An Inspector Calls Flashcards
I accept NO blame for it AT ALL.
MRS BIRLING Act 2
use of two negative phrases “no” & “at all” reflect her inability to accept guilt
not quite at EASE
ERIC
stage directions Act 1
EASE (ADJECTIVE) hints he has something to hide
half SHY, half ASSERTIVE
ERIC
stage directions Act 1
adjectives imply he has low self-esteem but wants to express his own thoughts and beliefs and not just those of parents
BUT these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people
BUT – SHEILA is disagreeing, showing her growth into an independently thinking adult who isn’t afraid to question the beliefs she has been taught.
But these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re PEOPLE
PEOPLE –Unlike a lot of the upper class, who dehumanised the working class and viewed them as a separate species, SHEILA shows with this word that she understands that the poor are no different to her.
You were the wonderful FAIRY PRINCE.
FAIRY PRINCE metaphor – SHEILA is showing how cutting and sharp she can be. Her sarcastic use of language from a child’s storybook shows the huge contrast between the expected actions of the fairy-tale hero and Gerald’s own, more selfish behaviour towards Eva.
He’s giving us rope so that we’ll HANG OURSELVES.
HANG OURSELVES – echoes of suicide which reminds the audience of Eva Smith’s fate.
Rather than literally killing themselves, the Birlings will destroy their own reputations instead.
Priestley uses this METAPHOR to imply that SHEILA fully believes that she and her family are responsible for their current misfortune and not the Inspector.
I KNOW I’m to blame and I’m desperately sorry.”
KNOW – verb shows that SHEILA is not attempting to deny her responsibility. She is not asking a question but stating a fact. She is not looking for reassurance.
I know I’m to blame and I’m DESPERATELY sorry.”
DESPERATELY adverb – shows the depth and sincerity of SHEILA’S regret and remorse.
You’re beginning to PRETEND as if nothing’s really happened at all. And I can’t see it like that.
PRETEND – verb implies that SHEILA is the adult in the situation, facing reality, whereas her parents are like children playing ‘pretend’.
You’re beginning to pretend as if nothing’s really happened at all. And I CAN’T see it like that.
CAN’T – verb shows that even if Sheila wants to pretend everything is ok, she can’t do it. She knows too much now.
It didn’t seem like anything too terrible AT THE TIME.
AT THE TIME - phrase is important as it shows how much Sheila has learned since the Inspector entered. When she behaved in this way she was sheltered and therefore unaware of the impact she would have on Eva’s life. Now she knows better.
