An Inspector Calls

Question 1

Eva smith

Answer 1

Through the character of Eva smith,priestly explores the way in which male Edwardian society demonised the so called ‘fallen woman’

Priestly also charecterises the unseen character of Eva smith as a victim of Edwardian capitalism as his play critiques the lack of socialism in the pre war years

Eva smith represents an everywoman character in priestly morality play,with the inspector warning the billing’s of the moral consequences of ignoring their responsibilities to Eva and others like her.

Question 2

Inspector( intro)

Answer 2

In an inspector calls (1945) Priestley uses the character of the inspector as a vehicle through which he can present his own socialist views
Better to ask for the earth than to take it
Lighting should be pinker and intimate until the inspector arrives when it will become brighter and harder
We don’t live alone.we are members of one body .we are responsible for each other

Priestley presents the inspector as a powerful antithesis to Arthur Birlings’s complacent bourgeois capitalism and acts as a moral voice within the play,extracting the confession of the birlings
A man has to look mind his own business and look after himself and/ we hear the sharp ring of the doorbell,birlimg stops to listen
Each of you helped kill her ,never forget it,but then I don’t think you ever will

Priestleys morality play follows the conventions of Eugene scribes well mad play, until the final scene in which he departs dramatically from this structure and reveals the inspectors mysterious supernatural nature
Inspector goole
Burnt her insides out
Public men ,Mr billing,have responsibilities as well as privileges
One Eva smith has gone but there are millions and millions and millions of Eva smiths … and I tell you that the time will come soon when ,if men will not learn that lesson ,then they will be taught in fire blood and anguish

Question 3

Inspector

Answer 3

In an inspector calls Priestley uses the character of the inspector as a mouthpiece through which his own socialist views can be expressed for him to critique the Edwardian lack of compassionately
Through the staging of the play,Priestley presents the inspector as a powerful antithesis to Arthur birlings complacent bourgeois capitalism and acts as a moral voice within the play ,extracting the confessions of the birlings
In fact,through the structure of the play,Priestley presents the inspector as a ghost like avenging angel ;priestleys morality play follows the conventions of Eugène scribes well made play until the final scene in which he departs dramatically from this structure and reveals the inspectors mysterious supernatural nature

Question 4

Context

Answer 4

Well made play-Eugène scribes
3 act play with a problem
Release of information via series of secrets being released

Ouspenskys theory of eternal reoccurrence 1933
Cyclical nature of time,each person was repeating their life again and again improving morality each time until they achieve salvation,birding’s are trapped within the play