AIC stuffs Flashcards
Eva smith Intro
- Eva smith is intersectional, represents experiences of groups such as women, the working class, and how these identities overlap.
→She is a vaguely described, vague and not a ‘round’ character as whenever she is mentioned it is through the words of another. (photos, name changes)
Eva smith P1
- Eva smith is intersectional, represents experiences of groups such as women, the working class, and how these identities overlap.
→She is a vaguely described, vague and not a ‘round’ character as whenever she is mentioned it is through the words of another. (photos, name changes)
P1: Symbolic of the working class people
- “She was one of my employees, and then I discharged her”
→ uses “discharged” rather than ‘sacked’ as a euphemism suggesting that he is attempting to hide the fear that his actions may have indeed led to her death, and that his action was a matter of business.
- Mr birling told them (the ringleaders) to “Clear out”
→ “She had a lot to say- far too much, so she had to go”
→ No trade unions or welfare state, rich owners could wait for the strikers to be near starvation.
→ could sack any worker without a reason- as people’s survival depended on the upper-middle class factory owners, they would often threaten workers so they would be less likely to make demands.
Eva smith P2: Symbolic of women. She was exploited by both Eric and Gerald- and her pregnancy ultimately meant she could not live live her desired life
- Exploited for sex by Eric and gerald. Her pregnancy ultimately means she could not carry on living her desired life.
- “she looked young and fresh and charming”
→ polysyndeton highlighting all her positive attributes- ideas of youth and freshness highlights her innocence and vulnerability.
→ Additionally, “looked” highlighted the overvaluing of beauty- something that rich men during the patriarchal era believed they deserved. They believed women were subservient to men. Gerald’s first impression therefore shows how women were treated. She seemed “altogether out of place”, but is only noticed because of her outward beauty. Would she have been given help had she looked different? - “soft brown hair and big dark eyes- (breaks off) - ‘My god!’
- “she only escaped with a torn blouse”
- “if she didn’t want any more of that sort of thing, she’d better let me take her out”
Eva Smith P3: She is used to reveal the differing values between different generations
- “we were having a nice family celebration tonight, a nasty mess you’ve made of it now, haven’t you”
→ rebutts with “looking at what was left of eva smith… promising life there, I thought, and a nasty mess somebody’s made of it”
→ “what was left of eva smith” emanates a strong sense of pathos.
→ The Inspector’s line acts as an antithesis or chiasmus to Mr birlings; along with the parallel structure of “nice” and “nasty mess”, it highlights the selfishness of Birling’s focus on his “family celebration” over the death of Eva smith. - “but these girls aren’t cheap labour, they’re people”
→ aside from Sheila and Eric, the others dismiss the workers as “cheap labour”. It seemed only possible to see the girls as humanised, or dehumanised. To the upper middle class, it was oftentimes the latter.
Inspector goole Intro:
- In ‘An Inspector Calls’, the Inspector is presented as a mouthpiece of Priestley’s socialist views.
→ He has Godlike qualities and exposes the Birlings and their actions
→ undermining them to strengthen Priestley’s message of collective responsibility.
Inspector goole: p1
- The Inspector controls the structure of the play from the moment he is introduced to the audience as well as the Birlings- particularly within the stage directions.
→ Though there is ambiguity in whether or not Eva/Daisy is one person, he constructs a single chronological narrative of what happened to her and what the Birlings did to contribute to her demise (“one person and one line of inquiry at a time”).
→ This reflects the way that Priestley wants to create a dramatic effect (by giving the audience more time to focus on each character’s wrongdoings) so that the negative perceptions of what the Birlings (who share the complete opposite views to Priestley) did are maximised. - Furthermore, the Inspector has a sense of authority over the Birlings,
→ shown by him ‘cutting through’ and being described as a ‘Godlike figure’- giving him more credibility as his omniscience over the Birlings’ actions makes him seem right. - The stage directions of “the lighting should be pink and intimate until the Inspector arrives, and then it should be brighter and harder” in the beginning of the play shows the power of the Inspector as he is metaphorically casting light on their secrets;
→ the ‘brighter and harder’ emphasise that they have no way to hide from what they have done and their views through rose-tinted glasses have ended.
Inspector goole p2
- Whilst Mr. Birling has capitalistic views, the Inspector directly challenges him. He often manipulates Mr. Birling’s words to fit his views-
→ this is shown when Birling says “we were having a nice family celebration tonight/and a nasty mess you’ve made of it now, haven’t you?” and the Inspector rebutts with “a nice little promising life there, I thought, and a nasty mess somebody’s made of it”.
→ The use of antithesis and chiasmus to reverse Mr. Birling’s thoughts highlights how selfish the Birlings are- further painting them in a negative light to strengthen the Inspector’s views of socialism. - In addition to this, the Inspector is the one who constantly pushes the idea of collective responsibility onto the Birling family;
→ he tells them “what happened to her then may have determined what happened to her afterwards, and what happened to her afterwards may have driven her to suicide”
→ the repetition of the modal verb “may have” implies that there could potentially still have been a chance for Eva/Daisy to not commit suicide.
→ However, it does not change what the Birlings did and ultimately their actions still matter even if the consequences were different.
Inspector goole
- At the end of the play, the Inspector realises that the Birling parents seem to still not have learned their lesson, ignoring his multiple warnings.
→ His last speech states that “there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us” - further emphasising that though Eva Smith was wronged by them, they still have the opportunity to change before they are “taught it in fire and blood and anguish”.
→ Eva not only has biblical connotations relating to Eve and links to the Inspector having Godlike qualities,
→ but also along with “John” is one of the most common names and represents the general working-class male. - ‘Taught’ implies that if the Birlings do not actively choose to admit their wrongs and take responsibility for their actions, they will be forcefully punished.
→ What happens at the end of the play when the doorbell rings is a lesson to the audience that if they choose to ignore what the Inspector (Priestley) has been trying to teach, they too will suffer the consequences.
Eric Birling p1
P1: Irresponsible and immature
- Eric is described as “not quite as ease, half shy, half assertive”.
→ This uncertain sense of character foreshadows his later actions being hidden from his family.
→ Only “half” is what he presents himself as, and the truth is the other half.
- he hides things from others because he doesn’t want others to know his lack of control. When questioned, he says “Yes I remember - (but he checks himself)”. When asked again, he replies “nothing”.
→ the 3 secrets he hides are
1. The heavy drinking
2. Having got a prostitute, Eva smith pregnant
3. He steals from his father’s business - “(suddenly bursting out) little party… I’ve had a few drinks, including rather a lot of champagne”
→ escalation from “little” and “a few” to “rather a lot” - “I wasn’t in love with her or anything - but I liked her - she was pretty and a good sport - ”
→ thinks its a game
Eric Birling p2
P2: Is treated like a child
- “Eric suddenly guffaws. His parents look at him.”
- “Mrs Birling: He’s just talking to my son, Eric, who seems to be in an excitable silly mood.”
→ refuses to treat him like a drunken adult
- Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility.
Eric Birling P3
P3: Shows glimpses of hope, seems to want to change.
- “The fact remains that I did what I did and mother did what she did and the rest of you did what you did to her”
→ repetition of “i did” -> inspector’s goals
- “it doesn’t alter the fact that we all helped to kill her.”
→ however doesn’t represent truly good morals: takes partial, benefits in the collective
Gerald P1
P1 - Associates much more with the older generations’ ideals, even though he is younger.
- Mr Birling says: “and we’re in a time of steadily increasing prosperity”
→ responds with “I believe you’re right sir”
→ respect with the goal of marrying his daughter
- Treats Sheila like a child, much like Mrs. Birling would
→ “she’s had a long, exciting, and tiring day”
- Stereotypical, controlling and dominant man
→ “You can drink to me”
→ ‘can’ suggestion- though short sentence like instruction
Gerald P2
P2 - Doesn’t actually harm Daisy, but shows the power dynamic that the upper class had on other- especially u.c men towards women
- Can be hypocritical
→ “You think young women ought to be protected against unpleasant and disturbing things?”
→ ultimately doesn’t protect her- he only does this when it is convenient for him.
- Tries to justify himself when he has no choice but to reveal the truth.
→ “nearly any man would have done”
→ “I wasn’t telling you a complete lie.. We were very busy.”
Gerald P3
P3 - Gerald doesn’t change
- Gerald brings up that “there’s no more real evidence we did than there was that that chap was a police inspector”
→ Strays away from what he has done, and instead what is happening to them
- “We’ve no proof it was the same photograph and therefore no proof it was the same girl.”
→ focus on proof
Sybil Birling
P1 - Mrs birling is of higher social status
- “her husband’s social superior”
→ she corrects her family’s etiquette
- Sheila says “squiffy” and Sybil responds “Sheila! What an expression”
→ stop use of slang
