AN INSPECTOR CALLS

Structure:

• lighting changes from warn and friendly to harsh and less friendly
• characters aee literally under the spotlight - like an investigation
• pink lighting = intimate, cosy, optimistic
• white lighitng = seeking the truth
• the plays ending suggests the Birlin family will have to go through their interrogation again

Act one = Arthur, Sheila

Act two = Gerald, Sybil

Act three = Eric, then the inspector leave the house

What is the inspector?

• a real police officer
• someone who knew Eva
• an enemy of Mr Birling

• a ghost (goole-ghoul)
• God or devil
• a manifestation of each characters guilt or moral responsibility

physical `real` options

supernatural options

Birling is the antithesis of Goole (Priestleys beliefs)

Goole is a dramatic device used by Priestley to promote socialism.

• set in 1912
• written in 1945
• Arthur Birling = capitalist
• Inspector Goole = socialist (voice of Priestley)
• Gerald and Sheila were engaged
• upper class family
• Sybil married down the social ladder
• Sheila marrying up in the social ladder
• Eric is a "child"
• Upper class = Mrs Birling + Gerald Croft
• Middle class = Mr Birling + Inspector Goole
• Working class = Eva Smith
• never see Eva in the play which highlights the characters powerful influence / how the Birlings dont notice the lower working classes as the Birlings dont have to work for their money they have people working for them

Sybil:

• snobby
• traditional in role as wife
• proud of her status
• Arthurs "superior"
• strict standards
• doesnt change
• has her mind made up throughout

Arthur:

• self-important
• ignorant
• self-centred
• no empathy
• pleased with life
• ambitious capitalist
• no responsibility
• wants control
• powerful language
• anxious underneath

Eric:

• drunk
• …