Edna

Question 1

Give a quote showing edna role

Answer 1

“Edna the parlour-maid is just clearing the table”

Question 2

How does Priestly show hierarchy is important?

Answer 2

Interestingly, while Priestly explains how the set should be and introduces the characters,Edna is the last to be mentioned Hierarchy s a key concept within An Inspector Calls. It could be argued that it is what drives the main characters actions. Priestley immediately
establishes that Edna is at the bottom of the hierarchy and not of any real importance in the eyes of the Birlings and Gerald.

Question 3

Analyse “parlourmaid”

Answer 3

He does this by describing her as ‘the parlourmaid’, emphasising the fact that she is only seen as her profession; the audience is given no details about her
appearance or personality because they don’t need to know.

Question 4

What does the repetition of “sir” suggest?

Answer 4

. The repeated use of ‘Sir’ when talking to Birling is a reminder of how stark the class divide was at the beginning of the 20th century.He, however, calls her by her Christian name but not out of friendliness - it is a way of reinforcing that he is the boss and that she is disposable.

Question 5

What does Edna call mr birling/

Answer 5

“sir”

Question 6

Analyse “Please, sir, an inspector’s called”

Answer 6

When Edna announces the arrival of the Inspector it is as though she is heralding in an opportunity for change. It is the people like Edna who would benefit the most from the Birlings learning the Inspector’s lesson; her life could improve vastly.

Question 7

How is edna treated?

Answer 7

Note that Birling is abrupt with her ‘Don’t know him.’ This is not a conversation and there are no niceties - Birling wants this exchange to be over quickly so he can get back to his pleasant evening so he speaks in fragments. He uses unmitigated imperatives with her: ‘Show him in’ and ‘Give us…’.

Question 8

Give a quote showing Edna is not important

Answer 8

‘Show him in’ and ‘Give us…’.

Question 9

What is the purpose of Edna

Answer 9

Edna is another example of the invisible working class and she helps to create an impression of the Birling’s wealthy lifestyle. Edna illustrates the themes
of inequality, power,responsability and class

Question 10

How does the inspector arrival allow edna to not become submissive?

Answer 10

Therefore she is allowed a seldom moment away from her docile obedience and delivers the Inspector into the room readily, even stopping the Birlings from finishing their conversation.