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English Literature > An Inspector calls: Characters > Flashcards

An Inspector calls: Characters Flashcards

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1
Q

What quotes will be used in Sheila’s character essay?

A

1st para
* ‘Really feel engaged’
* ‘Pretty?’

2nd para
* ‘But these girls aren’t cheap labour - they’re people’
* ‘Sheila gives a short hysterical laugh​’
* ‘Oh - how horrible’
* ‘Mother, I think that was cruel and vile’

3rd para
* ‘It was my own fault’
*‘You don’t seem to have learnt anything’

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2
Q

Give a summary of what will be said in Sheila’s character essay in paragraph 1 / Immature, Naïve?

A
  • Superficial engagement to please parents
    —> Based on materialism & capitalism
    —> Physical token of ring to ‘really feel engaged’
  • Sheila’s grief was due to her looks - ‘pretty’
    —> Demonstrates warped view of the world (value of someone’s life dependant on superficial characteristics)
    —> Social classes @ the time
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3
Q

How does the quote ‘pretty’ demonstrate ‘social classes’ at the time in Sheila’s character essay?

A

Those who r rich can afford things to make someone look more ‘pretty’ - makeup & nice clothes

Lower class has less value than the upper

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4
Q

Give a summary of what will be said in Sheila’s character essay in paragraph 2 / Moral?

A

‘But these girls aren’t cheap labour - they’re people’
—> Instantaneous recognition of the Inspector’s message - responds to father’s dehumanising capitalistic approach to business

‘hysteria’
Utilised as a means to control women
—> unfeminine traits were a symptom of hysteria

‘mother - I think that was cruel & vile’
She develops a moral compass and criticises her family whether she thinks their actions are right or wrong

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5
Q

What does the plural noun ‘girls’ demonstrate in the quote ‘But these girls aren’t cheap labour - they’re people’ in Sheila’s character essay?

A

Sheila’s empathy as she can relate to the patriarchal oppression the women at the time face

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6
Q

How does the word ‘hysteria’ demonstrate ‘gender stereotypes’ at the time in Sheila’s character essay?

A

The word served as a method to force women to adhere to predefined gender roles
—> Prevented women from attaining positions of power

Sheila’s laugh symbolises her rejection for Mrs Birlings treatment of Eva

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7
Q

Give a summary of what will be said in Sheila’s character essay in paragraph 3 / Responsible?

A

She accepts responsibility

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8
Q

How will Sheila’s character essay be structured?

A

1st para: Immature/ Naïve/ Lacks independence
2nd para: Moral
3rd para: Responsible/ becomes like the inspector

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9
Q

What quotes will be used in Arthur Birling’s character essay?

A

1st para
* ‘Heavy looking’
* ‘She’ll make you happy’
* ‘Older and bigger’
* ‘Hard-headed businessman’

2nd para
* ‘Lord Mayor’
* ‘Very good chance of a knighthood’
* ‘provincial speech’

3rd para
* ‘provincial’
* ‘nonsense’
* ‘eagerly’ or ‘triumphantly’

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10
Q

Give a summary of what will be said in Arthur Birling’s character essay in paragraph 1 / Capitalist?

A
  • He is the embodiment of the capitalist ideology
    —> Physical clothes represent capitalism (quotes)
  • Mr Birling values Sheila’s capacity to further the family company - objectifies her as a bargaining chip
    —> He values the prospect of increased profit over his daughter’s joy in engagement
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11
Q

Give a summary of what will be said in Arthur Birling’s character essay in paragraph 2 / Insecure about social status?

A
  • Mr Birling comes from humble beginnings - ‘provincial in speech’
    —> Constantly reminds people of his status in society. Uses (‘Lord…’ & ‘knighthood’) to remind Gerald of his social status
  • Relative uncouthness is preyed upon by Mrs Birling
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12
Q

What are Priestley’s intentions of introducing Mr Birling’s social insecurity in Mr Birling’s character essay?

A

It becomes synonymous with Mr Birling - he is a member of the nouveau riche

Looked down upon higher class men who come from an aristocratic background
—> Social divisions existed even in higher classes
—> Seen as an imposter by many above him in societal rankings

Critiques capitalism to reveal the cycle of oppression - caused by classism

Selfishness driven by determination to uphold his appearance of affluence

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13
Q

How does Priestley use Mr Birling’s insecurities to affect the audience?

A

By focusing on his insecurities & the middle-class he establishes a connection w/ middle class contemporary audience
—> By exploiting the genuine insecurities they faced

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14
Q

Give a summary of what will be said in Arthur Birling’s character essay in paragraph 3 / Irresponsible?

A
  • Gerald’s theory of the inspector not being real is (quotes) accepted by Mr birling
    —> Instant catharsis is felt by Arthur - doesn’t have to face a criminal conviction
  • Younger vs older generation
  • He is a literary foil of the inspector
    —> Inspector = social responsibility & Mr birling = avoids responsibility
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15
Q

How will Arthur Birling’s character essay be structured?

A

1st para: Capitalist
2nd para: Insecure about social status
3rd para: Irresponsible

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16
Q

What is catharsis?

A

Relief from strong emotions

17
Q

What quotes will be used in Mrs Birling’s character essay?

A

1st para
* ‘leave you men’

2nd para
* ‘wretched business’
* ‘didn’t belong to [Eva’s] class’
* ‘with dignity’
* ‘deserving cases’

3rd para
* ‘cold woman’
* ‘I didn’t like her manner’
* ‘Eric, I’m absolutely ashamed of you’
* ‘Well, I don’t blame you’ - ‘I’m ashamed of you as well’

18
Q

Give a summary of what will be said in Sybil’s character essay in paragraph 1 / upholding patriarchy?

A

Mrs Birling initiates their exit - announces it is time to ‘leave you men’
—> She maintains the patriarchal status quo = leads her to become complicit in her own oppression - inflicts this upon her & Sheila

19
Q

What are Priestley’s intentions of Mrs Birling and Sheila going into the drawing room in Sybil Birling’s character essay?

A

He accurately depicts of domestic life in the early 20th century
—> It was the convention at the time for women to go to drawing room & men can discuss politics & news (not considered suitable topics for women)

20
Q

What are Priestley’s intentions of Using Mrs Birling as a symbol of the upper class in Sybil Birling’s character essay?

A

Upper class who resisted the suffrage movement in 20th century
—> She views the suffrage movement as undermining traditional gender roles which will lead to domestic chaos (in her view)
—> Her privileges are at risk

Priestley uses her view to demonstrate how women should have moral & domestic roles AND exclude themselves from the political realm of men

21
Q

Give a summary of what will be said in Sybil’s character essay in paragraph 2 / Hypocritical?

A
  • She is a prominent member in a women’s charity
    —> Priestly presents her as morally hypocritical
  • ‘deserving’ - Reveals her joy in playing god w/ women’s young lives - whether they receive aid or suffer
    —> Also highlights how aid is given out at the discretion of the upper classes
22
Q

Give a summary of what will be said in Sybil’s character essay in paragraph 3 / cold?

A
  • ‘Cold woman’ - even to her children
    —> concerned w/ how they behave instead of welfare
  • Mrs Birling expresses her disappointment in her son (quote)
    —> She hasn’t accepted responsibility
    —> Remains unsympathetic to Eric - despite refusing aid to her granddaughter to-be’s mother
  • Provides no comfort to Sheila when she feels insecure about her marriage
    —> How marriage is somewhat like a transaction
23
Q

How would the audience feel to Sybil being cold w/ her children in Sybil Birling’s character essay?

A

Shocked as parents are seen as a figure of comfort and love for their children

24
Q

What could the lack of empathy to Sheila’s insecure marriage demonstrate about Mrs Birling in Sybil Birling’s character essay?

A

Could highlight her own insecurity in her own marriage & how Mr Birling may have potentially been unfaithful to her

25
Q

How will Sybil Birling’s character essay be structured?

A

1st para: Upholding patriarchy
2nd para: Hypocritical
3rd para: Cold

26
Q

How will the Inspectors character essay be structured?

A

1st para:
2nd para:
3rd para:

English Literature (13 decks)

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