An Inspector Calls Flashcards
QUOTE - “A man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own” [Mr B]
- sums up capitalism (business > you > others)
- “has” - gives no choice for freedom
- “business” - work or personal (irony - Birlings’ business exposed throughout play
QUOTE - “These girls aren’t cheap labour - they’re people”
- cheap labour vs. People - capitalism vs. Socialism
- “cheap labour” - business workers, sex workers
^ capitalism dehumanises people - when Gerald has an affair, he has no punishment but Mr B tells Sheila to calm down
QUOTE - “If we had been responsible for everything that happened to everybody we’d had anything to do with, it would be very awkward, wouldn’t it?”
- links to responsibility (Eva, literally anything)
^ not expecting to take responsibility so they treat everyone irrelevant like objects
QUOTE - “First, the girl herself … Secondly, I blame the young man who was the father of the child… he should be made an example of” [Mrs B]
- dramatic irony - wouldn’t say it if she knew the “young man” was her son
^ morality? None in capitalism 🔥
QUOTE - “I wasn’t in love with her or anything - but I liked her - she was pretty and a good sport” [Eric]
- shows patriarchy, especially as a rich man in 1912
^ objectification of women - “good sport” - uses Eva/daisy for a good time (sex!), they move on after - shows privilege (rich in 1912!)
QUOTE - “We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other” [inspector]
- “one body” - their pain is your pain
^ “responsible” - quote is against everything the Birlings are about - capitalism 😒
QUOTE - “The point is you don’t seem to have learnt anything” [Sheila]
- power of socialism - can transform shy character to someone very vocal about beliefs
- Sheila speaks for the people with no voice (Eva, lower class, women (especially in 1912))
- Birlings don’t take responsibility - power of capitalism is too strong
QUOTE - “One Eva Smith has gone… but there are millions of Eva Smiths intertwined in our lives… if men don’t learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish” [inspector]
- “fire and blood and anguish” - WW1 (its 1912) or hell
- no law crimes, only moral crimes
QUOTE - “When you’re married, you’ll realise that men with important work to do sometimes have to spend all their time and energy on their business” [Mrs B]
- Mrs B knows her role in the patriarchal, capitalistic society
^ teaching her children this ideology
QUOTE - “Clothes mean something quite different to a woman”
- how men use women (e.g Eric + Gerald for sex)
- how society viewed women (looks affected respect towards women)
THEME - how is class presented in AIC?
Class
Defines characters
Clear structure
Class = everything?
Class shouldn’t matter?
Actions more important
THEME - how is age presented in AIC?
Age
Old = out-dated and out of touch
Young = different and responsible
Gerald = oldest young person
Age means nothing
Young can change
THEME - how is gender presented in AIC?
Gender
Heteronormative
Woman = seen not heard
Men = power
Young women challenge this
Stereotypes broken by the end
THEME - how is judgement presented in AIC?
Judgement
Morality play
7 deadly sins
Omniscience / power of Inspector
Lesson at the end is most important
Young = moral
THEME - how are life lessons presented in AIC?
Life lessons
Some never learn
Arrogance of old prevents change
Young try to change
Ignorance was bliss
Sins all around
THEME - how is responsibility presented in AIC?
Responsibility
Mr Birling = no
Mrs Birling = no
Gerald = no
Sheila / Eric = yes
Main focus of Inspector
Priestley promotes socialist ideas
Anti-capitalist
CHARACTER - how is Mr Birling presented in AIC
Mr Birling
Pleased with life
Ambitious capitalist
No responsibility
Wants control
Anxious underneath
Powerful language
CHARACTER - how is Mrs Birling presented in AIC
Mrs Birling
Proud of status
Mr B’s ‘superior’
Strict standards
Superficial charity
Doesn’t change
Has her mind made up throughout
CHARACTER - how is Sheila presented in AIC
Sheila
Different to family
Childish at first
More mature later
Moral standards
Changed by Inspector
Becomes like the Inspector
CHARACTER - how is Eric presented in AIC
Eric
Deeply troubled
Troubles are foreshadowed
Hiding something
Lacks self control
Consequences
Villain & victim?
CHARACTER - how is Gerald presented in AIC
Gerald
Eligible bachelor
Future is bright
A natural Birling?
No regret
Thinks he’s innocent
Not just bad/good
CHARACTER - how is Inspector Goole presented in AIC
The Inspector
Goole/Ghoul?
Omniscient
Authoritative
Different world
Classless
Priestley’s mouthpiece
CONTEXT - what context does AIC link to
Class divide - upper mistreating lower
Capitalism vs Socialism - Mr B vs Inspector
World events - Titanic (dramatic irony)
