Conflict Flashcards
Inspector - Conflict
- He controls them yet instigates the conflict, letting them fight before taking them back under his control. He also foreshadows the conflict that is going to happen between the family, as if he knows it is inevitable.
“(massively taking charge)”
When he enters, the lighting goes from being “pink and intimate” to “brighter and harder” - creates a sense of interrogation, shows audience that the rose-tinted lenses have been taken off - harsh realities are about to surface.
Inspector vs Mr Birling - Conflict
Traditional conservative family values are disrupted when Insp turns everyone against each other - clash between socialism and capitalism with Insp and MrB mirrors the clashes of 20th century Britain and shows the values Priestley wanted to put into his works. “we were having a nice little family celebration” “a nasty mess you’ve made of it now”
Distaste towards Insp “(with a touch of impatience)” as his evening has been disrupted - clear change in attitude when Insp enters.
“How do you get on with our chief constable.” - veiled threat towards Insp - MrB gets defensive as a response to blame
Eric vs Mr Birling - Conflict
clash between father and son - tensions between them from the start of the play
E questions his father and sides with the inspector, showing fundamental differences in opinions thta have caused deep-rooted clashes between them. mrB feels undermined in his own home and looks down on/patronises E. This conflict is only made worse after the Insp leaves and MrB and E can talk about E’s involvement with Eva
- “why shouldnt they try for higher wages?” “he could have kept her on”
- “You’re not the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble” - strained relationship
- “face a few responsibilities” “public school and varsity life” - even though it is something mrB has given E he still holds it over him, blaming him
- “some fathers i know would have had you out of the house anyhow by this time”
Inspector vs Mrs Birling - Conflict
MrsB refusal to engage works against her and sets her up for a worse and more dramatic fall. Insp is shown to lose his calm when he cross-examines her, flipping the previous dynamic on its head (Insp is collected, interviewee is frantic but now it is the other way around to a certain extent - MrsB is still agitated)
“I meant what I said” “I beg your pardon!”
“You’re not telling me the truth.”
“make an example of the young man, eh?” “I’m losing all patience with you people”
To enact justice, Insp will do whatever he needs to do, especially if it ends badly for the perpetrators
After Inspector leaves - Conflict
The wake of the Insp is also significant, leaving them fighting with each other without him there to help them along. Just as they begin to make up, they receive the phone call that eva is dead and this can only presumably lead to more conflict as it is evident that MrB, MrsB and G have not learnt from their mistakes and would likely do what they could to deny involvement again. Generational conflict is explored in this too.
“You’re the one i blame for this” - MrB shifts blame to E immediately after the Insp leaves (father/son conflict as well)
“Sheila’s right, it doesnt” make any difference if he was a real inspector or not
“I suppose we’re all nice people now”
“(shouting)” “(also shouting, threatening eric)”
