An inspector Calls
- Created by: _ginger_
- Created on: 04-03-18 10:03
View mindmap
- An Inspector Calls - J.B Priestly
- characters
- Sheila
- ' That wont bring Eva smith back o life will it' a role model for the audience to change, fells guilt and responsibility
- 'Pleased with life and rather excited' . Comfortable sheltered life she has had, contrasts between her and Eva. Immaturity and childlike nature
- Why you fool- he knows-you'll see- he knows' repetition emphasies, foreshadows what will happen shows. She is perceptive
- 'So.. we'll hang ourselves' - she sees the error, encourages her family to change
- Birling
- 'I was an alderman - I was on the bench ... i was lord mayor' - hyphens show distress and worry Intimidated by the Inspector
- Audience instantly ridicules him
- Mrs Birling
- doesn't change end - 'In the morning they'll be as amused as we are ' - irony of events to come.
- 'rather cold women and her husbands social superior' - stage directions. immediate dislike from audience, authoritative nature
- 'I accept no blame'. - lack of social responsiblilty even when Erics son is revealed. Emphsies dislike
- 'That girl, girl in her position, girl of that sort' - portrays the problem. Girl' belittles Eva distances everyone away from her problems. Sense of vulnerability which gives worse impression
- Gerald
- Bridges the gap between young and old. Young with Birling's views
- end -'everything's all right now' - mirrors Mr Birling . Contrast of Sheila and Eric, lack of responsibility for tehir actions
- 'Proof' like they're on trial but they have already admitted it to the audience.
- Initially we think that he is respectable, 'the easy well-bred young man about town'. Summaries him and his attitude.
- Inspector
- Acts as a moral compass for the Birlings, conveys Priestly's views
- has the control over everyone, 'cutting through, massively'. Disregard for the social expectations and intimidates Mr Birling who seemingly had power.
- manipulates them, 'And you think women ought to be protected against unpleasant and disturbing things'?' - uses own works to shame the, sows audience fualts..
- 'Millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths' - perspective to the audience that they could be in this oosition, - priestly's intentions
- 'Fire, blood and anguish' - powerful warning to the audience of reprercussions of capatilist society - connotations of war (WW1+ww2) and worker strikes.
- Eva/Daisy
- used as a device to convey Priestly's attitudes
- 'Millions ans millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths' - highlights extent of the issue to the audience. manipulating them to want to change.
- 'That girl, girl in her position, girl of that sort' - portrays the problem. Girl' belittles Eva distances everyone away from her problems. Sense of vulnerability which gives worse impression
- Life controlled by middle/upper classes. Play explores misfortune, ' I went to the manager...'
- She now has power - controls their conscience and guilt.
- Eric
- beginning - 'not quite at ease - half shy, half assertive.' - most responsible and least responsible
- 'he was our police inspector alright' - does change and accept responsibility mirroing Sheila
- represent young
- 'thats the hellish thing..' --critique of himself and willing to accept responsibility. 'Hellish' strong imagery
- 'You're not that kind of father'. Feels sympathy for Eric lack of emotional support he ahs done. Doesnt excuse but audience see him
- Sheila
- Themes
- Young/old
- Young are the future, change the country more socialism. (Eric and Sheila)
- 'It doesnt change the fact we all helped to kill her' - Repetition of accepting responsibility. hope for a fairer equal society.
- Mainly focusing on the middle classes with hint to unchanging upper classes. Gerald; 'Everything's alright now' reflects Arthurs views yet he is young. Subtly critising them.
- Old -'In the morning they'll be as amused as we are' - once again ridicules them as they refuse to accept responsibility, audience can see what they have done. Foreshadowing.
- The young are aware of what happens, Older generation are ignorant. 'You don't mean Alderman Meggarty', 'Squiffy... no he isn't. ' Their awareness is what allows them to want to change.
- Class
- Eva represents the working class, powerless over their own lives - the Birlings had the power - victim of them
- Class doesn't affect someones behavoir or morals. Neither should it give them entitlement.
- Audience feels sympathy for the working class (Eva): 'Burnt her inside out... died in agony' as opposed to the middle class who caused this.
- Social Responsibility
- 'fire and blood and Anguish'- Warning to the audience of what will happen in a capatilist society without change They want to change, e.g, World wars and labour stikes.
- sheila's growing maturity If onlt i had known' 'We all helped to kill her' slowly grows and changes. VS Mrs Birlings cold nature ' She only has herself to blame' . Audiences favours Sheila and want to change.
- Family life
- 'I accept no blame, a girl in her position' - now family to Mrs Birling yet treated as if not. presents flaws in society - ironic as 'Eva' was carrying Eric's child
- begins with an image of comfort and assurance in life; 'pleased with life', 'war is inevitable... fiddlesticks'. 'Go on mummy'. Typical middle class family
- Inspector causes roles to change, 'You killed them both, damn you!' Challenging the opinions /authority of their parents.
- Birlings family life represents the society. Critisies the misuse of power, gender and age.
- 'You're not the kind of father a chap can got to when he's in trouble' - Birlings aren't as they seem, lack of support the children have had. .
- Gender
- Sheila's change represents the modern woman, ;'It frightens me the way you talk' .She has on opinion on it and is shaming her family.Similar to the inspector asking questions.
- beginning shows stereotypical views of women; 'Is it the one you wanted me to have?' lack of control and thought she has. She has no opinion.
- Power of the men is broken down; 'I was an alderman- I was on the he bench- ' the hyphens show how Birling feels intimidated by the inspector.
- Sheila turns down Gerald 'No. It's too soon, I need to think'. She now has the power in the relationship and is allowed to think. Eva confronted Birling, 'she had a lot to say - far too much- ', whereas now she has the power over Birling and what he has done.
- Young/old
- Context
- Audience - Wealthy middle/upper class capitalists
- Set in 1912
- vast disparities bettwen rich and poor, e.g. Birlings vs Eva
- before Titanic sank
- Written in 1945
- After 2 World Wars
- more interest in fairer society
- After labour strikes
- Sufragette movement
- characters
Similar English Literature resources:
Teacher recommended
Comments
No comments have yet been made