1. AN INSPECTOR CALLS JB PRIESTLEY
Final revision and preparation for the GCSE exam

2. The Exam 2 hours 15 minutes long- 45 minutes for each section
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.
You get 34 marks in total – 30 for content and 4 for SPAG.

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

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

5. J.B.Priestley Born 1984, Bradford.
Was in the army during WW1 – 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.

6. 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 and anguish”. Priestley saw these sufferings first hand and wanted to avoid further wars.
He was always interesting in historical events and politics.
His play represents the conflicting views on Capitalism and Socialism.

7. What is the social background/context of the play?

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

9. Social and Historical Context
Written in 1946 but set in 1912 – written just after WW2 and set just before WW1.
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 20th 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.
WW1 – 1914 to 1918
WW1 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 14th or 15th April 1912.
1940 – Winston Churchill becomes Prime Minister.
1945 – a socialist Government comes to power.

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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)

13. 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.

14. 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.”

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. WHO ARE THE MAIN CHARACTERS???

18. Arthur birling Traditional Rich Snotty Selfish Overbearing
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
Rich
Snotty
Selfish
Overbearing

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

20. 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)

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

22. 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

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

24. Eric His dad still sees him as a “boy”.
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!?)
In Act 3, Mrs. Birling reveals “I am ashamed of you” to Eric.
He got Eva/Daisy pregnant

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

26. 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?

27. Eva smith/ daisy renton
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?
She only became a prostitute because Mr. Birling sacked her from the factory and Sheila got her fired from Milwards for looking at her n a funny way. This was her last resort.
She wasn’t a vindictive character like some of the others! Therefore the Inspector seeks revenge for her
She was….
Pretty
A Victim
Depressed
Working class
Did she deserve everything that happened to her?

28. Inspector goole Mysterious Moral Right! Aggressive
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

29. What could ‘An inspector calls’ say about the roles of men and women at the start of the twentieth century?
Women
Men
Naïve
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)
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)

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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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 mistakes

34. 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 and anxious to change her behaviour in the future, 'I'll never, never do it again'

35. 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

36. 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.

37. 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 death.

38. 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?"

39. 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."

40. 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 man- about-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."

41. 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.

42. 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.

43. 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 and anguish" that will result if they do not pay attention to what he has taught them.

44. 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.

45. 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.

46. 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.

47. Themes in An Inspector Calls

48. WHAT ARE THE THEMES OF THE PLAY?

49. Responsibility
Gender
Main Themes
Class
Age

50. 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?

51. 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.

52. 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?

53. 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.”

54. 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.

55. 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.

56. 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?

57. Eva leaves Brumley for two months.
Key events in Eva’s life.
Year and month
What happens
September 1910
Eva sacked by Birling & Co.
December 1910
Eva employed by Milwards.
Late January 1911
Eva sacked by Milwards.
March 1911
Eva becomes Gerald's mistress.
Early September 1911
Gerald breaks off the affair.
Eva leaves Brumley for two months.
November 1911
Eric meets Eva.
December 1911/January 1912
Eva finds she is pregnant.
Late March 1912
Mrs. Birling turns down Eva's application for help.
Early April 1912
Eva's suicide/the Inspector calls*
Copyright

58. 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.

59. THE GENERATION GAP The Younger 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.
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
The Older Generation
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”.
They have little sympathy for Eva Smith and are only sorry that she has died because it could impact on their lives.
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.

60. Themes in the play. The generation gap . . .
The older generation and the younger generation take the Inspector's message in different ways.
While Sheila and Eric accept their part in Eva's death and feel huge guilt about it, their parents are unable to admit that they did anything wrong.
Look at these contrasting ideas:
Mr and Mrs Birling Sheila and Eric
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61. Where does Gerald fit in. Young or old?
Consider where Gerald fits into the theme of The generation gap.
In what ways is his reaction similar to that of Eric and Sheila?
In what ways is his reaction similar to that of Mr and Mrs Birling?
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62. Generation Gap
At the start of An Inspector Calls by J.B Priestley, there is a significant difference between the older and younger generations. Some of the contrast between the generations are their attitude towards responsibility, their perspective towards change as the play progresses.
The older generation include Mr Birling, Mrs Birling and the younger generation is Sheila and Eric. J.B Priestley utilises character’s emotions and opinions to convey their attitudes towards their positions in society, and roles in Edwardian society, through the death of someone they all allegedly knew and whose life they affected negatively. Arthur Birling has money and status and although he has worked for them: his social standards, expectations and opinions of himself and others are dissimilar to those of people around him, or underneath him in his opinion. Throughout the play, Mr Birling is perceived as selfish and protective of his reputation and the Birling name. He believes that socialist ideas that stress the importance of the community are “nonsense” and that a “man has to make his own way” completely contradicting the overall message of the play and creating a character that the audience severely dislike.

63. Generation Gap
Sheila and Eric are open to new ideas. This is shown in Act 1 when both Eric and Sheila express sympathy for the strikers – an idea which horrifies Birling, who can only think of production costs and ignores the human side of the issue. The young are honest and admit their faults. Eric refuses to try to cover his part up, saying, “the fact remains that I did what I did.” Sheila and Eric see the human side of Eva’s story and are very troubled by their part in it. They do examine their consciences. Sheila and Eric have nothing to fear from the visit of the ‘real’ Inspector because they have already admitted what they have done wrong, and will change.

64. Generation Gap
Once the Inspector has gone and the Birlings are able to behave more freely, Priestley creates a dramatic situation for maximum impact. The Birlings become like two opposing armies, Sheila and Eric on one side and Mr and Mrs Birling on the other. Mr Birling remains untouched by the Inspector’s words and still holds the values he had at the beginning of the play. Mrs Birling supports her husband. Sheila and Eric’s concern is a moral one, their parts in the death of the girl – the Inspector’s words have struck home. However, the contrast between the generations is most striking when Sheila says to her father, ‘you don’t seem to have learnt anything’ and Mr Birling replies, ‘I’ve learnt plenty tonight’ (p. 58). The generations no longer seem to understand each other at all. Priestley has set them against each other intentionally. He is addressing his audience, saying that if society is to change for the better after the Second World War it is the younger ‘impressionable’ (p. 30) generation who will make the difference.

65. 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.

66. 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.

67. 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.
The characters represent the classes – Priestly challenges their views and behaviour in order to challenge the class hierarchy
Working class – Eva Smith / Daisy
Middle Class – The Birlings
Upper Class - Gerald

68. 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”.

69. 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.

70. 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.

71. 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.

72. WHO IS INSPECTOR GOOLE?

73. 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?

74. 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.

75. 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.

76. 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 and 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).

77. 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)

78. What role does the Inspector play as a dramatic device?
Qualities of the character:
Impressive
Purposeful
Methodical
Unflappable
Who the character is:
Seems to know the future
Possible supernatural qualities?
Not a genuine police inspector
Staging:
Lighting changes when he arrives
Language used:
The Inspector’s speeches increasingly show his emotions
He moves from factual speeches (and dry humour) to anger and frustration
His final speech is impressive and shocking

79. The Dramatic Impact of the Inspector’s Final Speech
‘But just remember this. One Eva Smith has gone – but there are 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, with what we think and say and do. We don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other. 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 and anguish. Good night.’
You may have noticed that what the Inspector says here does not sound like ordinary conversation. The way that it is structured and the language that is used makes it clear that Priestley wanted the audience to listen carefully. It is speech rather than a piece of conversation.
1. What is the immediate impact of this speech on the characters on stage, and on the audience?
2. What does the inspector’s speech precede? How does this add to the dramatic impact of his speech?

80. Inspector goole
Inspector Goole’s first appearance is described 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. “The Inspector likes to speak to each of his characters 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.” Not only that, but Inspector Goole is a figure of authority. He also seems to know a lot of information. For example, he knows the history of Eva Smith and the Birling’s involvement despite the idea that she died a few hours prior to his investigation. This idea that the Inspector knows everything is further represented when Sheila states “Of course he knows.”. Not only that, but the Inspector knows things that will occur in the future “I’m waiting… To do my duty” just before Eric’s return, as if he expected Eric to reappear at exactly that moment. This idea therefore implies that the Inspector is not a member of authority. In fact, the Inspector might not be a real person. The Inspector could represent many things. He could be a ghost because his name is ‘ghoul’. Alternatively, he could be the voice of Priestley, God or a conscience. This could therefore convey that the role of the Inspector is to show that we all have a moral and social responsibility to each other which could be a political message, a social view which is mainly implied in Goole’s final speech “We don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other” However, it could also be seen as a religious message but aimed for not only the Birling family, but the whole audience.

81. WHAT DRAMATIC DEVICES ARE USED IN THE PLAY?

82. 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.

83. 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.

84. 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 the audience to wonder who is coming and going.

85. 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.

86. 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.

87. HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTION

88. 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.

89. introduction

95. 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

96. Introduction and conclusion
Give a clear answer to the question in 1 or 2 sentences.
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.
Summarise your answer to the question.
Make your main point again.
You could develop your own opinion and highlight what you think is the most important point.

97. 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.

98. 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?

99. 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?

100. 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?

101. 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?

102. Choose 1 question and in pairs, plan out your paragraphs.
How important do you think social class is in An Inspector Calls and how does Priestley present ideas about social class?
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?
How does Priestley present ideas about gender in ‘Ann Inspector Calls’?
What do you think is the importance of Eva Smith in ‘An Inspector Calls’ and how does Priestley present her?
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?
How does Priestley present ideas about inequality in An Inspector Calls?

103. 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.