An inspector calls - Context

Question 1

How is the book structured? What could this symbolise?

Answer 1

• a POLICE INVESTIGATION
• symbolises how each character should accept responsibility and be remorseful.

DOUBLE ENDING

• guilty people will never escape their responsibilities
• thinks it’s all over with no repercussions but it’s not
• may be ground hog day - will repeat until they change their views

Question 2

What are three big ideas surrounding GENDER in inspector calls?

Answer 2

1. working class women were the most vulnerable group in society and many people were prejudice against them 
"a girl of that sort would ever refuse money"

2. Gendered stereotypes and expectations of women and their behaviour were ingrained in society and enforced by men and women a like
3. women’s right were improving but people with power would stand in their way to prevent their power being shared.
   “you don’t seem to have learnt anything”
   “suicide and all that nonsense”

Question 3

when was the book set?

Answer 3

1912

when classes were completely separated

Question 4

when was the book written?

Answer 4

1945

• mixed classes
• equaliser
• during ww2 they fought and died together

Question 5

what era was AIC written in?

Answer 5

Edwardian britain

Question 6

explain how britain was divided in 1912

Answer 6

UPPER CLASS
- old, well known families
- owned land
- inherited family money
- titles like 'lord and lady'
MIDDLE CLASS
- earned own money 'self made'
- buy property
- educated
- wanted to gain power and influence
WORKING CLASS
- worked in physical jobs 
- no money or property
- often uneducated
- with no way to improve

Question 7

When was the play first performed?

Answer 7

in the Communist soviet union

Question 8

How was the ring a symbol in AIC?

Answer 8

• sexist attitudes and male oppression and ownership
• men are in control
  BUT
  -sheila gave it back showing that women are gaining more rights

“everything’s okay - now what about this ring?”
Shows how men desire for ownership and reluctance to allow women to change

Question 9

How is the titanic shown as a symbol in AIC?

Answer 9

the three layer representing the three classes

BIRLING - “unsinkable absolutely unsinkable” shows his belief that the class system will never collapse

DRAMATIC IRONY

• audience know that it sunk 1912
• As such priestly shows that the class system could disappear
• making birling look hyperbolic and ridiculous

Question 10

What is the context surrounding Gender in AIC?

Answer 10

• married for social status - women couldn’t further themselves in careers so did through married
• privileged women ran charitable institutions giving money to the needed to stop them feeling guilty
• labour strikes were becoming more popular
• the suffragette movement improved women’s rights

Question 11

when did women get the vote?

Answer 11

1918

Question 12

what was priestly’s view on socialism?

Answer 12

• committed to socialism wanting equal and to work together

- very critical of capitalism

Question 13

what are 7 themes in AIC

Answer 13

• Class divide
• Social status
• Generation Gap
• Capitalism
• Socialism
• Social responsibility
• Gender