AIC Revision Flashcards
What’s Eva described as from Mr Birling?
“A lively good-looking girl” she’s remembered as an attractive hero which makes Mr Birling look worse
What does the workers strike do for the play?
It gives a political element to it as Priestley is positioning the rights of the workers against the interests of a businessman
How do Mr Birling and the Inspector clash?
They both sit in a position of authority which intimidates Mr Birling’s ego
How is Sheila presented?
Because of her insecurity and jealousy she got Eva fired for no reason but she said she “felt rotten about it at the time” this shows that she’s acknowledged what she’s done is awful showing she’s matured since then - this makes her the forgivable character
How does the mood shift?
The lighting changes from the pink “intimate” lighting to a harsh bright white light, this shows the shift in the mood being more joyful to being a neutral color taking the emotion out of scene
What’s mr Birling’s views on responsibility?
Mr Birling sees the workers as “cheap labour” if he can get them to work for less he will do, as he wants maximum profit for the individual which is the opposite of social responsibility
How is the theme of family life presented?
The Birling’s family life is held together by secrets and polite behavior, the Inspector disrupts this, lets the secrets out and the family members bad behavior along with it causing conflit
How is Eva Smith presented?
By the men in the family she only seems to be valued for her looks (sexism). It’s said that Eva Smith could be more than one girl and could represent women in 1912 society, one could argue that the Inspector shows all of them a different photo
How does the theme of young and old contrast?
Sheila and Eric are the only ones who seem to be sympathetic towards Eva Smith’s situation and they just so happen to be the younger ones. This is because the youth are more impressionable. Sheila is constantly asked to leave the room as they don’t think a young woman should hear this grim story but she stays and thinks for herself, breaking away from her parents traditional values
What does the name daisy Renton suggest?
Eva wanted a fresh start so she chose the name Daisy Renton. But “under the daisies” was a euphemism for being dead and renton suggests “renting” hinting at prostitution
Why did Daisy love Gerald?
Chivalry was very present at the time, this concept of “fairy prince gentlemen” saving “fallen women” Daisy goes to the seaside place to remember their time together “just to make it last longer” suggesting she loved him. Gerald didn’t love her back but “adored” being loved by her
What happens between the Inspector Gerald and Sheila?
Sheila now realizes the consequences of marrying a man who lied to her, Mr Birling défends Gerald saying “you must understand a lot of young men-“ implying it’s normal for a lot of men to have mistresses. Gerald then asks the Inspector to be excused not Mr Birling which shows how the authority has now shifted to the Inspector
How is Sybil presented? (Mrs Birling)
Sybil refuses to accept responsibility for her actions as she could never see herself in a situation like Eva’s. Because she’s so obsessed with her social class and reputation she can’t empathize with Eva and can’t recognize connections between her life and anyone else’s
How does Sybil (Mrs birling) see responsibility?
Sybil begins to shift the blame from Eva Smith to the father of her unborn child, she goes on to talk about how he should be “severely punished” before making him “confess in public his responsibility” this is extremely ironic as she doesn’t want to take responsibility until she realizes her son is the father of the unborn child whom she is responsible for
How is the theme of class presented?
Mrs Birling dismisses Eva’s Story as she doesn’t believe a girl of “that sort” would refuse money. This is because of class stereotypes when realistically Eva actually puts her morals first in refusing to take stolen money
