An Inspector Calls Flashcards
1
Q
When was it first performed?
A
1945
2
Q
Context for J.B Priestley
A
- Grammar school education
- Raised around proud socialist and this cemented his socialist views
- War made him realise that social inequality had consequences
- AIC was based in the 1912 before the wars but seen after the wars
3
Q
“Still I cannot take any responsibility”
A
- Mr Birling
- Social Responsibility / class / Older generation
- Disgusted with taking any accountability even though he should set an example for his kids but he doesn’t. Believes his actions are irrelevant to what is going on. Doesn’t want to be accused of making a mistake
- Modal verb ‘can’t’ suggests accepting the blame is against his nature
- Upper Class didn’t have to take accountability for their actions as they would be able to throw money at the situation in order to avoid the consequences
4
Q
“Naturally I don’t know anything about this girl”
A
- Mrs Birling
- Class prejudice / responsibility / social class
- She vouches for innocence before she hears who Eva Smith is
- The adverb “naturally” implies she automatically above suspicion due to her social standing. she believes that her life is separate to Eva Smith so she cannot be involved. This is situational irony, as her involvement is soon revealed. Priestley thus challenges the way the upper classes assume their own innocence to avoid responsibility.
5
Q
“There are million and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths”
A
- Inspector Goole
- Social responsibility
- This semantic field of connection dismisses all the societal divisions, including class and wealth, that people such as the Birlings used to avoid responsibility. Priestley shows that, ultimately, we are all the same. Shared responsibility is the inevitable outcome of living side by side.
- Repetition of millions emphasises his point that Eva is representative of many others.
6
Q
“a man has to make his own way - has to look after himself - and his family”
A
- Mr Birling
- Class / Older generation / social class
- He believes that their class in society is more important than his own family. The listing shows the importance of things in life. Selfish and lacks compassion for others and encourages narcissism
7
Q
“We are members of one body”
A
- Inspector Goole
- Social responsibility / class
- No matter their background they all need to work together in order for everyone to succeed. a sense of community no matter the class
- “One” shows unity and that they all must come together as one and all take accountability. They have been a distant family as no one knew what everyone had done.
- religious imagery
8
Q
work “together” with Crofts Limited “for lower costs and higher prices”
A
- Mr Birling
- Exploitation / Wealth and materialism
- He wants to make sure that he is able to earn as much money as possible even if that is dehumanizing someone.
- “together” in this context shows that he only wants to feel as a community and as “one” and in unity when working and exploiting people, mainly women
9
Q
“I wasn’t in love with her or anything - but I liked her - she was pretty and a good sport”
A
- Eric
- Exploitation / gender
- Which shows how he used her to satisfy his own sexual desires.
- By describing her as “pretty and a good sport”, Eric objectifies her. She is presented as prey or something to be conquered rather than a willing participant. Here, “Good sport” implies she only tolerated him.
- Young men’s were justified and normalized which lead to an increase in women being exploited.
10
Q
‘I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty.’
A
- Eric
- Exploitation / gender / social class
- Young men’s were justified and normalized which lead to an increase in women being exploited. This could suggest that Eric has done this before.
- The adjective “nasty” suggests that he did was grotesque and inhumane.
- Context women were exploited constantly to fulfil a majority of not only upper class men but also working class men’s sexual desire
11
Q
“Everything is alright now, Shelia. What about this ring?”
A
- Gerald
- Gender / Exploitation / Responsibility
- Even after his past actions, he tries to manipulate Shelia into marrying him. He is trying to show that he has gotten away with it and that he has type of power of Shelia as Shelia loves him and it is unsure if that is reciprocated. He also doesn’t want to take responsibility so he ignore the situation entirely
- “Ring” - Cyclical structure. They are still unwilling to take responsibility so things like this will continuously happen . Shows that Eva was apart of the the unity the ring represents. Maybe Eva was always the outcast.
12
Q
“the famous younger generation who know it all. And they can’t even take a joke,”
A
- Mr Birling
- Generations
- This is a microcosm for how the older generations have perceived the younger generations throughout the play. The younger generations were celebrated for being the future, but Mr Birling suggests they don’t “know it all”. He doesn’t take them seriously, and thinks they are weak and oversensitive. Priestley uses this
final exchange to suggest the generational divide can never be resolved, but it is up to the younger generations to correct the mistakes of their parents. The older generations will be stuck in the past. - The mockery = doesn’t see them as equal or close to his level
13
Q
“The money’s not the important thing. It’s what happened to the girl and what we all did to her that matters”
A
- Eric
- Generations / Responsibility / Wealth and Materialism
- By rejecting “money” and focusing on Eva Eric rejects capitalism and classism - the values of his elders. Shows the younger generation as social responsible and the caring generation
14
Q
“Now I really feel engaged,”
A
- Shelia
- Wealth and Materialism
- Implies a material possession is needed for the engagement to be real. The gift of a ring is the thing that connects her to Gerald, rather than love. Priestley presents the issues of a society that places too much importance on physical possessions.
15
Q
“It’s you two who are being childish - trying not to face the facts”
A
- Shelia
- Generations
- Sheila recognises her parents’ faults. Priestley uses irony to expose the lack of responsibility and immaturity of Mr and Mrs Birling, as Sheila (the child) labels her parents as “childish”
