Literature GCSE AN INSPECTOR CALLS Paper 2.

Literature GCSE AN INSPECTOR CALLS Paper 2

YOU WILL HAVE A CHOICE OF 2 QUESTIONS.
IN THE EXAM... CHOOSE THE ONE YOU FEEL YOU COULD ANSWER WELL. BE CONFIDENT IN YOUR CHOICE AND STICK WITH IT. TYPICAL EXAM QUESTION: How does Priestley explore guilt in An Inspector Calls? Write about: The ideas about guilt How Priestley presents those ideas by the way he writes. The question may be on a central theme or key character The key focus is HOW – explore his METHODS There will be bullet points to remind you what to include.

AO1 & 2 ARE WORTH MORE! I must know my devices and Lit terminology
‘CONTEXT’ IS WORTH LESS % than AO 1 and 2 BUT IS STILL IMPORTANT I MUST BE ABLE TO WRITE ABOUT LIFE AT THE TIME AND HOW THE PLAY WOULD BE RECEIVED 2.5% OF PAPER 2 INVOLVES ACCURATE TECHNICAL SKILLS AND GOOD VOCABULARY

The mark scheme – grade 5/6 (B/C)
This is grade C/B (grade 5/6) approximately. Look at some of the underlined key words. Marked out of 30. (4 marks available for SPAG)

How the marks are split up.
Point out to pupils most amount of marks will be given to critical understanding and analysis. Context must be referred to but not too much time given over to it. You can know all the context before you go in so revise it.

What to focus on in the exam?
This means having a line of argument you can follow in your answer NOT making 4 or 5 isolated points To focus on structure you can talk about when things happen (a good way to do this is to focus on exits and entrances) Form means you need to focus on the fact it’s a play – focus on stage directions and set design will help with this Two and three are the most important you will do number one as you go through the answer You need to have a clear idea of some things you want to focus on before you go into the play. Memorise the stage directions for the start of the play, what reference is made to lighting? What reference is made to lighting when the Inspector arrives? Remember two important entrances and exits (Inspector Goole, Eric?)

An Inspector Calls What must be in your essay?
A range of well chosen quotes Analysis of Priestley’s methods – use of language/ structure/ form to convey his message using subject terms Understanding of key themes Understanding of Priestley’s main ideas Reference to context – i.e time it was written and time it was set Audience reaction - at time it was written and now

Typical questions TYPICAL EXAM QUESTION:
How does Priestley explore responsibility in An Inspector Calls? Write about: The ideas about responsibility How Priestley presents those ideas by the way he writes. TYPICAL EXAM QUESTION: How does Priestley show change in An Inspector Calls? Write about: The ideas about people changing or not changing How Priestley presents those ideas by the way he writes. TYPICAL EXAM QUESTION: How and why does Sheila change in An Inspector Calls? How does Priestley show this change? Write about: How Sheila responds to her family and the inspector How Priestley presents Sheila by the way he writes.

EITHER Question 1 Explain the significance of Mr Birling in J.B. Priestley’s An Inspector Calls. Write about: • how Mr Birling responds to character and plot • how Priestley presents Mr Birling by the way he writes. [30 marks] AO4 [4 marks] OR Question 2 How does Priestley explore social status in An Inspector Calls? Write about: • the ideas about social status in An Inspector Calls • how Priestley presents these ideas by the way he writes. [30 marks] AO4 [4 marks]

Question 17 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? [30 marks] / SPaG [4 marks] OR Question 18 How does Priestley present ideas about inequality in An Inspector Calls? [30 marks] / SPaG [4 marks]

Example exam questions:
1. How is Eva Smith presented by Priestley? 2. How does Priestly present ideas about how we should treat other people in An Inspector Calls? 3. What do you think is the Inspector’s function in the play and how does Priestley present him? 4. How does Priestley show the differences in attitudes between the generations in An Inspector Calls? 5. Explore the role of Sheila. How does Priestley use her? 6. What is the role of Gerald and how is he presented? 7. Explore the differences and similarities between Mr and Mrs Birling. 8. Who in the play learns their lesson and how does Priestley show this taking place?

Key events that lead to Eva Smith's death.

TIMELINE YEAR AND MONTH WHAT HAPPENS PERSON INVOLVED September 1910
Eva sacked by Birling and Co. MR BIRLING December 1910 Eva employed by Milwards. Late January 1911 Eva sacked by Milwards. SHEILA BIRLING March 1911 Eva (calling herself Daisy Renton) becomes Gerald’s mistress. GERALD CROFT Early September 1911 Gerald breaks off the affair. November 1911 Eric meets Eva. ERIC BIRLING December 1911/January 1912 Eva finds she is pregnant. Late March 1912 Mrs Birling turns down Eva’s application for help. MRS BIRLING Early April 1912 Eva’s suicide/the Inspector calls. ALL

Keen to pioneer a new ‘morality’ in politics, Priestley’s chief concern involved social inequality in Britain. Priestley had fought in World War I and like many of the men who came back home he wanted a “new England”, where men were equal and the wealth of the nation was shared more evenly – he wanted a socialist government and society. Priestley was involved in helping to set up the Welfare State that we now have as a part of our everyday lives – e.g. National Health Service. Although Priestley wrote the play in 1944 he sets the play in England He did this as this era was a good example of all the things he wanted to change. In 1912, rigid class and gender boundaries seemed to ensure that nothing would change. Yet by 1945, most of those class and gender divisions had been breached. Priestley wanted to make the most of these changes. Through this play, he encourages people to seize the opportunity the end of the war had given them to build a better, more caring society.

Social, Historical and Cultural Context 1912 – 1945
In April 1912 the Titanic launched on its maiden voyage to New York, but hit an iceberg and sank. No woman was allowed to vote. The suffragette movement was fighting for women’s rights. In 1913, Emily Davidson gave her life. Women did not get full voting rights until 1928. In 1914 all of Europe went to war – no real reason just for industrial domination. 1917 – Russian Revolution – within 20 years the country evolved from a backward farming community to an industrial giant. The Trades Union Movement – once banned – became a stronger united force. In 1926 several major unions – TUC – called all workers out on strike to fight for better working conditions. It was started by the mine workers having their conditions altered. In 1939 Germany invaded Poland and World War 2 began. The British troops were fighting for freedom and on their return to the UK demanded freedom for themselves as workers. In 1946 Clement Atlee was elected the first Labour Prime Minister and his major promise was the creation of a Welfare State.

Act 1 Summary The Birling family is celebrating the engagement of Sheila to Gerald Croft, the son of Lord and Lady Croft, who comes from ‘an old country family – landed people’. Arthur Birling is in a good mood and makes a number of speeches giving his views about the state of the world, technology and industrial relations. One of his main themes is about being responsible for themselves; he doesn’t believe that anyone has a responsibility to others apart from his family. When Inspector Goole is announced, Birling and Gerald make a joke about Eric who shows his guilty conscience by reacting strongly to this. The inspector informs Birling about the death of a young woman who has committed suicide by drinking disinfectant. It emerges that Birling had sacked the girl, Eva Smith, two years earlier after she had been one of the ring-leaders in a strike and demanding higher wages. Sheila Birling is also connected to the girl, having had her sacked from her new job at Milwards. She is horrified by what she did and is genuinely remorseful. The inspector seems to know details of the family’s involvement before they speak and when he tells them that the girl changed her name to Daisy Renton, Gerald’s reaction tells us that he, too, knew the girl. When they are temporarily left alone, Sheila warns Gerald not to try to hide anything from the inspector. By the end of the first act, the audience is expecting the inspector to reveal further connections with members of the Birling family.

Act 2 Summary Although Gerald tries to get Sheila to leave the room, she insists on staying. Gerald admits to having had an affair with Eva Smith, the girl he knew as Daisy Renton, the previous summer. Sheila is hurt and disappointed in Gerald who had told her he was busy at the works at that time. After Gerald broke off the affair, Eva/Daisy had left Brumley for a few months. After Sheila has returned her engagement ring to him, Gerald goes out, seemingly genuinely affected by the news of the girl’s death. Despite Sheila’s warnings Mrs Birling tries to intimidate the inspector, believing that she could have no possible connection to the girl. When the inspector reminds her of the pregnant girl she turned away from the charity organisation she chaired, Mrs Birling concedes but felt herself to be justified because the girl had lied to her about her name (calling herself Mrs Birling). She also disbelieved the girl’s claim that she had refused the offer of help from the father of her baby because she believed that he had stolen the money. Mrs Birling digs herself deeper into a hole by insisting that the father of the baby should be made to pay. Eric has been out during this exchange but re-enters right at the end of the scene to expectant faces – we are expecting Eric to be the father of the baby.

Act 3 Summary Eric immediately realises that they all know and tells them of how he met Eva and of her subsequent pregnancy. Questioned closely by the inspector, he also reveals that he had tried to support the girl by giving her money – but he had stolen it from his father’s business. The Birlings seem more horrified by this than his responsibility for the girl’s condition. Having done his job, the inspector makes a speech about social responsibility and leaves the Birlings to examine their behaviour. When Gerald re-enters he has news that there is no Inspector Goole employed by the local police. Birling and Gerald now set about disproving the inspector’s case, although Sheila and Eric feel that that is not the point. When Gerald confirms that no girl has died of drinking disinfectant by telephoning the infirmary, the Birlings and Gerald are delighted and their mood of jollity and good-humour of the beginning of Act 1 returns. Sheila and Eric do not feel the same way, continuing to feel guilt for what they have done and are appalled at the behaviour of Gerald and their parents. When Birling suggests that Sheila take back her engagement ring from Gerald, Sheila remarks that it is too soon. Just at the point where Birling is teasing them for their lack of sense of humour, the telephone rings and Birling is obviously stunned by what he hears: a girl has died in the infirmary and a police inspector is on his way to act them some questions.

characters Mr Arthur Birling Mrs Sybil Birling Sheila Birling
What should you know? At least 5 quotes for each character Have a good understanding of the character’s part in events and what Priestley is using them to show You should be able to link each character to a theme. How would an audience react to this character? Mr Arthur Birling Mrs Sybil Birling Sheila Birling Eric Birling Gerald Croft Inspector Goole Eva Smith/Daisy Renton

Find Quotations for the following:
An Inspector Calls Mr Birling AO1 Find Quotations for the following: He cares more about his business than his family He will not take responsibility for others He is made to look foolish by Priestley Capitalist views Tries to have authority over the Inspector AO3 What is Priestley trying to teach us about the historical context through the character of Mr Birling? How is Priestley teaching us this? Which themes does Mr Birling link to and how? AO2 Analyse the following quotations. What devices have been used? What is the key word and its connotations? “Arthur Birling is a heavy-looking, rather portentous man… easy manners but rather provincial in his speech.” “The titanic… absolutely unsinkable.” “A man has to make his own way – has to look after himself – and his family too, of course.” “You’d think… we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive – community and all that nonsense.” “There’s every excuse for what both your mother and I did – it turned out unfortunately, that’s all –”

An Inspector Calls Mrs Birling AO1 Find Quotations for the following: She refuses to take responsibility She is selfish Treats Eric/Sheila like children She is not sorry for what happened AO3 What is Priestley trying to teach us about the historical context through the character of Mrs Birling? How is Priestley teaching us this? Which themes does Mrs Birling link to and how? AO2 Analyse the following quotations. What devices have been used? What is the key word and its connotations? “A rather cold woman and her husband’s social superior.” “Please don’t contradict me like that.” “The most prominent member of the committee.”

An Inspector Calls Sheila AO1 Find Quotations for the following: She represents the change in political view from Capitalism to Socialism She is shocked by the death of Eva Smith She will take responsibility She is the family conscience She was spoilt at the start AO3 What is Priestley trying to teach us about the historical context through the character of Sheila? How is Priestley teaching us this? Which themes does Sheila link to and how? AO2 Analyse the following quotations. What devices have been used? What is the key word and its connotations? “Oh – how horrible! Was it an accident?” “It’s you two who are being childish – trying not to face the facts.” “But these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people.”

An Inspector Calls Eric AO1 Find Quotations for the following: He drinks too much Admits that he made Eva Smith pregnant after meeting her at the Palace Theatre Admits he stole money from his father Accuses his mother of murdering his unborn child Acknowledges his irresponsibility towards Eva Smith AO3 What is Priestley trying to teach us about the historical context through the character of Eric? How is Priestley teaching us this? Which themes does Eric link to and how? AO2 Analyse the following quotations. What devices have been used? What is the key word and its connotations? “Just keep quiet, Eric, and don’t get excited.” (Mr Birling) “That’s something this public-school-and-Varsity life you’ve had doesn’t seem to teach you.” (Mr Birling) “She was pretty and a good sport.”

An Inspector Calls Gerald AO1 Find Quotations for the following: He is self-assured, mature and worldly wise Mr Birling think that Gerald would make a good son-in-law Is in the middle of the generation split AO3 What is Priestley trying to teach us about the historical context through the character of Gerald? How is Priestley teaching us this? Which themes does Gerald link to and how? AO2 Analyse the following quotations. What devices have been used? What is the key word and its connotations? “Rather too manly to be a dandy… easy, well-bred young man-about-town.” “You were the wonderful Fairy Prince. You must have adored it, Gerald.” (Sheila) “How do we know any girl killed herself today?”

An Inspector Calls Inspector Goole AO1 Find Quotations for the following: He is a messenger of God He is a voice piece for Priestley’s political views He represents socialism He believes in social responsibility His appearance AO3 What is Priestley trying to teach us about the historical context through the character of Inspector Goole? How is Priestley teaching us this? Which themes does Inspector Goole link to and how? AO2 Analyse the following quotations. What devices have been used? What is the key word and its connotations? “One person and one line of enquiry at a time. Otherwise, there’s a muddle.” “It’s my duty to ask questions.” “There are millions and millions of Eva Smiths and john Smiths still left with us.” “All intertwined with our lives, and what we think and say and do.” “We don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.” “They will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.”

Eva Smith/Daisy Renton
An Inspector Calls Eva Smith/Daisy Renton AO1 Find Quotations for the following: She is from the working class She was capable of being a leader How she died AO3 What is Priestley trying to teach us about the historical context through the character of Eva Smith? How is Priestley teaching us this? Which themes does Eva Smith link to and how? AO2 Analyse the following quotations. What devices have been used? What is the key word and its connotations? “Well Eva Smith’s gone. You can’t do her any more harm.” (Inspector) “You made her pay a heavy price for that. And now she’ll make you pay a heavier price still.” (Inspector)

Quiz – Who is this quotation about? 1
1) “Rather portentous man” 2) “Cold woman” 3) “Very pleased with life” 4) “Creates an impression of massiveness” 5) “She used more than one name” 6) “Rather provincial in his speech” 7) “An attractive chap about thirty” 8) “Not quite at ease” 9) “Really the things you girls pick up these days!” 10) “Lucky girl” 11) “Has a disconcerting habit of looking hard” 12) “She died” 13) “She’d has a lot to say – far too much” 14) “Half shy, half assertive” 15) “Suicide, of course” 16) “Why the devil do you want to go upsetting the child like that?” Mr Birling Mrs Birling Sheila Inspector Eva Smith Gerald Eric

1) “You’re squiffy” 2) “Heavy looking” 3) “He speaks carefully” 4) “Rather excited” 5) “A pretty girl in her early twenties” 6) “Too manly to be a dandy” 7) “That’s something this public-school-and-Varsity lie you’ve had doesn’t seem to teach you” 8) “Both her parents were dead” 9) “And now you’ve brought us together” 10) “She’d swallowed a lot of strong disinfectant” 11) “You’re a pretty fortunate young man” 12) “A young woman dies in the Infirmary” 13) “I believe you’re right sir” 14) “Suicide of course”

1) “You’re squiffy” Eric 2) “Heavy looking” Mr Birling 3) “He speaks carefully” Inspector 4) “Rather excited” Sheila 5) “A pretty girl in her early twenties” Sheila 6) “Too manly to be a dandy” Gerald 7) “That’s something this public-school-and-Varsity lie you’ve had doesn’t seem to teach you” Eric 8) “Both her parents were dead” Eva Smith 9) “And now you’ve brought us together” Gerald 10) “She’d swallowed a lot of strong disinfectant” Eva Smith 11) “You’re a pretty fortunate young man” Gerald 12) “A young woman dies in the Infirmary” Eva Smith 13) “I believe you’re right sir” Mr Birling 14) “Suicide of course” Eva Smith

Quiz – Who said this quotation? 1
1) “You’re just the kind of son-in-law I always wanted” 2) “Is it the one you wanted me to have?” 3) “Hard-headed business man” 4) “It’s better to ask for the earth than to take it” 5) “It’s just I can’t help thinking about this girl” 6) “One line of enquiry at a time” 7) “So I’m really to blame?” 8) “A chain of events” 9) “Oh – how horrible!” 10) “A man has to make his own way” 11) “We’re in for a time of steadily increasing prosperity” 12) “He could have kept her on” 13) “I’m not a purple-faced old man” 14) “To that I say – fiddlesticks” 15) “Sir, an Inspector’s called” 16) “I know the Brumley police pretty well” Mr Birling Sheila Inspector Eric Edna

Quiz – Who said this quotation? 2
Gerald Sheila Mr Birling Inspector 1) “I was awfully busy at the works all that time” 2) “Don’t be an ass, Eric” 3) “Working together for lower costs and higher prices” 4) “It’s my duty to keep labour costs down” 5) “But these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people” 6) “At least, I’m trying to tell the truth” 7) “She decided she might as well try another kind of life” 8) “I can’t accept any responsibility” 9) “I discharged her from mu employment” 10) “I insist upon being part of the family now” 11) “Community and all that nonsense” 12) “It’s about time you learnt to face a few responsibilities” 13) “I’m on duty” 14) “I say there isn’t a chance of war”

Themes in An Inspector Calls

Responsibility Gender Main Themes Class Age

Responsibility The play is concerned with both personal responsibility and social responsibility Primary theme Words ‘responsible’ and ‘responsibility’ are used by most characters throughout the play The Inspector wanted each member of the family to share the responsibility of Eva’s death: "One Eva Smith has gone - but there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us, with their lives, their hopes and fears, their suffering and chance of happiness, all intertwined with our lives, and what we think and say and do." The Inspector gives the Birling’s a warning: “And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, when they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.” What would Priestly want his audience to think of when providing the Birling’s with such warnings?

Attitude to Social Responsibility
Character Attitude to Social Responsibility Mr. Birling Mrs. Birling Eric Shelia “… a man has to make his own way – has to look after himself – and his family too, of course when he has one…” Doesn’t believe that an individual has a social responsibility to others. Sees social responsibility in a limited way – while she is involved with a woman’s charity she has a very narrow sense of responsibility. She takes no responsibility for Eva’s death. Has some innate sense of social responsibility “Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages.” He felt enough responsibility to offer Eva money. Shelia’s sense of social responsibility is awakened throughout the play and she feels compassion for workers like Eva “But these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people.”

Class Apart from Edna, the maid, the characters in the play are from the rich, upper classes. However, a lot can be learnt about the lower classes through the attitudes of the characters and their interactions with Eva Smith. Again make sure that you consider how each character views the lower classes at the beginning and the end of the play. This theme is linked heavily with Priestley’s socialist views and the time periods in which the play were set and written (1912 and 1945). Make sure that you understanding Priestley’s background and personal political views.

At the start of the play this character was…
To this character Eva was… Mr. Birling Mrs. Birling Shelia Gerald Eric Keen to cement his social rise through Shelia’s marriage. Insecure about his social status. Simply cheap labour – he did not think of her as a person. Social superior to her husband and gets embarrassed by his social gaffes. An upstart who deserves what she gets. Happy taking advantage of the benefits of her social class – spending time in expensive shops. Someone beneath he social status who deserved to be fired out of spite. Prepared to marry Shelia despite her lower social status and the disapproval of his mother. A mistress to be used and discarded as he pleases. Feels awkward about the benefits from his social status. Easy sex at the end of a drunken night out.

Gender Because of her sex Eva was in an even more vulnerable position. When the play is set women were not yet valued in their own right by society and had not been awarded the right to vote. Even upper class women had limited choices and were under the control of men. The situation was even worse for working class women. Eva Smith encompasses this plights and her life is heavily influenced by the men she encounters. Why do you think Priestley decided to have the play based on the death of a young working class woman rather than the death of a young working class man?

Age The Old (Mr. and Mrs. Birling) The Young (Shelia and Eric)
The older and younger generations deal with the Inspector’s call in different ways. Age The Old (Mr. and Mrs. Birling) The Young (Shelia and Eric) The old are set in their ways. They are confident that they are right and the young are wrong. More open to new ideas. Their views change throughout the play and they express sympathy for the striking workers They will do anything to protect themselves and their reputation – Mr. Birling’s first thought is to cover up a scandal They accept responsibility for their actions and their effects. They have never been forced to examine their actions and they cannot do this now “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”. Eric and Shelia examine their role in Eva’s death. Mr. and Mrs. Birling have much to fear from a visit from the real Inspector – they will lose the thing they value most. They have less to fear from the real Inspector as they have already admitted their wrong doing and it is suggested they will change.

How should you revise theme?
Have quotes for each theme. Can you match a character’s actions or opinion to each key theme? How would an audience react to this theme? Why is Priestley using it? Can you think of 4 – 5 times that this theme is shown throughout the text?

Language Techniques used in ‘An Inspector Calls’
Words such as “chaps” (men) and “jingo” help show the characters’ social class. They’re using language of their social group. The Inspector uses plain and direct language, he only says what he needs to – there can’t be any confusion. He also uses silence – he has a “disconcerting habitat” of staring for a while at a person before he speaks to them. The older Birlings find him offensive because of his manner and language – he is “rude” and “impertinent”. By the end of the play Sheila is confident and assertive.

Priestley uses dramatic irony to influence the audience. It seems as if the Inspector’s omniscient – he knows everything. The audience know that a lot of what Birling dismisses in his speech actually happened. When the audience know more than the characters, it’s called dramatic irony.

The Birlings use euphemism to hide what they mean. A euphemism is a way of avoiding something unpleasant by using other, often more vague, words. For example, Mrs Birling describes Eva Smith “a girl of that sort” (meaning a lower-class girl). The Inspector doesn’t use euphemisms. His language is more direct.

The Inspector uses imagery. Language that creates a strong picture is called imagery. The Inspector uses graphic imagery to shock – the words “burnt her inside out” create an image that distresses Sheila and the audience. The Inspector’s final speech uses imagery from the Bible. This makes the Inspector sound like a religious figure. For example, “we are members of one body.”

Exploring language She instructs and commands her family – quite a change to how submissive she is at the start of the play. What can we say about this quotation? What is worth analysing? Is there a device? The wall is symbolic- Priestley is being metaphorical. What does it represent? What does it say about the classes? Sheila: You mustn't try to build up a kind of wall between us and that girl. If you do, then the Inspector will just break it down. And it'll be all the worse when he does. She knows how painful it is to regret your actions after the Inspector makes you realise the consequences. ‘Break’ is a power word which shows the strength of the Inspector and his power of knowledge. What else does it show/ imply?

Look for - Sentence types (during Close Analysis)
Look for - Sentence types (during Close Analysis). Explore why they are used. Imperatives – commands/ request/ demand Exclamations – shows strong feelings or emotions Declaratives – declares something Interrogatives – asks questions State which sentence type it is, if appropriate, as part of your essay (blended in with your analysis)

What can we say about this quotation. What is worth analysing
What can we say about this quotation? What is worth analysing? Is there a device? Inspector Goole: One Eva Smith has gone - but there are millions and millions and million of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us, with their lives, their hopes and fears, their suffering and chance of happiness, all intertwined with our lives, and what we think and say and do. We don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other. (Act 3)

What can we say about this quotation. What is worth analysing
What can we say about this quotation? What is worth analysing? Is there a device? Inspector Goole: (massively) Public men, Mr. Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges.

Exploring structure Sheila – start of play: Excited Taking out the ring/ admiringly Sheila – end of play: Distressed Scornfully Crying quietly Stage directions are hugely useful and worth analysing in the exam – you should have a supply of them ready to include!

Stage directions concerning the Inspector – what can you say?
‘The lighting should be pink and intimate until the Inspector arrives and then it should be brighter and harder’ Take feedback then watch the video to find any ideas missed

‘We hear the sharp ring of a front door bell’

‘He speaks carefully, weightily, and has a disconcerting habit of looking hard at the person he addresses before actually speaking’

Stage directions – find one pertinent stage direction for each of the main characters and be prepared to explore it Birling: Eric: Sheila: Gerald: Mrs Birling:

Cycles In what way is the play a cyclic play? In what way is it not?
Include this in your essay if relevant – it shows you can see STRUCTURE and can see the play as a whole, constructed piece of work.

An Inspector Calls Symbolism – when an object or thing can be said to be representative of bigger ideas or issues The dining room furniture symbolises… The decanter of port and the cigars symbolise… This symbolises outward displays of wealth… The photograph of Eva symbolises… P12 – the Inspector ‘cuts through’ others speaking and ‘interposes himself’ between them when they try to see the photo These actions symbolise that to expose the actions of ignorant people you need to… P7 – Sheila and Sybil leaving after dinner P70 – Birling wipes his brow/ Sheila shivers Mr and Mrs Birling symbolise… Eva/ Daisy symbolise… Eric symbolises… The room they are in symbolises… Sheila symbolises… The Inspector’s arrival at the Birling house symbolises… Gerald symbolises… Small – objects etc Bigger – staging/ lighting/ directions Biggest – people/ events

Approaching the question
How does Priestley present the character of Mr Birling throughout the play? In what ways- your answers. Show us Refer to the whole play The character you have to write about

Underline the key words in the question and make sure you understand what it is asking you to do.
What is the importance of Gerald’s/Sheila’s/Eric’s/Mr or Mrs Birling’s role in the play?

Planning Think of some ‘gut reactions’ (these will be your first or immediate points/answers) to the question. e.g.: How does Priestley present the character of Mr Birling in the play? So, Mr Birling is presented as ignorant, stubborn, traditionalist and a social climber. Don’t forget to number these- to give a sense of coherence!

Planning Which quotes will you use?
So, Mr Birling is presented as ignorant, stubborn, traditionalist and a social climber. Which quotes will you use?

Use 1-2 quotations to support each idea
PEE Take each of these words from your plan and make them the first sentence of your paragraph: To begin with, Priestley presents Mr Birling as an ignorant character. Furthermore, he is presented as a social climber. Moreover, Priestley conveys him as a traditionalist. Finally, he is presented as someone who is quite stubborn. Use 1-2 quotations to support each idea

PEE example To begin with, Priestley presents Mr Birling as an ignorant character quite early on in the play. This is when he says: ‘…the Titanic is unsinkable…absolutely unsinkable.’ Mr Birling talks with assumed authority about the Titanic and other events. He makes sweeping statements about progress, business, and politics. However, while he enjoys lecturing his children and Gerald about life and the world, he is shown to be narrow-minded and cannot see the consequences of his actions or recognise what is happening in the world at large. It is because of these sweeping statements, his character creates tension early on in the play.

Literature GCSE AN INSPECTOR CALLS Paper 2.

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Literature GCSE AN INSPECTOR CALLS Paper 2.

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