is for ‘AIC’ and you have the choice of 2 questions…you can choose which one but make sure it is the one that you feel confident about. • 1 question with be based on a theme and 1 question will be based on a character. • You get 34 marks in total – 30 for content and 4 for SPAG.

EXAMPLE QUESTIONS – JANUARY 2013 In Act 2 of An Inspector Calls, Sheila says to her mother, Mrs Birling, “But we really must stop these silly pretences”. How does Priestley show, in his presentation of Mrs Birling, that she often pretends to be something she is not? OR How important do you think social class is in An Inspector Calls and how does Priestley present ideas about social class?

EXAMPLE QUESTIONS – JUNE 2013 Remind yourself of the ending of the play from ‘The telephone rings sharply. . ’ to ‘. . . the curtain falls’. How do you respond to this as an ending to An Inspector Calls and how does Priestley make you respond as you do by the ways he writes? OR In the opening stage directions, Priestley refers to Eric as ‘not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive’. How does Priestley present these and other ideas about Eric in An Inspector Calls?

EXAMPLE QUESTION -JUNE 2014 How does Priestley present ideas about gender in ‘Ann Inspector Calls’? OR What do you think is the importance of Eva Smith in ‘An Inspector Calls’ and how does Priestley present her?

EXAMPLE QUESTIONS – JUNE 2015 Arthur Birling describes himself as ‘a hard-headed, practical man of business’. How does Priestley present this and other views of Arthur Birling in An Inspector Calls? OR How does Priestley present ideas about inequality in An Inspector Calls?

Tell me in less that 50 words, what the play is about…

Who is J. B. Priestley? What do you know about him?

J. B. PRIESTLEY • Born 1984, Bradford. • Was in the army during WW 1 – he was wounded and effected by the gas and withdrew from active service. • After the war he went to Cambridge and did a degree in Modern History and Political Science. • After University he worked as a journalist and a theatre critic.

LINKS BETWEEN J. B. PRIESTLEY AND AIC • He lived through the time period the play is set. • He fought in the war that the Inspector predicts. “Fire and blood anguish”. Priestley saw these sufferings first hand wanted to avoid further wars. • He was always interesting in historical events and politics. • His play represents the conflicting views on Capitalism and Socialism.

What is the social background/context of the play?

POLITICS IN THE PLAY? Capitalism Socialism Profit is the priority Production, distribution and trade should be publicly owned for the Survival of the fittest good of the community as Private businesses control a whole trade and industry Everyone has a collective Represented in Priestley’s responsibility time by the Conservatives We should all look after “Right Wing” each other Represented in Priestley’s time by the Labour party “Left Wing” Sees life as a competition

What is the social background/context of the play?

SOCIAL AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT • Written in 1946 but set in 1912 – written just after WW 2 and set just before WW 1. • By setting the play in the past Priestley can use DRAMATIC IRONY – the audience knows what has happened but the characters in the play do not. • Early 20 th Century: – Saw the start of a move away from an elite few controlling everything to society being more equal. – An increase in the number of strikes – Women were becoming more demanding of equality - suffragettes became militant during this time. – After the time the play is set there was an economic depression – not helped by the cost of war. – WW 1 – 1914 to 1918 – WW 1 is used in AIC to show that mankind needs to change. Mr Birling’s comments make him look foolish to the audience. The reference to war may also remind the audience what happens when people stop caring for each other and instead seek personal power. – Titanic sank on the 14 th or 15 th April 1912. – 1940 – Winston Churchill becomes Prime Minister. – 1945 – a socialist Government comes to power.

CAPITALISM • Mr Birling represents a capitalist society. • Capitalism is an economic system that is based on the private ownership of industry. • Problems with capitalism: – Leads to the few exploiting the many – Those who have the money have the power to stop others from sharing their wealth – No social mobility – The richer get richer and the poorer get poorer

SOCIALISM • Socialism is the belief that as a society, we have to look after one another. • Under socialism the rich are responsible for looking after the poor. • Taxation is sometimes higher in a socialist state so that the Welfare State can be paid for ( e. g. NHS, schools, unemployment benefit). • Socialists do not want a class system

1912 VS 1946 • 1912 – Country is still benefitting from new technology – Still very Victorian society – Rigid class system – Conservative politics and government (individual responsibility) • 1945 – 2 World Wars had taken place – Class system was less rigid – Women could now vote – Politics were more socialist (collective responsibility)

PLOT SUMMARY – ACT 1 • The Birling family (Arthur, Sybil, Sheila and Eric) and Gerald Croft, are having a meal to celebrate the engagement of Sheila and Gerald. • Arthur Birling makes a toast. In it, he informs the younger members of the family that their future looks bright and that it is important to look after themselves. Priestley makes use of dramatic irony to undermine Arthur Birling – Birling says there won’t be a war and talks about the success of the Titanic. • Just as Mr. Birling says, “a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own”, the doorbell rings. Shortly after, the maid shows Inspector Goole into the room. • The Inspector explains that a young woman has died after drinking bleach. He questions Mr. Birling, who admits to having her sacked after she was involved in a strike at the factory. The Inspector then questions Sheila, who admits to having the girl sacked from Milwards because she was jealous that the girl looked better in the dress she liked than she did.

PLOT SUMMARY – ACT 2 • The Inspector’s attention falls on Gerald. When questioned, he admits that he knew the girl. After meeting her at the Palace Music Hall in Brumley, Gerald set her up in the flat of a friend and they became lovers. After a happy period, it came to an end and Eva / Daisy left Brumley and went to the seaside. After the questioning, Gerald goes for a walk. • The Inspector questions Mrs. Birling next. She admits that the girl came to her charitable organisation and asked for help, as she was pregnant and could not ask the father for money. Mrs. Birling believes the girl is putting on graces and is offended that she uses the name “Mrs. Birling”. She therefore persuades the other members of the charity to refuse her request. Mrs. Birling is defiant and refuses to accept she did anything wrong. She tells the Inspector that the father of the child is to blame and it is the Inspector’s “duty” to arrest him. • Instead of leaving as Mrs. Birling hoped, the Inspector waits to “do his duty. ”

PLOT SUMMARY- ACT 3 • Eric returns to the house and into the firing line. He knows that his secret is already out but does explain what happened – he had an affair with the girl and she fell pregnant. He offered to marry her but she declined, knowing that he didn’t love her. Eric gave her money to begin with, which he stole from his father’s business. When she realised the money was stolen, she refused to take any more. • The Birling family appear to have learnt their lesson and seem sorry for what they have done. The Inspector tells them that we all have to look after each other and that there are plenty of other people in the world like Eva Smith. He then leaves. • Shortly after, Gerald Croft returns from his walk. He brings into doubt the identity of the Inspector (having spoken to a policeman who has never heard of him) and even explains that it is possible that Eva Smith never existed.

PLOT SUMMARY – ACT 3 CONT. • Quickly convinced by Gerald’s arguments, Mr. and Mrs. Birling decide that it was a joke and laugh the whole thing off. They have not really learnt anything. • Eric and Sheila are not so easily swayed. They argue with their parents that this doesn’t change anything – they are still responsible for the terrible things they did. • The telephone rings – it is for Mr. Birling. A young woman has just died at the infirmary and a police inspector is on his way to the house. • The play ends on this bombshell.

WHO ARE THE MAIN CHARACTERS? ? ?

ARTHUR BIRLING • What does his first line tell us about his character? “Giving us the Port, Edna? That’s right”. How do you think this would be spoken? • What do you think of Arthur Birling so far and why? You can refer to the words below, however you must justify your opinions. Traditional Selfish Rich Snotty Overbearin g

MR BIRLING 1. Birling is arrogant 2. Birling is insecure 3. Birling is selfish 4. Birling only cares about appearances, not reality 5. Birling cares about social status 6. Birling is used to getting his own way 7. Birling cares more about his business than his family 8. Birling’s attitude is unchanged by the events of the play

SYBIL BIRLING • What do we notice about the role of Sheila in the play? Is she more or less important that her husband? • Do you think she is a good mother from what we have read so far? Explain why • Snobby and stubborn and at times prudish (doesn’t like slang!) • Yawn!! (she isn’t a very exciting character!) • Believes she is always right (she doesn’t change her opinion for anyone!) and BORING! • Ignorant – She is set in her own ways and class, and doesn’t believe a girl can have “fine feelings” (completely disinterested in anyone that is not within her class) • Lifeless and uncaring – She dismisses Eva/Daisy as just another girl “of that class” or Loyal ( to Mr. B)

SYBIL BIRLING 1. Mrs Birling is arrogant 2. Mrs Birling is selfish 3. Mrs Birling feels that she has married beneath her social status 4. Mrs Birling is not a good mother 5. Mrs Birling’s charity work is conducted for selfish reasons 6. Mrs Birling’s attitude is unchanged by the events of the play

SHEILA BIRLING • Sheila is an example of a “perfect daughter” brought up in the Twentieth Century (within her social class- completely spoilt!) • Discuss from our initial impressions what type of person we think Sheila is… Lively? Happy? Unselfish? A good daughter? • Sheila felt threatened by a younger, prettier girl when she went shopping in Milwards. What does this tell us about her character? Spoilt Honest (once she realises the effect her actions have had on Eva/Daisy Emotional (capable of feelings and is true to them, unlike the other characters) Instinctive (She sees what the inspector is trying to do, and understands his point) Lively Able to change

SHEILA BIRLING 1. Sheila is a perceptive young woman 2. Sheila is the first to see the truth 3. Sheila learns from the Inspector’s visit 4. Sheila will behave differently in future 5. Sheila and Eric’s relationship is strengthened by the Inspector’s visit 6. How is Sheila and Gerald’s relationship affected by the Inspector's visit?

ERIC Sheila refers to him as “poor Eric”. His dad still sees him as a “boy”. • He is like the ‘Black Sheep’ of the family (They don’t know their son as well as they think!) • Priestley uses the stage directions not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive to describe Eric. What could this tell us about his character? • He is a heavy drinker. What could be the reasons for this? • Do you think Eric is a good character so far? • …. . Later in in the Play we see that Eric represents two types of characters: Victim and Villain (Can you predict why!? ) He got Eva/Daisy pregnant In Act 3, Mrs. Birling reveals “I am ashamed of you” to Eric.

ERIC BIRLING 1. Eric’s heavy drinking is obvious from the start of the play 2. Eric tries his best to make amends for his behaviour 3. Eric learns from the Inspector’s visit 4. Eric will behave differently in future 5. What was Eric’s attitude to Eva Smith?

GERALD • The son that Mr. Birling never had! (and he makes this obvious!) • He is to marry Sheila • He is wealthy, handsome and an ‘Idealistic’ match for Sheila • A younger version of Mr. Birling (What inspector Goole is trying to get rid of!). This represents that something needs to change in society else attitudes of snobbery and traditionalism will continue to be passed down the generation. • Dishonest! • Hypocrite! ( The inspector asks Gerald: “You think young women ought to be protected against unpleasant and disturbing things? ” and Gerald replies “yes”, however…. . It was Gerald who did an unpleasant thing to women like Eva/Daisy! • Had a personal relationship with Eva/Daisy- Why do we think he actually cared for her? Could this change our opinion of him?

EVA SMITH/ DAISY RENTON She was…. Pretty A Victim Depressed Working class • Who was she? Do we know? Could she just be a representative of all working class women who are victims of society? • Although we never meet her ( because we are told by the inspector that she committed suicide), she is an important character because she is used as a device to try and change the Birlings. The inspector says: “There are millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left” and their chances of happiness are “entwined with our lives”. What does this say about the role of the Birling family, or the upper class families? • “Big dark eyes”, “Soft brown hair” , “Fresh and charming” What do these descriptions make you feel about her character? Did she deserve • She only became a prostitute because Mr. Birling sacked her everything from the factory and Sheila got her fired from Milwards for that looking at her n a funny way. This was her last resort. happened • She wasn’t a vindictive character like some of the others! to her? Therefore the Inspector seeks revenge for her

INSPECTOR GOOLE Mysterious Moral • Goole- Ghouls ? Is there any link here? - Mysterious! • He has a natural authority throughout the play. How do you think he achieves this? - Tone of voice? - Language? - Body language? • He has authority, telling Eric to “wait his turn” (He is not afraid of the Birlings) • He asks personal questions and demands answers ( They are not use to this!) • He uses emotive language (tries to make them feel sorry and guilty for Eva’s suicide) - “Pretty and lively” who died in “misery and agony” (about Eva/Daisy) - “Alone, friendless, almost penniless, desperate” (about Eva/Daisy) • He challenges, questions, demands and makes an impact. What do you think he represents? Discuss!! Right! Aggressive

WHAT COULD ‘AN INSPECTOR CALLS’ SAY ABOUT THE ROLES OF MEN AND WOMEN AT THE START OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY? WOMEN • Naïve • Traditional (Gerald and Arthur) • Have a more important voice than women • Leaders • Occupied with business and work • Different rules (Gerald and Arthur allowed to sleep around before marriage) • Silly • Not that important • Marry into money • Conform to stereotypes ( Act how society sees them to do so – go shopping, marry, cry and act hysterical)

ADDITIONAL CHARACTER INFORMATION • ON THE NEXT FEW SLIDES IS SOME MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EACH CHARACTER FOR YOU TO USE AS YOUR REVSION.

MR BIRLING • Prosperous factory owner, not the social equal of his wife. He is 'a self made man' • First priority is to make money 'It's my duty to keep labour costs down' • Welcomes Croft into his family as he represents a business link between his firm and that of Gerald Croft's father (a rival) • Has an honest approach to life, he tells the Inspector that he wouldn't listen to Eva Smith's demand for a wage rise 'I refused, of course' and is surprised why anyone should question why. • Strongly believes that 'a man has to make his own way'. He does not consider the harm he may cause to other people because of his attitude. He is a 'hard headed business man ' • He is a magistrate and former mayor who is looking forward to receiving a knighthood

MR BIRLING CONTINUED • He is very aware that Gerald's mother is rather against her son's marriage because she believes him to be marrying beneath him socially • He is optimistic about the future, yet we know that what he predicts will not become true (NB dramatic irony) • He refuses to accept any responsibility for Eva 's death. He becomes increasing annoyed by the Inspector's questioning and Eric's unsympathetic attitude • He tries to threaten the Inspector by talking about his friendship with the Chief Constable • The most disturbing part of the play for Birling is the scene in which he learns that his own son is shown to be a thief, a drunkard and is responsible for fathering a child. When he learns of all this he exclaims 'You damned fool - why didn't you come to me when you found yourself in this mess? ' • Eric's reply indicates that Mr Birling was never close to his son 'Because you're not the kind of chap a man could turn to when he's in trouble'. Such a response indicates that things aren't going to improve much after the play ends

MR BIRLING CONTINUED • He represents a very unattractive sort of person. At the end of the play he grudgingly wishes things were better but even here he still thinks in terms of money 'Look, Inspector - I'd give thousands' • He continues to ignore the shameful things that his family has done. When it appears that the Inspector might be a hoaxer he is happy to believe that everything is as it was a few hours ago. He copies the Inspector and laughs when he remembers the faces of Eric and Sheila and accuses them of being 'the famous younger generation who know it all'. This is an example of pride coming before a fall, a moment later of course he is panicking as the phone rings again • Mr Birling represents Priestley's hatred of businessmen who are only interested in making money. He will never alter his ways and it is left to the younger generation to learn from their

SHEILA BIRLING • At the start of the play she is 'very pleased with life'. She is young, attractive and has just become engaged • Her happiness is soon to be destroyed as is her faith in her family • Her response to the tragedy is one of the few encouraging things to come out of the play. She is genuinely upset when she hears of Eva's death and learns from her own behaviour • She is very distressed by the girl's suicide and thinks that her father's behaviour was unacceptable. She readily agrees that she behaved very badly and insists that she never meant the girl any harm. • The Inspector says that she is only partly responsible and later on, when he is about to question Gerald, he encourages her to stay and listen to what he has to say so that she doesn't feel entirely responsible • Not only is she prepared to admit her faults, she also appears keen

SHEILA BIRLING CONTINUED • She is aware of the mystery surrounding the Inspector, yet realises that there is no point in trying to hide the facts from him • She is mature about the breaking up of her engagement and remains calm. She won't be rushed into accepting the ring back once the Inspector has left • She is unable to accept her parents attitude and is both amazed and concerned that they haven't learned anything from the episode. Although the Inspector might be a hoax, the family have still behaved in an entirely unsuitable manner • She learns of her responsibilities to others less fortunate than herself (the idea of the community) and is sensitive. Her readiness to learn from experience is in great contrast to her parents

MRS BIRLING • She is described at the start as "about fifty, a rather cold woman and her husband's social superior. " • She is a snob, very aware of the differences between social classes. She is irritated when Mr Birling makes the social gaffe of praising the cook in front of Gerald and later is very dismissive of Eva, saying "Girls of that class. " • She has the least respect for the Inspector of all the characters. She tries - unsuccessfully - to intimidate him and force him to leave, then lies to him when she claims that she does not recognise the photograph that he shows her. • She sees Sheila and Eric still as "children" and speaks patronisingly to them.

MRS BIRLING CONTINUED • She tries to deny things that she doesn't want to believe: Eric's drinking, Gerald's affair with Eva, and the fact that a working class girl would refuse money even if it was stolen, claiming "She was giving herself ridiculous airs. " • She admits she was "prejudiced" against the girl who applied to her committee for help and saw it as her "duty" to refuse to help her. Her narrow sense of morality dictates that the father of a child should be responsible for its welfare, regardless of circumstances. • At the end of the play, she has had to come to terms that her son is a heavy drinker who got a girl pregnant and stole money to support her, her daughter will not marry a good social 'catch' and that her own reputation within the town will be sullied. Yet, like her husband, she refuses to believe that she did anything wrong and doesn't accept responsibility for her part in Eva's

ERIC BIRLING • He is described at the start as "in his early twenties, not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive. " • Eric seems embarrassed and awkward right from the start. The fist mention of him in the script is "Eric suddenly guffaws", and then he is unable to explain his laughter, as if he is nervous about something. (It is not until the final act that we realise this must be because of his having stolen some money. ) There is another awkward moment when Gerald, Birling and Eric are chatting about women's love of clothes before the Inspector arrives. Do you feel that there is tension in Eric's relationship with his father? • It soon becomes clear to us (although it takes his parents longer) that he is a hardened drinker. Gerald admits, "I have gathered that he does drink pretty hard. " • When he hears how his father sacked Eva Smith, he supports the worker's cause, like Sheila. "Why shouldn't they try for higher wages? "

ERIC BIRLING CONTINUED • He feels guilt and frustration with himself over his relationship with the girl. He cries, "Oh - my God! - how stupid it all is!" as he tells his story. He is horrified that his thoughtless actions had such consequences. • He had some innate sense of responsibility, though, because although he got a woman pregnant, he was concerned enough to give her money. He was obviously less worried about stealing (or 'borrowing' from his father's office) than he was about the girl's future. So, was Eric, initially, the most socially aware member of the Birling family? • He is appalled by his parents' inability to admit their own responsibility. He tells them forcefully, "I'm ashamed of you. " When Birling tries to threaten him in Act III, Eric is aggressive in return: "I don't give a damn now. " Do you think Eric has ever stood up to his father in this way before? • At the end of the play, like Sheila, he is fully aware of his social responsibility. He is not interested in his parents' efforts to cover everything up: as far as he is concerned, the important thing is that a girl is dead. "We did her in all right. "

GERALD CROFT • He is described as "an attractive chap about thirty, rather too manly to be a dandy but very much the easy well-bred manabout-town. " • He is an aristocrat - the son of Lord and Lady Croft. We realise that they are not over-impressed by Gerald's engagement to Sheila because they declined the invitation to the dinner. • He is not as willing as Sheila to admit his part in the girl's death to the Inspector and initially pretends that he never knew her. Is he a bit like Mr Birling, wanting to protect his own interests? • He did have some genuine feeling for Daisy Renton, however: he is very moved when he hears of her death. He tells Inspector Goole that he arranged for her to live in his friend's flat "because I was sorry for her"; she became his mistress because "She was young and pretty and warm-hearted - and intensely grateful. "

GERALD CROFT CONTINUED • Despite this, in Act 3 he tries to come up with as much evidence as possible to prove that the Inspector is a fake - because that would get him off the hook. It is Gerald who confirms that the local force has no officer by the name of Goole, he who realises it may not have been the same girl and he who finds out from the infirmary that there has not been a suicide case in months. He seems to throw his energies into protecting himself rather than changing himself (unlike Sheila). • At the end of the play, he has not changed. He has not gained a new sense of social responsibility, which is why Sheila (who has) is unsure whether to take back the engagement ring.

INSPECTOR GOOLE • He is described on his entrance as creating "an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness. He is a man in his fifties, dressed in a plain darkish suit. He speaks carefully, weightily, and has a disconcerting habit of looking hard at the person he addresses before actually speaking. " • He works very systematically; he likes to deal with "one person and one line of enquiry at a time. " His method is to confront a suspect with a piece of information and then make them talk - or, as Sheila puts it, "he's giving us the rope - so that we'll hang ourselves. " • He is a figure of authority. He deals with each member of the family very firmly and several times we see him "massively taking charge as disputes erupt between them. " He is not impressed when he hears about Mr Birling's influential friends and he cuts through Mrs Birling's obstructiveness.

INSPECTOR GOOLE CONTINUED • He seems to know and understand an extraordinary amount: He knows the history of Eva Smith and the Birlings' involvement in it, even though she died only hours ago. Sheila tells Gerald, "Of course he knows. " - He knows things are going to happen - He says "I'm waiting. . . To do my duty" just before Eric's return, as if he expected Eric to reappear at exactly that moment - He is obviously in a great hurry towards the end of the play: he stresses "I haven't much time. " Does he know that the real inspector is shortly going to arrive? • His final speech is like a sermon or a politician's. He leaves the family with the message "We are responsible for each other" and warns them of the "fire and blood anguish" that will result if they do not pay attention to what he has taught them.

INSPECTOR GOOLE CONTINUED • All this mystery suggests that the Inspector is not a 'real' person. So, what is he? – Is he a ghost? – Goole reminds us of 'ghoul'. – Is he the voice of Priestley? – Is he the voice of God? – Is he the voice of all our consciences? – Do you have any other suggestions? • Remember that one of the things the examiner is looking for is your personal response, so be prepared to state an opinion.

EVA SMITH • Of course, we never see Eva Smith on stage in the play: we only have the evidence that the Inspector and the Birlings give us. • The Inspector, Sheila Gerald and Eric all say that she was "pretty. " Gerald describes her as "very pretty - soft brown hair and big dark eyes. " • Her parents were dead. • She came from outside Brumley: Mr Birling speaks of her being "country-bred. " • She was working class.

EVA SMITH CONTINUED • The Inspector says that she had kept a sort of diary, which helped him piece together the last two years of her life: • However, in Act 3 we begin to wonder whether Eva ever really existed. - Gerald says, "We've no proof it was the same photograph and therefore no proof it was the same girl. " Birling adds, "There wasn't the slightest proof that this Daisy Renton really was Eva Smith. " Yet the final phone call, announcing that a police inspector is shortly to arrive at the Birlings' house to investigate the suicide of a young girl, makes us realise that maybe Eva Smith did exist after all. What do you think? • Think about Eva's name. Eva is similar to Eve, the first woman created by God in the Bible. Smith is the most common English surname. So, Eva Smith could represent every woman of her class.

WHAT ARE THEMES OF THE PLAY?

THE GENERATION GAP The Younger Generation The Older Generation • In the play, the younger generation (Eric and Sheila) show that they are capable of change. The express sympathy for the strikers in Act 1 and they also show greater sympathy for Eva Smith. Through the play, they are honest about their actions and refuse to go back on what they have learnt. • In the play, the older generation (Mr. & Mrs. Birling) seem incapable of real change. They are set in their ways and see Sheila and Eric as “foolish” “children”. • Sheila and Eric’s ability to change means that Priestley can end the play with an element of hope. It is possible that the next generation can make society better. Without this, the play would end hopelessly, with the characters co • Priestley uses Mr. & Mrs. Birling to represent old-fashioned ideas. He discredits them, abd what they represent, by making them look foolish and by catching them out at the end. • They have little sympathy for Eva Smith and are only sorry that she has died because it could impact on their lives.

RESPONSIBILITY • Responsibility is arguably the most important theme in the play. The words ‘responsible’ and ‘responsibility’ appear a considerable number of times. • At the beginning of the play, Mr. Birling gives his interpretation of ‘responsibility’ in his speech. Towards the end of the play, the Inspector gives his alternative interpretation. • These speeches reflect the opposing viewpoints in the play: • Individual responsibility vs. collective responsibility • Conservatism vs. Socialism • Think about how Priestley makes it clear that he supports one view and opposes the other.

RESPONSIBILITY When thinking about this theme, consider: • Personal responsibility – each character is forced to consider to what extent they are responsible for Eva’s death; • Towards the end of the play the Inspector tells the family that they can divide responsibility amongst themselves after he has left; • The different generations respond differently to the Inspector’s visit – who really takes responsibility for their actions? • Mrs. Birling is part of a Charitable Organisation – is this because she wants to take responsibility or because it makes her look good? • Eric tries to take responsibility for Eva and the baby but does it by stealing; • The characters’ failure to fully take responsibility leads to the second telephone call – would the telephone have rung if they’d learnt from their mistakes? • Who else is supposed to learn to take responsibility?

FAMILY At the beginning of the play, Gerald thinks the Birlings are “a nice well behaved family”, but…Gerald and the audience soon learn that there are murky secrets lurking behind their polite, well polished behaviour. • In 1912, family members were expected to know their role and to be content with their position. The parents are in charge, the children are obedient and unquestioning. • Gender roles were well defined for the wealthy and middle class: – Men worked to support their families and they were to protect their wives and daughters. – Women were to marry into money so that they didn’t have to work and they planned parties, visited friends and had children. • The Birlings want everyone to think they are the perfect family. • The gender roles are shown when the women depart the scene to let the men talk. • Mrs Birling always correct her families social mistakes. • Sheila teases her brother about his behaviour last summer.

FAMILY • The hierarchy shown at the start of the play is destroyed by the Inspectors arrival. • The children can think for themselves without their parents influence: – Sheila doesn’t know if she will marry Gerald anymore, she wants time to decide for herself. – Eric says his mother doesn’t “understand anything” and that Birling is not “the kind of father a chap could go to for help”. The family is ultimately a mess. Sheila and Eric refuse to behave the way they used to: they don’t want to pretend anymore. The parents have lost their authority over the children. The family is tied together by lies. There is hatred, envy, theft, prostitutes and even the responsibility for the death of your own grand-child.

SOCIAL CLASS Social class is very important in the play. Class influences the Birlings behaviour and makes them treat people differently. **Remember…Priestly did not agree with the class system *** Priestley designed the characters to put across his message. Class plays a central part in the plot. Working class – Eva Smith / Daisy Middle Class – The Birlings Upper Class - Gerald The characters represent the classes – Priestly challenges their views and behaviour in order to challenge the class hierarchy

SOCIAL CLASS • The class system made life hard for those lower down – Eva couldn’t get help for herself when she was in trouble. • Priestley shows how the upper classes have a limited sense of responsibility. • When Mrs Birling says she does not recognise Eva it is because to her she has no identity – she does not exist because she is lower class. • Priestly suggests that the higher classes didn’t question the class system as it worked for them – this is also why they don’t recognise Eric’s drinking and womanising – they don’t want to know. • THE INSPECTOR TELLS THE BIRLINGS THAT THEY HAVE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR EVERYONE OR IT’LL END IN “FIRE”, “BLOOD” AND “ANGUISH”.

SOCIAL CLASS • The Birlings are only worried about class: – Birling is worried that Eva’s death will cause a public scandal. – Birling thinks his position of authority makes him more important. He has been Lord Mayor and is now a magistrate who dishes out judgements on people – IRONIC AS HE HIMSELF HAS ACTED SO IMMORALLY. – Birling uses Gerald to promote his social class. – Mrs Birling is a member of the Women’s Charity Organisation – they are meant to help desperate women but she is only concerned with social status. Priestley thought class should not matter – he uses the play to reveal the unfairness of the class system. He uses the Birlings to show all that is wrong with the ruling classes. The pay shows how Priestly saw society – he uses the Birlings to represent all the middle classes. Priestley saw the working class as victims of the class system – Eva’s story is unique but the miseries she suffered were common – EVA SMITH COULD HAVE BEEN ANYONE.

SOCIAL CLASS • Eva – should have low moral as she is working class but she refuses to accept stolen money even though she is desperate. • Eric and Sheila – they change by the end of the play and turn against their own class. Priestley uses them to say that it doesn’t matter what class you are from, you can break out and choose to act differently. • The Inspector does not fit into the class system – he wants everyone to be treated equally.

JUDGEMENT Priestley leaves the end of the play a mystery – it leaves the audience to figure out what has happened and who to judge. Morality Plays: • Morality plays were religious plays written in the Late Middle Ages. They tried to teach people how to behave and were warnings to the audience. • AIC follows this idea – it points out everyone's sins and then tries to get them to confess and repent. The Inspector: • He is there to teach the Birlings a lesson but who learns from it: – Gerald, Arthur and Sybil all decide it is a hoax. They are relieved that the Inspector is a fraud and they think they have been let off the hook. – Sheila and Eric waver when they find out there was no suicide. But. . . they have learnt an important lesson - that even if there wasn’t a tragic end to their story, there could have been. Sheila and Eric hold true to their moral instincts however the others react selfishly and never take responsibility for their actions.

WHO IS INSPECTOR GOOLE?

WHO IS THE INSPECTOR? ? ? 1. Match the evidence and the point together. 2. Sort the pairs of cards into categories according to what they show about the Inspector. The categories are up to you!

SO…WHO IS HE? ? ? • He is J. B. Priestley (teaching us a lesson) • He’s God / an Angel / the Devil • He’s the voice of conscience • He’s the child Eva Smith was pregnant with, come back as a ghost • He’s a dream or group hallucination • He’s a time traveller from the future • He’s a real police inspector • Other possibilities?

WHO IS INSPECTOR GOOLE? ? ? • ‘Inspector’ suggests someone who ‘inspects’ things – to look closely at…Priestley’s stage directions tell us that the lighting becomes ‘brighter and harder’ on his arrival – a spot light on the family for his investigation perhaps? • The name sounds like ‘ghoul’ which makes him enigmatic (mysterious). Is he from another world? A spokesman for the dead girl come to plead her case? • His physical description – ‘an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness’ – nothing distracts him from his purpose of discovering the truth. His ‘solidity’ is necessary if he is to be a match for the Birlings. He appears incorruptible, calm, determined. He speaks ‘weightily’- this is a man who is serious about his mission.

WHO IS INSPECTOR GOOLE? ? ? • The mood of the play changes as soon as he arrives by becoming more sombre. He is not drawn into ‘friendly’ chatter with Mr Birling. • He reveals everyone’s secrets – has an uncanny knowledge of what each character had done and when they have done it. • He asks probing questions which lead them to confess. As Sheila says, “somehow he makes you”. He makes the Birlings and Gerald face up to what they have done and take responsibility for their part in the “chain of events”. • The Inspector controls everything: he decides who will speak and when; who will be allowed to leave and who should stay; who sees the photograph etc.

WHO IS INSPECTOR GOOLE? ? ? • He is omniscient (all knowing), mysterious and powerful but compassionate to those who admit their responsibility, “if you’re easy with me then I’m easy with you”. • He is no ordinary policeman. He is concerned with moral truth – what is right or wrong – rather than what is legal or illegal. He often speaks like a judge or a prophet: “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 anguish” and is the voice of social conscience: “Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges”. • He has several functions in the play: story teller (filling in background histories)/father confessor (hearing each character’s confessions and getting them to repent).

WHAT ROLE DOES THE INSPECTOR PLAY AS A DRAMATIC DEVICE? • How does the Inspector: – Move the story forward? (contributing to the play’s dramatic structure) – Create dramatic tension? (contributing to moments of dramatic intensity or tension on stage) – Present Priestley’s central themes? (contributing to the play’s dramatic message) – Engage the audience? (contributing to the play’s dramatic effectiveness)

WHAT ROLE DOES THE INSPECTOR PLAY AS A DRAMATIC DEVICE? • Qualities of the character: – Impressive – Purposeful – Methodical – Unflappable • Who the character is: • Staging: – Lighting changes when he arrives • Language used: – The Inspector’s speeches increasingly show his emotions – Possible supernatural qualities? – He moves from factual speeches (and dry humour) to anger and frustration – Not a genuine police inspector – His final speech is impressive and shocking – Seems to know the future

WHAT DRAMATIC DEVICES ARE USED IN THE PLAY?

DRAMATIC DEVICES USED BY PRIESTLEY • One set for the whole play – makes the atmosphere of the play seem claustrophobic and intense – like a pressure cooker. – It also emphasises the Birlings’ private and self-centred lifestyle and highlights the unwelcome arrival of the Inspector from the outside. • Warning signs from the very beginning – the family falls apart as their secrets are revealed. At the start you see the signs of problems. – Sheila “half joking” with Gerald shows she is not convinced he is telling her the truth. – Eric acting half drunk shows the audience that something is not quite right.

DRAMATIC DEVICES USED BY PRIESTLEY • The way the play looks can say a lot about its message – – The lighting is “pink and intimate” at the start as if the Birlings are looking at the World through rose tinted glasses. Later it becomes “brighter” and “harder” when the Inspector arrives – as it a spotlight has been put upon them.

DRAMATIC DEVICES USED BY PRIESTLEY • Priestley paces the action to build tension and create conflict – The audience would expect Act 2 to start with Gerald’s confession but it doesn’t. Priestley delays the action by shifting the audiences attention to Sybil and Sheila. This builds tension and increases the audiences curiosity. – The Inspector releases information bit by bit – builds tension. He shows them the photo one by one and positions it so that the other characters cannot see it. – The family all start seated but by the end they are standing, crying and shouting. It is a dramatic but slow change in how the stage looks and sounds. • Entrances and Exits are very important – An exit could signal a character escaping someone or something – Sheila wants to leave the intense atmosphere when she thinks she was the reason Eva was sacked. – The Inspector leaves Gerald and Sheila alone so that he can draw information out of them. – The front door BANGS every time someone leaves or enters – this causes

DRAMATIC DEVICES USED BY PRIESTLEY • The beginnings and ends of acts are a dramatic moment in themselves – Priestley freezes the action between scenes to create tension. – Act 1 ends with the Inspector asking “well? ” – Act 2 opens with the same moment. The audience would have wondered about this question during the break. – Act 2 ends in a cliff-hanger: the front door slams to show Eric is back but they have to wait for Act 3 to hear his confession.

LANGUAGE USED IN THE PLAY The words a character uses says a lot about their mood and their social class. The Birlings: • “chaps” “jingo” they use the language of their social class. • Slang was popular with the younger generation but not with the older generation – “squiffy” Sybil is shocked when Sheila says this. The Inspector: • He doesn’t mess about, he speaks his mind. • He uses plain and direct language so that there cannot be any confusion. • He also uses silence – he stares at a person before he speaks to them. • The Birlings find him offensive because of his manner and language. Sheila: • At the start of the play she uses childish and simple language e. g. “daddy” and “mummy”. • By the end of the play her language is more confident and assertive – she uses plain language just like the Inspector. • She directly disagrees with her parents and tell them they were wrong to think that it was all a hoax.

HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTION

Arthur Birling says, ‘If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody we’d had anything to do with, it would be very awkward, wouldn’t it’? How does Priestley present ideas about responsibility in ‘An Inspector Calls’? In pairs, place the paragraphs in order and justify your reasons. How do you structure an essay? Focus particularly on the introduction and the conclusion.

INTRODUCTION

BREAK DOWN THE QUESTION How is the character of Sheila important in the play? The importance of Sheila How does she link to the play’s themes

INTRODUCTION AND CONCLUSION INTRODUCTION CONCLUSION • Give a clear answer to the question in 1 or 2 sentences. • Summarise your answer to the question. • Include some of the ideas about what you will include in your main paragraphs. • Give your opinion. • Make it clear and ensure it fits the question. e. g. Priestly uses dramatic irony in the play to show that the character of Birling is not as nice as he pretends to be and to add humour to the play. • Make your main point again. • You could develop your own opinion and highlight what you think is the most important point.

MAIN PARAGRAPHS Point linked to question Evidence which precisely selected Analysis of the quotation at word level Development of interpretations Evaluation of Priestley’s purpose and his intended effects on his audience Use short quotes to support your ideas: Sybil is socially “superior” to her husband, which is shown in her strict reinforcement of correct etiquette – she tells him off “reproachfully” for mentioning the servants in front of the more upper class Gerald. Use literary terms e. g. imagery, euphemism, dramatic irony.

CHOOSE 1 QUESTION AND IN PAIRS, PLAN OUT YOUR PARAGRAPHS. 1. How important do you think social class is in An Inspector Calls and how does Priestley present ideas about social class? 2. In the opening stage directions, Priestley refers to Eric as ‘not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive’. How does Priestley present these and other ideas about Eric in An Inspector Calls? 3. How does Priestley present ideas about gender in ‘Ann Inspector Calls’? 4. What do you think is the importance of Eva Smith in ‘An Inspector Calls’ and how does Priestley present her? 5. Arthur Birling describes himself as ‘a hard-headed, practical man of business’. How does Priestley present this and other views of Arthur Birling in An Inspector Calls? 6. How does Priestley present ideas about inequality in An Inspector Calls?

HOMEWORK Revise everything we have done today. Read the play again. Answer 2 of the questions from the last slide – spend 45 minutes per question.