An Inspector Calls Flashcards
Introduction for ‘An Inspector Calls’
When considering the ways in which Priestley presents [question topic] in ‘An Inspector Calls,’ it is crucial to emphasize that all the characters serve as dramatic vehicles illustrating the detrimental effects of entrenched social divisions. As a prominent social commentator, Priestley wrote the play as a political diatribe critiquing Edwardian society and its capitalist ideologies. Although written in 1945, the play is set in 1912, allowing for the inclusion of dramatic irony tarnishing capitalists as foolish and inferior thus reinforcing the need to transition to a socialist community.
*then add a sentence that links to the question
Lighting for ‘An Inspector Calls’
Priestley strategically uses the dramatic technique of lighting to convey a message to the audience about the..
‘pink and intimate’
‘pink’
has connotations to warmth and love therefore it suggests that there is a happy family occasion that brings a sense of enjoyment
‘intimate’
Furthers reinforces the family’s enjoyment and shows how close they are with each over
Alternatively it could suggest that they see the world through ‘rose tinted glasses’ this idiomatic phrase shows that they are oblivious to the plight of the proletariat.
Illustrating that they are living in a façade where they only care for themselves and their status.
‘brighter and harder’
‘brighter’
Heavenly connotations suggests that the inspector is a force of good. It can also be seen as a turning point in the Billings life’s as the inspector is here to disrupt and change their perspective on life eradicating all capitalist beliefs and exchanging them for more suitable socialist ones.
Alternatively, the brighter and harder light can be seen as if a spot light is being put on the family and the inspector will pressure and interrogate them. Exposing their secrets.
‘brighter’ could also signify the hope for the younger generation to change.
Inspectors final speech
“taught it in fire and blood and anguish”
Polysyndetic list highlights the prolonged consequences to their actions. The dawn out effect of the list suggests that they will have drawn out eternal punishment
At the time Edwardian society was highly religious so the idea of eternal hell would be petrifying to the Birlings
It cuts to the heart of Priestley message, this idea that Edwardian society, which is deeply decided has within it, the roots of its own instability, which if society does not change and become more socialist then another war will happen and if it doesn’t change then more wars will keep happening until ‘men’ change.
Shows us that the inspectors message is that if we don’t reject capitalism and start celebrating socialism we are going to be in a never ending cycle of war.
‘anguish’
illustrates the severe repercussions of failing to learn the lesson of social responsibility
Mr Birling
‘unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable’
uses dramatic irony to highlight his naivety and misplaced certainty. It also shows how untrustworthy his political views are.
“Unsinkable”- highlights his flawed judgement and foreshadows his eventual humbling
‘like bees in a hive- community and all that nonsense’
shows his disagreement with socialist views and preference for individualism
It is significant that Priestley chose the comparison to ‘bees’- a small, working class animal. This reinforces how Mr Birling sees the lower classes as insignificant. However with out them, society would not be able to function.
“nonsense”- reflects his arrogance and refusal to acknowledge the importance of social responsibility
‘yes, yes horrid business’
reflects his dismissive attitude towards Eva Smith’s death and lack of responsibility
“horrid”- shows his reluctance to engage with the moral implications of his actions
Eric
’half shy, half assertive’
The repetition of ‘half’ could suggest to the audience that Eric’ character is not fully formed and that he is still young therefore he still possesses time to change.
The adjective ‘shy’ shows how he is outcasted by Mr Birling and as a consequence will have little input during the inspectors arrival, discouraging the audience to make an initial judgement on Eric.
However the adjective ‘assertive’ implies that he has a dark, unkind side that his parents are unaware of but is later show in the play.
’My god!’
This immediately upfront response shows the audience that Eric is in shock. This strongly juxtaposes with his father’s dismissive response: ‘yes, yes horrid business’. The shock Eric experiences highlights to the audience his innocence and how his parents have been, very much, in control of his life- showing how Eric is strongly influenced by their actions. This may lead the audience to sympathise with him.
’I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty’
He tried to displace his responsibility- using alcohol as an excuse for his later implied rape of Eva Smith.
His use of the third person, colloquial noun ‘chap’ distances him from the implied rape- presenting himself as a friendly young man.
’Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages? We try for the highest possible prices’
Priestley is suggesting that it is difficult for the ruling classes to change. Their sense of moral integrity comes into conflict with their parents. This collision between Eric’s personal believes and his parents capitalist ideologies cause him to drink too much yet it is also believed that his alcoholism could be from guilt.
Mrs Birling
’rather cold woman’’
This shows that Mrs Birling doesn’t want to be associated with people outside of her social class. It also suggests that she lacks compassion and care for those of the lower classes.
The monosyllabic adjective ‘cold’ shows how indifferent she is to the plight of the proletariat.
’girls of that class’
Priestley uses this to show that classism and capitalism are synonymous.
Mrs Birling uses ‘girls’ as a degrading term to make any person, particularly young socialists, look ridiculous to further emphasise capitalism as the righteous path in society.
’go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility’
This shows that while Mrs Birling acts as if she is superior to everyone else by commanding the Inspector, she is also presented as naive and incompetent due to her lack of knowledge and understanding.
She reinforces her son’s involvement as she commands the inspector to go and look for the father of the child.
Priestley uses dramatic irony as the audience, as well as Sheila, come to realise what is truly going on, before Mrs Birling.
Sheila
’pleased with life’
Shiela is portrayed as an egotistical, self absorbed character who has been shielded from the outside world.
It tells us that she has no real life experience and that she and her family are living in their own capitalist world while simultaneously ignoring the plight of the proletariat.
It also shows that she is young, happy and has no worries as well as idolising materialistic things.
’yes, go on mummy’
This clearly expresses her naïveté and child like demeanour as when in her mother’s presence, she almost always excitedly seeks her approval- further reinforcing her childishness.
’oh how horrible! Was it an accident?’
She has a playful, innocent demeanour yet this swiftly changes when she hears about Eva Smith’s death
This reaction presents her naïveté and inability to see the truth of what happens outside her social class.
’these girls aren’t cheap labour- they’re people’
The ‘b’ and ‘p’ plosive in cheap labour creates quite a harsh sound signifying how Shiela has realised the harsh and barbaric exploitation that is permitted by capitalist such as Mr Birling.
‘cheap’ typically connotes something of monetary value so it is interesting that although she is now recognising the immortalities of capitalism, these capitalist ideologies of viewing people in terms of money and status are still deeply ingrained in her mind.
