An Inspector Calls Flashcards
5 THEMES
- responsibility
- gender
- age
- class
- who is the inspector (ghost??voice of priestly??voice of god??voice of our conscience??)
CONTEXT ||| 1912 |||
BEFORE WW1
class system rigidly in place
Women in an inferior position to men
CONTEXT ||| 1945 |||
WRITTEN AND PERFORMED IN 1945
WW2 ending
Class system more relaxed
Women with greater rights
CONTEXT ||| PRIESTLYS POLITICAL BELIEFS |||
SOCIALIST
was involved in setting up the Labour Party
THE WELFARE STATE
strongly believed in it, and that everyone has social responsibility
MRS BIRLING
description of the character
- snob
- prejudice
MR BIRLING
description of the character
- proud
- arrogant
- selfish
- social climbing
INSPECTOR
description of the character
- systematic
- authoritative
- mysterious
GERALD
description of the character
- attractive
- aristocratic
- genuine feelings
BUT - fails to change
ERIC
description of the character
- self conscious
- guilty
- frustration
- sense of responsibility and compassion
SHELIA
description of the character
- compassionate
- genuine
- childlike
BUT - progresses in maturity
- perceptive
- sense of responsibility and compassion
“I suppose we’re..”
”..all nice people now”
I SUPPOSE WERE ALL NICE PEOPLE NOW
“it’s my duty..”
”..To ask questions”
ITS MY DUTY TO ASK QUESTIONS
“I say there..”
”..isn’t a chance of war”
I SAY THERE ISNT A CHANCE OF WAR
“Shelia don’t..”
”..talk nonsense”
SHEILA DONT TALK NONSENSE
“There are millions and…”
”..millions of Eva smiths and john smiths left with us”
THERE ARE MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF EVA SMITHS AND JOHN SMITHS LEFT WITH US
‘The telephone…’
’..rings sharply’
‘THE TELEPHONE RINGS SHARPLY’
“No Thankyou mr..”
”..BIRLING I’m on duty”
NO THANKYOU MR BIRLING IM ON DUTY
“Two hours ago a woman..
”..died in the infirmary [••] suicide of course”
TWO HOURS AGO A WOMAN DIED IN THE INFIRMARY [••] SUICIDE OF COURSE
CONTEXT ||| TITANIC |||
12TH APRIL 1912 TITANIC SINKS
an inspectors calls is set in the spring
HISTORIC IRONY
QUOTES FOR ARTHUR BIRLING
act 1 and 2
” portentous man “
•• round, result of his lifestyle••
‘wife’s social inferior’
” I can’t accept any responsibility “
” I ought to warn you that he’s an old friend of mine “
••trying to threaten , power struggle••
QUOTES FOR SYBIL BIRLING
Act 1 and 2
” rather cold woman “
” I accept no blame for it at all “
” I think she had only herself to blame “
” I blame the young man “
QUOTES FOR SHEILA BIRLING
Act 1 and 2
” pretty girl “
” pleased with life and rather excited “
” but these girls aren’t cheap labour - they’re people “
••first human response••
” he’s giving us the rope so that we’ll hang ourselves “
QUOTES FOR GERALD CROFT
Act 1 and 2
” attractive chap “
” man about town “
••can afford to be••
” we are respectable citizens and not criminals”
QUOTES FOR ERIC
Act 1 and 2
” not quite at ease “
” half shy, half assertive “
QUOTES FOR INSPECTOR GOOLE
Act 1 and 2
’ (cutting through massively) ‘
••taking control••
” Yes, but you can’t. It’s too late. She’s dead “
” well have to share our guilt “
ACT 1 SUMMARY
BIRLING - titanic, war, engagement
interrupted by doorbell
Interrogation of Birling
Interrogation of Shiela –> GUILT
ACT 2 SUMMARY
Starts exactly the same as scene 1 ended
interrogation of Gerald –> CONFESSION
inspector becomes harsher
Interrogation of mrs Birling–> WONT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY
Shelia sides with inspector
Realisation Eric is the father
ACT 3 SUMMARY
Interrogation of Eric –> STRESSED / WORRIED
sense of urgency for answers
Eric’s confession –> “hellish thing”
Inspectors exit speech –> “taught in fire, blood and anguish”
Uncertainty amongst the group
Eric and Sheila the only ones accepting responsibility –> TAKING ADULT ROLL
final phone call
