Inspector Calls

Question 1

How does Priestly present ‘responsibility’ as a theme?

Answer 1

The play shows how people are responsible for their actions and how their decisions can make terrible consequences on other peoples lives

Question 2

How does Priestly present ‘power’ as a theme?

Answer 2

The play shows that those people who are wealthy and have power are able to affect the lives of poorer people with little challenge.

Question 3

How does Priestly present ‘Rights of Wokers’ as a theme?

Answer 3

The play demonstrates that when workers do not have full employment rights they can be dismissed from their jobs easily and can’t fight back.

Question 4

How does Priestly present ‘Honesty and Truth’ as a theme?

Answer 4

The characters in the play all have to face the truth about the consequences of their actions although some find it hard to accept.

Question 5

How does Priestly present ‘Poverty and Wealth’ as a theme?

Answer 5

The play shows us that those who are wealthy have a responsibility to those who are poor in society especially when they employ them.

Question 6

Why does Priestly use a three act structure?

Answer 6

The first two acts each end with a dramatic moment of suspense keeping the audience interested and the play ends with the surprise phone call.

Question 7

Why does Priestly use language of characters?

Answer 7

The way each character speaks tells us a lot about what they are like, for example the Inspector speaks confidently and Eric sounds nervous.

Question 8

Why does Priestly use Time in the play?

Answer 8

The play uses time to create mystery because the Inspector comes to question everyone before Eva’s suicide and events begin repeating at the end.

Question 9

Why does Priestly use symbolism and imagery?

Answer 9

The Inspector uses the image of people being part of one body to show how every person depends on and is responsible for others.

Question 10

Why does Priestly use euphemisms?

Answer 10

The play is set a hundred years ago when people used euphemisms such as ‘women of the town’ (p. 34) to disguise the fact that they were referring to prostitution.

Question 11

When WW1 Broke out, what did priestly do?

Answer 11

He dropped out of university and joined the infantry because wanted to get a better feel of the world. (but later finished his university degree)

Question 12

When was ‘An Inspector Calls” written/performed?

Answer 12

1945

Question 13

When was ‘An inspector Calls” set?

Answer 13

1912

Question 14

What did Priestly become very concerned about in the 1930’s?

Answer 14

the consequences of social inequality in Britain

Question 15

What was the name of the political party that priestly set up? What did they argue?

Answer 15

the Common Wealth Party - which argued for public ownership of land, greater democracy, and a new ‘morality’ in politics.

Question 16

Why did priestly incorporate ww1 into the play?

Answer 16

Birling’s optimistic view that there would not be a war is completely wrong.
When the war ended in 1945, people were recovering from nearly six years of warfare, danger and uncertainty.

Question 17

Why did priestly incorporate social hierarchy?

Answer 17

Because there were strong distinctions between the upper and lower classes.
In 1945, there were strong distinctions between the upper and lower classes

Question 18

Why did priestly make Mrs. Birling so similar to Mr. Birling? Why are their views so traditional?

Answer 18

Women were subservient to men. All a well off women could do was get married; a poor woman was seen as cheap labour.
In 1945, as a result of the wars, women had earned a more valued place in society.

Question 19

Why didn’t Sheila or Eric laugh at the end of the play like the others?

Answer 19

The ruling classes ( as well as older generation) saw no need to change the status quo.
However there was a great desire for social change. Immediately after The Second World War, the Labour Party won a landslide victory over the Conservatives.

Question 20

Why did priestly set his play in 1912 rather than 1945, when it was written?

Answer 20

because the date represented an era when all was very different from the time he was writing. 
In 1912, rigid class and gender boundaries seemed to ensure that nothing would change. 
Yet by 1945, most of those class and gender divisions had been breached

Question 21

What was Priestly trying to say to the readers in 1945?

Answer 21

to seize the opportunity the end of the war had given them to build a better, more caring society, and to change everyone’s capitalist views.

Question 22

How does Priestly show that Arthur Birling is selfish?

Answer 22

He claims the party “is one of the happiest nights of my life.” This is not only because Sheila will be happy, but because a merger with Crofts Limited will be good for his business.

He wants to protect himself and his family. He believes that socialist ideas that stress the importance of the community are “nonsense” and that “a man has to make his own way.” This makes him selfish

Question 23

How does Priestly use Mr. Birling to send his message through?

Answer 23

He represents how the upper class frowned upon people below them in society.
Priestley wanted to encourage his audience to dislike Mr Birling and to see him as a fool – by rejecting the attitudes held by Mr Birling, Priestley’s audience could lead a better life.
Throughout the play, Priestley makes it clear that there is a consequence for every action. Through Mr Birling’s thoughtless actions of firing Eva Smith, Priestley portrayed the evil side of money and capitalism, as well as his dislike for capitalism due to the lack of care in society for the poor.

Question 24

What are key Mr. Birling quotes?

Answer 24

‘look forward to a time when Crofts and Birlings are no longer competing but are working together – for lower costs and higher prices. ’
‘Fiddlesticks! The Germans don’t want war. Nobody wants war.’
‘I can’t accept any responsibility. If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody we’d had anything to do with, it would be very awkward’

Question 25

What does the downfall of Mr. Birling look like?

Answer 25

Mr Birling has not changed by the end of the play – he refuses to learn/take on board the Inspector’s lesson. As a result, the play ends with another phone call and the announcement of a second visit – perhaps from a ‘real’ Inspector. Priestley may be warning his audience of the dangers of not learning the lesson (of social responsibility) themselves.

Question 26

What message is Priestly trying to convey through Mrs. Birling?

Answer 26

She represents the wealthier, privileged classes and their selfish attitudes.
She makes us see just how awful life was for the lower classes at this time

Question 27

What are key Mrs. Birling quotes?

Answer 27

‘But I think she had only herself to blame’
‘I’ll tell you what I told her. Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility.’
‘As if a girl of that sort would refuse money.’

Question 28

What does the downfall of Mrs. Birling look like?

Answer 28

She does not change at the end of the play – perhaps this is why ‘An Inspector Calls’ again, to try and make her change.

Question 29

What message is priestly trying to convey through Sheila?

Answer 29

She represents (with Eric) the younger generation – Priestley saw them as ‘more impressionable’ 
She gives the audience hope that their society can improve if people make changes and take responsibility.

Question 30

What are key quotes of Sheila?

Answer 30

‘But these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people.’
‘At least, I’m trying to tell the truth. I expect you’ve done things you’re ashamed of too.’
‘I know I’m to blame – and I’m desperately sorry’

Question 31

What does Sheila’s downfall look like?

Answer 31

She learns her lesson. She takes responsibility and changes; she also tries to encourage others to do the same.

Question 32

What message was Priestly trying to convey through Eric?

Answer 32

Conveys how the upper class abused their power over the working class
Sends hope for the future

Question 33

What are key quotes of Eric?

Answer 33

“Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages?”
“That’s the hellish thing - oh my god”
“We did her in all right.”

Question 34

What does the downfall of Eric look like?

Answer 34

he accepts responsibility, and like Sheila, feels very guilty about what he did. He is ashamed of his behavior and shows that he is capable of changing for the better. ‘The fact remains that I did what I did.’ Therefore, the audience is more likely to forgive him.

Question 35

What message was priestly trying to convey through Gerald?

Answer 35

He represents the selfish attitudes of the upper class.
He lets the audience down; we had hope that he would change his attitudes, but he doesn’t. It conveys how ingrained these attitudes were in the upper class, and how difficult it was to change them.

Question 36

What are some key quotes for Gerald?

Answer 36

‘I don’t come into this suicide business.’
‘I’m rather more – upset – by this business than I probably appear to be – ‘.
Everything’s all right now Sheila. (Holds up the ring.) What about this ring?’

Question 37

What does the downfall of Gerald look like?

Answer 37

He doesn’t change his attitudes, conveying how ingrained these attitudes were in the upper class, and how difficult it was to change them.

Question 38

What message was priestly trying to convey through the inspector?

Answer 38

He is Priestley’s voice – he represents Priestley’s strong moral views. His job is to make the characters change their attitudes, face up to what they have done and start taking responsibility for each other –

Question 39

What are some key quotes of the inspector?

Answer 39

But just remember this. One Eva Smith has gone - but there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths left with us’
We don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other’

Question 40

How does the inspectors character change?

Answer 40

Inspector Goole’s character doesn’t change. He always remains assertive throughout the play. However, he seems to gain more control over the characters as the play progresses.