ANALYSIS OF PLAY

Question 1

Who is Inspector Goole and what does he represent?

Answer 1

• An imposing, omnipotent, ‘Inspector’ who is used to highlight the issues of society

.

• A mouthpiece for Priestley’s own socialist views

.

• He doesn’t develop or change as he
  doesn’t need to.

Question 2

Who is Shiela Birling and what does she represent?

Answer 2

• The selfish & materialistic attitudes of middle class women due to way they are sheltered from realities of life.

.

• (Sheila adopting a socialist ethos) : Represents the hope for the future generation to be capable of change

.

• Represents the changing roles of women

Question 3

Who is Eric Birling and what does he represent?

Answer 3

• Comment on the behaviour of young wealthy men who are infantilised and neglected by their parents.
  –> which leads to them seizing power where they can find it. (eg. with protsitutes and alcahol consumption)

-

• Represents common views (of the time) of working class women as there for ‘fun’.

-

• Represents the younger generation/potential of change

Question 4

Who is Mrs Birling and what does she represent?

Answer 4

• Represents the older generation.

-

• Represents the idea that upper classes are unfeeling, entitled, judgemental and prejudiced

.
.- The idea that upper class women use charities and organisations for their reputation rather than actual help.

.

• Upper class women infantilise and invalidate their children
  –>and only do good for their social image/reputation

Question 5

Who is Mr Birling and what does he represent?

Answer 5

• Represents the Capitalist ethos and
  the world of business : As foolish and cruel.

.

• Represents the patriarchal structure
  of Edwardian England.

.

• Represents the older generation. -> and their resistance to change/ dismissal of new ideas.

Question 6

Who is Gerald Croft and what does he represent?

Answer 6

• Engaged to Shiela and son of a lord.
  .
• Used to criticise entitlement & privilege enjoyed by aristocratic upper classes.

–> Has the self-centered/detached attitudes of these classes

.

• The idea that upper class will always resist change.
  –>[Has compassion (suggests there is hope). But refuses to change his ways]

Question 7

What sins do each of the Birlings and Gerald represent?

Answer 7

Mr Birling: Greed

Mrs Birling: Pride

Eric: Gluttony/Lust

Shiela: Envy/Wrath

Gerald: Pride/Lust

Question 8

What kind of play structure is “An Inspector Calls?”

Answer 8

• A Morality Play : A play that aims to teach the audience a lesson.
  .
• Usually has characters that embody/commit the 7 Deadly Sins who are punished.
  .
• The morality play ususally has characters who repent and redeem themselves.

Question 9

Why did Priestly use a Morality Play structure on ‘An Inspector Calls’?

popular in the 15th and 16th centuries

Answer 9

• Priestly can preach his beliefs about social responsability, class, age, ect.
  .
• The audience is invited to judge the characters and question their own behaviour
• Hopes audience leaves as better people

Question 10

Why does Priestly use Tragic Conventions for his play?

A style created by Shakespeare

Answer 10

• A tragedy is a type of play that focuses on human suffering and starts well and only goes downhill to a bad ending.

–> Start of play is a happy engagement party (suggests that it can only get worse)
.
.

• Includes villians, noble characters, character flaws, and serious topics.

Question 11

How does Priestly present Capitalism vs Socialism in this play?

Answer 11

• Uses Mr Birling to present Capitalism as:
  –> Foolish, arrogant, prejudiced and cruel.
  Uses dramatic irony to reinforce this concept.

.

• Uses Inspector to present Socialism as:
  –>Intelligent, well informed and compasionate and powerful