1. Knowledge Organiser: An Inspector Calls
English Literature
Knowledge Organiser: An Inspector Calls
Plot
Act 1
Set in 1912, Brumley. The Birling family and Gerald Croft are celebrating Gerald’s engagement to Shelia. Mr Birling discusses the importance of every man looking out for himself if he wants to get on in life. Edna (the maid) announces that Inspector Goole has arrived to investigate the suicide of a young woman, Eva Smith. Mr Birling sees a photo of the woman and denies knowing her. He later remembers firing her in 1910 for organising a strike over workers pay. Shelia recalls also having sacked Eva over her manner when served by her in a department store. The inspector reveals that Eva changed her name to Daisy Renton and Gerald confesses to having an affair with her.
Act 2
Gerald explains to the inspector that he had an affair with Daisy, but hasn’t seen her since he ended the relationship in August This forces Shelia to give her engagement ring back to Gerald. The inspector then turns his attention to Mrs Birling, she confesses also having contact with the girl. She approached a charity chaired by Mrs Birling to ask for help as she was desperate and pregnant, but Mrs Birling refused as she was offended by Eva claiming her name was also Mrs Birling. She tells Eva that the baby’s father should made entirely responsible.
Act 3
Eric Birling is revealed as the father. He stole money from Mr Birling’s office to provide for Eva and the baby. The inspector delivers his speech and the family begin to suspect that he was not a genuine inspector. A phone call to the Chief Constable confirms this. Next, they phone the infirmary to be informed that there was no suicide case. Mr and Mrs Birling and Gerald congratulate themselves and they can continue their lives the way they were before. This attitude upsets Shelia and Eric. The phone rings and Mr Birling announces a girl has just died and an inspector was on the way to question them.
Dramatic Devices
Dramatic irony – Birling’s speeches, Mrs Birling’s witless implication of Eric.
Stage directions – instructions of the actions, often revealing.
Setting – constant throughout but subtle changes e.g. lighting, characters.
Tension – builds up throughout the play: interrogation of characters, personal relationships, secrecy.
Cliff-hanger – Eric’s reappearance in Act 3: the ending allows the audience to make up their minds.
Foreboding – symbolism (the Titanic), Mr Birling’s knighthood, war.
Time-lapse – Set in 1912, written in 1945: audience are in a privileged position.
The 4th Wall – The inspector’s final speech addressed directly to the audience.
Context
1912
Set just before WW1 and the sinking Titanic. A moment of rising international tensions and industrial expansions. End of Victorian era saw the demise of the rigid class system. The Labour Party founded in 1900, gaining momentum.
1946
People were recovering from 6 years of warfare, danger and uncertainty. Class distinctions were greatly reduced as a result of two world wars. Women had a more valued place in society and were allowed to vote. There was a desire for social change following WW2 and the Labour Party won a landslide victory over the Conservatives.
Wealth, power and influence
The Birlings and the Crofts are representatives of the wealthy upper class. They all misuse their social influence to benefit themselves. Their actions adversely affect the vulnerable people in society.
Class Politics
How do the ideologies of capitalism and socialism collide in the play?
Capitalists – Mr Birling, Mrs Birling, Gerald Croft.
Socialists – Eric and Shelia Birling.
Young v Old
The older generation in the play are set in their ways as they are not willing to accept responsibility for the death of Eva Smith. They are happy to forget what has happened once finding out there are no deaths. The younger generation are affected by the events and feel a sense of regret for their actions.
Characters
Inspector Goole
Priestley’s mouthpiece: advocates social justice: serves at the Birlings’ conscience.
Socialist, moralistic, righteous, powerful, intimidating, unconventional, mysterious, imposing, omnipotent.
Mr Arthur Birling
Business man, capitalist, against social equality, a self-made man (new-money).
Capitalist, arrogant, foolish, emasculate, prejudice, ignorant, selfish, stubborn,.
Mrs Sybil Birling
Husband’s social superior, believes in personal responsibility.
Arrogant, cold-hearted, insincere, prejudice, naïve, conformist, bitter, controlling, remorseless.
Shelia Birling
Young girl who comes to change her views and pities Eva. Feels a sense of regret.
Transformative, remorseful, socialist, pseud-inspector, sensitive, empowered, strong minded.
Eric Birling
Young man who drinks too much, he forces himself on Eva and regrets his actions.
Rebellious, reckless, immature, insubordinate, compulsive, desperate, disgraced, irresponsible, dualistic.
Gerald Croft
Business man who is engaged to Shelia. He is politically closest to Mr Birling.
Aristocratic, secretive, dishonest, disingenuous, privileged.
Social, historical and literary allusions
The Titanic
The Titanic sailed from Southampton and sank in the early hours of April 15th Priestly clearly wants his audience to see his drama play out against a background of real historical events. He makes Birling’s comments ironic.
“Nobody wants war”
In reality, economic rivalry between the British Empire and the new German Empire was one of the many causes of WW1.
“Russia”
The irony suggests that Russia would’ve progressed further than other European countries by The Russian Revolution hindered this.
“Bernard Shaw and H. G. Wellses”
Playwright and father of science-fiction were both well known and outspoken socialists.