AIC CHARACTERS Flashcards
Mr Birling summary in play as whole and affect on audience
Mr Birling plays Priestleys puppet. Symbolically represents archetypal capitalist business man whose insular perspective binds him to realities of world. Made unlikeable encourages audience to reject capitalism and see socialist benefits.
Mr Birling key vocab
-Capitalist
-arrogant
-ignorant
-pompous
-boastful
-opinionated
-narrow minded
-dismissive
-bourgeois
-unremorseful
Mr Birling key themes
Key quotes
Inspector Goole present in the play as a whole
Mouthpiece for socialist views. Through the inspection Priestley advocates the need for social responsibility warning the audience not to repeat mistakes of past
Inspector Goole key vocab
Socialist
Authoritative
Didactic
Omniscient
Egalitarian
Measured
Morally superior
Righteous
Proletariat
Inspector key themes
Inspector keys quotes
How is Sheila represented in the play as a whole
Sheila represents the younger generation who for Priestley have power to change society. Initially selfish and spoilt but learns from inspectors message takes responsibility for actions and reformed character
Sheila Birling key vocab
Naive
Spoilt
Jealous
Privileged
Rebellious
Independent minded
Sympathetic
Perceptive
Remorseful
Enlightened
Sheila key quotes
Sheila Birling key themes
Gerald Croft representation in play as a whole
Represents callous moral indifference of Edwardian aristocracy. Priestley uses Gerald as a tool to represent Edwardian patriarchal views of women as hysterical, irrational and dependent on authority of male partners
Gerald Croft key vocab
Aristocracy
Self assured
Sycophantic
Womanizing
Patronizing
Hypocritical
Exploitative
Patriarchal
Gerald Croft key themes
Gerald Croft key quotes
Mrs Birling representation in play as a whole
Mrs Birling is dislikable entirely un remorseful throughout. Remains heartless, arrogant and snobbish. Represents unwillingness of upper class to change as she doesn’t take responsibility for her actions
Mrs Birling key vocab
Heartless
Unsympathetic
Distant
Dismissive
Arrogant
Condescending
Grandiose
Prejudice
Unremorseful
Mrs Birling key themes
Mrs Birling key quotes
Eric Birling representation as a whole in the play
Priestley uses Eric as he does Sheila to suggest young people post war Britain would be the answer to a hopeful future. With Eric he addresses some concerns about the dangers of moral behavior
Eric Birling key vocab
Privileged
Immature
Deceitful
Rebellious
Reckless
Exploitative
Honest
Accepting
Remorseful
Eric Birling key quotes
Eric Birling key themes
Eva smith representation in play as a whole
Although the audience never sees her she is an integral character as she represents the working class and struggle for equality. Priestley uses her to criticize upper classes and to highlight the need for social responsibility
Eva smith key vocab
Principled
Strong
Vulnerable
Opressed
Desperate
Victimized
Emblematic
Proletariat (lower classes )
Eva smith key themes
