1
Q
“sharp ring”
A
- Priestley uses the doorbell to signal dramatic tension between opposing political value systems.
- Deliberate structural technique
- The “sharp ring” of the doorbell is used to increase the tension and as an abrupt prelude to the inspector’s arrival. It also represents the contrast of two political ideologies. Birling is in the middle of his speech expounding the virtues of Capitalism and at the peak of his egotistical speech when the door-bell rings. This foreshadows how The inspector will introduce a more socialist ideology that “everybody has to look after everybody else” and will break down Mr Birling’s ideology.
- Adjective sharp = imagery of harshness. By doing this Priestly insinuates that the inspector will be used to penetrate through the fabricated lie of the upper class being virtuous people and portray the immorality embedded in the bourgeoisie. this also foreshadows the intense inspection ahead and the inspector’s purpose. to dramatically impose his ideas upon the audience by employing a thick and tense atmosphere which leaves the audience aghast by the vulgar acts the upper-class commit.
2
Q
“need not be a big man but he creates …. an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness.”
A
• so the three adjective exemplifies the presence of the inspector and foreshows how he disrupts the hierarchical structure of the house. It is almost as if each adjective elevates him above Mr Birling. The list of 3 shows his assertive nature and implies that he is robust
- The adjectives “massiveness” and “solidity” has connotations to togetherness this conveys a sense of unity this shows how the inspector represents the people and also reflects priestleys ideas that we should be responsible for each other
- Hints at the inspector’s imposing character
3
Q
He speaks carefully, weightily, and has a disconcerting habit of looking hard at the person he addresses before actually speaking
A
- The way in which he speaks “carefully weighty” is unnerving and fits the idea of the characters being ‘inspected’ and scrutinized. It also contrasts with the chatter at the dining table compared to the forcefully selected words of the inspector.
- Shows how he doesn’t care about social class
4
Q
Burnt her inside out, of course
Social class
A
- Use of harsh language shocks the audience and disrupts the celebratory, polite. playful atmosphere at the start
- The Blunt nature of the way the Inspector revealed the death of Eva catches the Birling’s off-guard = shows how the upper class are shielded and turn their backs against the atrocities faced by the working class. Also shows how the Inspector is unwilling to treat the Birlings differently due to their social class
5
Q
“Because what happened to her then… what happened to her afterwards and what happened to her afterwards” “A chain of events” Social responsibility
A
- Use of anadiplosis to make the sentence inextricably connected is emblematic of how our lives are “intertwined” with everyone else’s, promoting socialist ideologies
- This idea is further enforced by the noun ‘chain’ which shows how the Birlings all ‘help’ to lead this girl into a horrible demise. It may also depict the heaviness and imprisonment of the ‘events’ with Eva, showing how it weighs down the entire family.
6
Q
But after all it’s better to ask for the earth than to take it.
Social responsibility, class
A
- Inspector deconstructs Birling’s ideology and ingeniously rephrases his very own words, manipulating the very meaning to shock Birling with his own hypocrisy as well as the hypocrisy of capitalism
- Verb ‘take’ sounds quite aggressive and reflects the middle/upper classes enforcing their materialistic entitlement. Suggests that the upper class just take money through exploitations – paints them as criminals
- AO3 –class divide in 1912 – the rich, such as factory owners, could exploit the working classes as there were no laws to protect workers’ rights, no minimum wage etc
- Noun ‘earth’ represents a huge planetary body, the entirety of our existence, which shows that the upper/middle classes feel as though they are entitled to more than their fair share, whilst the lower classes are exploited in order to give this to them.
- AO3 – Goole’s views reflect Priestley’s socialist views that we should be striving for equality when rebuilding society after a time of warfare and uncertainty.
7
Q
I don’t play golf. Social class, social responsibility
A
- Response to Birling assuming dominance over the inspector through his use of contacts
- Golf was normally played by the wealthy. This shows that the Inspector’s integrity and that he is above bribery. This also shows that Birling is challenged by the Inspector.
- This also shows his disassociation with the rich and emphasizes the Inspector’s ability to make rational and fair judgements of each character’s actions, regardless of their social status
8
Q
A nice little promising life there, I thought, and a nasty mess somebody’s made of it. Social responsibility
- twisting words
- not only one
- sconful reply
A
- The juxtaposition between “promising life” and “nasty mess” emphasizes how vulnerable Eva was. “A” could show that she isn’t the only woman to be destroyed by people like the Birlings.
- Twisting Mr Birling’s words against him, makes a mockery put of him
- The scornful reply reveals the trivial nature of Mr Birling’s concerns compared with Eva’s death
9
Q
(cutting in, massively)
- whar does the verb “cutting show” -removing power
- socialism vs capitalism
- what does the adverb “massively” show
A
- Verb “cutting”, gives an impression of the Inspector removing any power that the Birlings have, allowing Priestley to voice his ideas more vociferously through the Inspector’s mouth
- Adverb “massively” highlights the power and authority he has over the Birlings and his refusal to be intimidated by their social class.
- He is presented as omniscient.
- Allows the audience to believe that socialism is morally higher than captalism
10
Q
(searchingly at them) Well?
A
- Last words before the curtains close- cliffhanger – build anticipation in the audience
- Highlights how he is in control of the situation
11
Q
You think young women ought to be protected against unpleasant and disturbing things? Inspector to Gerald Social class, gender inequality
A
- Use of irony here highlights the hypocrisy of the upper class and displays how differently women are treated in different classes. This challenges the audience current views on class
- Gerald demonstrates the Edwardian view that a woman should not be tainted by unpleasant, worldly truths, whiles the Inspector holds a more modern view whiles also pointing our class hypocrisy
- Ironic = even though Gerald thinks that women should be protected, he took advantage of Eva
12
Q
We’ll have to share our guilt. Social responsibility
A
- Through this quote, Priestley urges for the need for cooperation, community and social justice in society = wants to influence the contemporary audience you have just come out of war to build a new socialist society
- The collective pronouns “we” and “our combined with the verb “share” = emphasizes the need for community
13
Q
(coolly) we often do on the young ones. They’re more impressionable. Young vs old
A
- Subtle message from Priestley to the audience that they younger generations are more able to change their views to more socialist one and therefore make the world a better place
- Younger generation willing to learn from mistakes
14
Q
(sharply) your daughter isn’t living on the moon. She’s here in brumley too.
Gender, class, social responsibility
A
- Metaphor highlights how detached the upper class, particularly upper class women, are detached from the harsher aspects of life
- The adverb “too” accentuates the importance of how everyone is responsible = Priestley reinforcing the message of social responsibility
- Adverb “sharply” would have shocked the contemporary audience, as during the time the play was set, people were meant to treat social superiors with respect.
15
Q
(massively) Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges. Social responsibility, class
A
- Adverb massively = The inspector addresses Mr Birling in an assertive tone, showing his domination and greater role of power over the situation.
- Through the inspector, Priestely highlights how the idea of power and responsibility go hand in hand and urges the people in a positon of authority in the audience to carry out their duty of responsibility
16
Q
(grimly) Don’t worry Mrs Birling. I shall do my duty.
A
- AO2 the stage direction is evidence of Goole being omniscient as he appears to use his watch to check the exact moment at which Eric will enter the room.
- Goole seems to be ‘toying’ with Mrs Birling here, proving the huge gulf in their intelligence levels.
- AO2 structure – the act ends on a climactic curtain (as all 3 acts of the play do)
- AO2 the audience will have also worked out Eric is the father and that he is about to enter so we appreciate the dramatic irony which makes Mrs Birling seem all the more foolish.
17
Q
No hushing up, eh? Make an example of the young man, eh? Public confession of responsibility – um?
A
- AO2 use of repeated questions give an exaggerated feel as the Inspector is ‘toying’ with Mrs Birling, knowing he is trapping her into full blame of her own son.
- AO2 the use of ‘eh’ and ‘um’ at the ends of the questions give a knowing, playful feel as if he is hinting hugely to the audience that he is mocking Mrs Birling.
- AO2 the irony is not lost on the audience who will have already worked out who the father is.
18
Q
Inspector: ( taking charge, masterfully) Stop! They are suddenly quiet, staring at him.
A
- Highlights the power that the inspector holds
* Creates dramatic tension
19
Q
millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us
A
- AO2+3 repetition of ‘millions’ emphasises the huge scale of poverty and suffering in the country.
- Eva’s name has been pluralised to show how she is representative of ALL vulnerable, exploited working-class women.
- AO2+3 the male equivalent ‘John Smiths’ symbolises how it is not only women who are being exploited but also working-class men.
- The use of common names also highlights how universal their struggle is
20
Q
“We are member of one body. We are responsible for each other”
A
- AO2 plural pronoun ‘we’ includes him. Sense of unity with the Birlings / sense of global unity.
- AO3 Goole is the mouthpiece for Priestley’s socialist view that we should take responsibility for others and show concern for the vulnerable.
- Inspector Goole’s last words bear a strong resemblance to the biblical words of communion - is he trying to remind us of Christian virtues and how far materialism has encouraged us to move away from morality
21
Q
“Taught it in fire blood and anguish” social responsibility
A
- Dramatic irony – audience knows that war has happened twice, adding gravitas to Priestley’s message
- Metaphor for war
- Noun “fire = like fire refusal to take responsibility spreads through our society and then hurts everyone
- Has religious connotations- eternal damnation. Depicts the Inspector as a holy man and adds to his mystique
- Last words he says – dramatic ending so that the message stays with the audience
Inspector calls
flashcards
Decks in class (7)
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