🔵 An Inspector calls: Themes

Question 1

What key themes are explored in An Inspector calls?

Answer 1

• Responsibility
• Capitalism vs Socialism
• Generational divide
• Guilt
• Class
• Exploitation
• Gender

Question 2

How does Priestley explore the role of Gender in ‘An Inspector calls’?

Answer 2

Priestley explores the inequality between male and female characters the novel

—> Criticises the society’s suppression of women’s rights and the mistreatment of women in general

Question 3

Give some quotations in which the theme of Gender was explored:

Answer 3

• “I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty”
• “Several hundred young women”
• “I did keep a girl last summer. I’ve admitted it. And I’m sorry Sheila.”

Question 4

Who said the quote:

“I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty” ?

And in which act?

Answer 4

Eric Birling, during his confession

Act 3

Question 5

Write an analysis for the quote:

“I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty” ?

Answer 5

• He hints at the potential for sexual violence and reveals Eva did not want him to enter her room until he became ‘nasty’ and issued a threat
• Quote exposes the vulnerability of women who can be easily exploited by wealthy men like Eric

Question 6

Who said the quote:

”I did keep a girl last summer. I’ve admitted it. And I’m sorry Sheila.”

And in which Act?

Answer 6

Gerald, during his confession about having an affair with Eva

Act 2

Question 7

Write an analysis for the quote:

”I did keep a girl last summer. I’ve admitted it. And I’m sorry Sheila.”

Answer 7

• three-part list in this quote = he feels that it is all over and done with and he and Sheila can simply move on
• During his confession, Gerald he appears more concerned that his affair has been discovered, rather than having betrayed his fiancée

Question 8

Who overlooks Geralds confession to having a mistress?

Answer 8

Arthur and Sybil

Question 9

Write an analysis for the quote:

“Several hundred young women”

Answer 9

Mr Birling seess Eva as this. Suggests his workers have no value

Question 11

How does Priestley explore the role of Class in ‘An Inspector calls’?

Answer 11

• Uses characters in An Inspector Calls to criticise the inequality and unfairness of the British class system
• Argues that the privilege of class = blindness to their immoral behaviour

Question 12

Give some quotations in which the theme of Class was explored:

Answer 12

• “Girls of that class”

Question 13

Who said the quote:

“Girls of that class”

And in which Act?

Answer 13

Sybil Birling, directs it toward the Inspector

Act 2

Question 14

Write an Analysis for the quote:

“Girls of that class”

Answer 14

• Sybil = incorrect assertions about the working classes
  —> views them as morally and socially inferior
• Ignorantly links class with morality
  —> cannot believe Eva, as a working-class girl, would refuse stolen money
• Hypocritical stance = she overlooks her own selfish and immoral actions and others belonging to her class

Question 15

Give some quotations in which the theme of Exploitation was explored:

Answer 15

• ‘Several hundred young women’
• ‘was very pretty’
• ‘pretty and a good sport’

Question 16

Give some quotations in which the theme of Gender was explored:

Answer 16

• ‘Hysterical child’, ‘childish’
• ‘Mummy’ to ‘mother’
• ‘young and fresh’
• Gerald’s affair was ‘inevitable’

Question 17

Give some quotations in which the theme of Gender was explored:

Question 18

Give some quotations in which the theme of Social class was explored:

Answer 18

• ‘They’d soon be for the earth’
• ‘Girls of that class’
• ’