Inspector Calls character Flashcards
Who is mr birling
He is described as “heavy looking, rather portentous man in his middle fifties but rather provincial in his speech”
He is proud of his achievements. He wants to merge with Crofts Limited as it it will be good for his business this will happen at the party
He is said to be extremely selfish and wants what is good for him
Key quote that describes mr birling in act one
“A hard headed practical man of business” (he is taking about himself)
What does it show about mr Birling when he tells his children to behave before his possible knighthood
It shows that he is worried about his reputation which shows that he want to be seen in a good light and doesn’t want anything to come in his way
Inspector Goole who is he?
He is a figure of authority. He deals with each member of the family very firmly and several times we see him “massively taking charge”
How is inspector google described in entry
“An Impression ob massiveness, solidity and purposefulness.”
“He is a man in his fifties, dressed in a plain darkish suit.
“He speaks carefully, weightly and has a disconcerting habit of looking hard at the person he addresses before actually speaking”
“But after all its better to ask for the earth than to take it”
You don’t ask you don’t get so if Eva asked for a higher wage if she didn’t ask she wouldn’t get it
“You think young women ought to be protected against unpleasant and disturbing things “
It agrees with he idea of women bing weak and fragile saying that they need to be protected because of their gender and how females are meant to be not as mentally or physically strong as men
Who is Sheila?
“A pretty girl in her early twenties very pleased with life and rather excited”
Daughter of Sybil/ Arthur young. In a relationship with Gerald
“But these girls aren’t cheap labour - they’re people”
Socialist ideas -people in the working class are still people not just workers for cheap money.
“If she had been a miserable plain little creature I don’t suppose I would have done it. But she was very pretty and looked as if she could take care of herself. I couldn’t be sorry for her. “ (act 1)
Try’s to defy / gets defensive when question by inspector
“Creature” suggests she doesn’t see her as a human like her more as a unimportant animal.
What was Sheila like in the beginning
- happy
- a capitalist
- naive
- spoilt
- engaged
- young
- no voice /choice
What was Sheila like in the end
- hysterical
- single.
- guilty
- judging parents
- upset
- changed mindset
- stood up for workers rights.
Who is Gerald?
Son of lord and lady Croft. Socially superior to the birling family and he works for crofts LTD.
“You seem to be a nice well behaved family” - Gerald act 1
He Laughing when he says this which could show smugness which supports the fact that he socially superior to the birlings
“So for god sake - don’t say anything to the inspector” -Gerald act one
He is socially superior shown by the fact that he is in control of the situation in hand however he could be hiding something from the inspector
