Fill-in-the-Gaps Mr Birling: ‘_________, rather _________ man in his middle fifties’ ‘fairly _______ ________, but rather ________ in his speech.’ To Eric: ‘you’ve _ ___ __ _____ ___’ ‘they’ll be _____ and ________ and rapid ________.’   Mrs. Birling: ‘a rather ____ ______’ ‘husband’s _____ _________’ Sheila: ‘______ ____…very pleased with life and rather ________.’ ‘m_____’ ‘d_____’ Eric: ‘not quite at ____, half ___, half ________’ Mr Birling: ‘heavy-looking, rather portentous man in his middle fifties’ ‘fairly easy manners, but rather provincial in his speech.’ ‘you’ve a lot to learn yet’ ‘they’ll be peace and prosperity and rapid progress.’   Mrs. Birling: ‘a rather cold woman’ ‘husband’s social superior’ Sheila: ‘pretty girl…very pleased with life and rather excited.’ ‘mummy’ ‘daddy’ Eric: ‘not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive.’

An Inspector Calls Characterisation Thursday, 20 September 2018Thursday, 20 September 2018 An Inspector Calls Characterisation “It's the only time I’ve ever done anything like that, and I’ll never, never do it again to anybody.” “This girl. Eva Smith, was one of them, she'd had a lot to say – far too much – so she had to go.” To explore the characterisation of Arthur & Sheila Birling To understand symbolism and its purpose in the play

The Inspector’s Interrogations It is the Inspector’s task to reveal the truth about each character’s responsibility for Eva’s tragedy, confront deception (particularly self-deception) and peel away layers of self-protection. To do this, he often turns their own words and thoughts against characters.

“Why the devil do you want to do upsetting the child like that?” Page/ Speaker Line Goole’s Response Page 25, Sheila (speaking of Milwards): “I feel now I can never go there again. Oh – why had this to happen?” Page 21, Birling “Why the devil do you want to do upsetting the child like that?” Page 24, “if I could help her now, I would –” “We were having a nice little family celebration tonight. And a nasty mess you’ve made of it now, haven’t you?” Page 22, Gerald “After all, y’know, were respectable citizens and not criminal.”

The Inspector’s Interrogations How does the Inspector respond to each of these characters? What does his language and tone suggest? How does he encourage the Birling family to take responsibility for their actions?

Symbolic Characters Characters can act as symbols, based on their actions, words, and personalities Mr. Birling  _________________________ Sheila Birling  _________________________ Eva Smith  _________________________ Inspector Goole  _________________________

What do each of these characters stand for? Birling vs Sheila What do each of these characters stand for?

Sheila & Birling Analysis Sheila’s social background Sheila’s views about Eva Sheila’s response to the crime & quotes Birling’s social background Birling’s views on the poor Birling’s response to the crime & quotes

Birling as a symbol for capitalism

Sheila as a symbol for morality

Characters as Symbols PEELA #1: Sheila as a symbol Two quotations proving your point Language & technique analysis Priestley's intention & 1945 audience reaction PEELA #2: Mr. Birling as a symbol

Comprehension Questions What is the mood in the room when Sheila enters? How does Sheila react to the Inspector’s news? Why does Sheila react so violently to the photograph? How is Sheila’s reaction different to other characters’? How is Sheila affected by her realisation? Why did Priestley choose to have Sheila and Mr. Birling interrogated in the same Act one after the other?