An Inspector Calls Flashcards
Priestley’s intent for AIC
A political diatribe critiquing society and more specifically capitalism as an ideology
Allegorical
A means of propaganda supporting the Labour Party and their socialist beliefs
Representation of Gerald
Embodiment of a hybrid of different themes including materialism, gluttony and lust, as well as the overarching theme of capitalism
How does Gerald’s actions reinforce his representation?
Guilty of lust
Dehumanises lower class women
Quote for Gerald’s dehumanisation of Eva
“I don’t come into this suicide business”
Profession or trade to make a profit from
Vocabulary associated with manufacturing or enterprise
Another quote that shows Gerald’s dehumanisation of Eva
“I didn’t install her there so I could make love to her”
When discussing his affair his language is troubling to the audience as he uses a lexical field synonymous with office work
Negative almost debase connotations when linked to sexual desire
What does he refer to lower class women as?
“[I hate those] hard-eyed dough faced women”
Emphatic, conveys hatred
Reference to the entirety of the WC; judgement made purely by physical appearance
Familiarity with prostitutes through vivid description
As the play progresses it seems that..
‘In a low troubled voice’
Fleeting moment, suggesting of emotional disturbance in his own role in the suicide
Stage directions ‘gravely’ and ‘hesitantly’ support this motion
We think he can dispel the boundaries between the two classes
However we realise that Gerald…
Conforms to his capitalist ways and firmly supports the tyranny of capitalism at the end of the play
Conveys how entrenched these upper class attitudes are
What does Gerald describe Eva as?
‘She looked young and fresh and charming”
Connotations of innocence and virginity
Gives ideas of food and fresh meat
Predatory or with an ulterior motive
“Man-about-town”
Idiomatic phrase suggest Gerald is a fashionable socialite
Plural connotations (1) foreshadows the unfaithful nature of Gerald as her literally goes about town and into the palace bar in the search of female companions
How does Priestley convey Gerald’s awareness of the upper class immorality?
He is conscious yet shows no desires to change
Condemns the actions of alderman Meggarty; clear desire to help, yet only to the extent of maintaining his own privilege and comfort, with his priorities at heart
How is the liminality of Gerald shown?
Intentional and deliberate ignorance; only recognises visible injustice as opposed to the institutionalised prejudice that the class system causes
Priestley’s intent for Gerald’s liminality
Gerald experiences guilt and has a conscience but tries to reason and manipulate it
Not an outright rejection of responsibility, but a manipulation of events to alleviate his responsibility and justify his actions
Condemns this and attempts to preclude it- change cannot be momentary or half-hearted
