Inspector Goole Flashcards
1
Q
“sharp ring” - Act 1
A
- Priestley uses the doorbell to signal dramatic tension between opposing political value systems
- Deliberate structural technique
- The “sharp ring” of the doorbell is used to increase the tension and as an abrupt prelude to the inspector’s arrival
- It also represents the contrast of two political ideologies. Birling is in the middle of his speech expounding the virtues of Capitalism and at the peak of his egotistical speech when the door-bell rings
- This foreshadows how The inspector will introduce a more socialist ideology that “everybody has to look after everybody else” and will break down Mr Birling’s ideology
- Adjective sharp = urgencies to stop Mr birling spreading propaganda
2
Q
“need not be a big man but he creates …. an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness.” - Act 1
A
- Triplet of adjectives exemplifies the presence of the inspector and foreshows how he disrupts the hierarchical structure of the house. It is almost as if each adjective elevates him above Mr Birling
- The list of 3 shows his assertive nature and implies that he is robust
- The adjectives “massiveness” and “solidity” has connotations to togetherness this conveys a sense of unity this shows how the inspector represents the people and also reflects Priestley’s ideas that we should be responsible for each other
- Hints at the inspector’s imposing character
3
Q
“He speaks carefully, weightily, and has a disconcerting habit of looking hard at the person he addresses before actually speaking” - Act 1
A
- The way in which he speaks “carefully weighty” is unnerving and fits the idea of the characters being ‘inspected’ and scrutinized. It also contrasts with the chatter at the dining table compared to the forcefully selected words of the inspector.
- Shows how he doesn’t care about social class
4
Q
“Burnt her inside out, of course” - Act 1, social class
A
- Use of harsh language shocks the audience and disrupts the celebratory, polite. playful atmosphere at the start
- The Blunt nature of the way the Inspector revealed the death of Eva catches the Birling’s off- guard = shows how the upper class are shielded and turn their backs against the atrocities faced by the working class
- Also shows how the Inspector is unwilling to treat the Birlings differently due to their social class
5
Q
“Because what happened to her then… what happened to her afterwards and what happened to her afterwards” + “A chain of events” - Act 1, social responsibility
A
- Use of anadiplosis to make the sentence inextricably connected is emblematic of how our lives are “intertwined” with everyone else’s, promoting socialist ideologies
- This idea is further enforced by the noun ‘chain’ which shows how the Birlings all “help” to lead this girl into a horrible demise. It may also depict the heaviness and imprisonment of the ‘events’ with Eva, showing how it weighs down the entire family
6
Q
“But after all it’s better to ask for the earth than to take it.” - Act 1, social responsibility + class
A
- Inspector deconstructs Birling’s ideology and ingeniously rephrases his very own words, manipulating the very meaning to shock Birling with his own hypocrisy as well as the hypocrisy of capitalism
- Verb “take” sounds quite aggressive and reflects the middle/upper classes enforcing their materialistic entitlement
- Suggests that the upper class just take money through exploitations – paints them as criminals
- Noun ‘earth’ represents a huge planetary body, the entirety of our existence, which shows that the upper/middle classes feel as though they are entitled to more than their fair share, whilst the lower classes are exploited in order to give this to them
7
Q
“I don’t play golf.” - Act 1, social class + responsibility
A
- Response to Birling assuming dominance over the inspector through his use of contacts
- Golf was normally played by the wealthy. This shows that the Inspector’s integrity and that he is above bribery
- This also shows that Birling is challenged by the Inspector.
- This also shows his disassociation with the rich and emphasises the Inspector’s ability to make rational and fair judgements of each character’s actions, regardless of their social status
8
Q
“A nice little promising life there, I thought, and a nasty mess somebody’s made of it.” - Act 1, social responsibility
A
- The juxtaposition between “promising life” and “nasty mess” emphasizes how vulnerable Eva was
- “A” could show that she isn’t the only woman to be destroyed by people like the Birlings
- twisting Mr Birling’s words against him, makes a mockery put of him
- The scornful reply reveals the trivial nature of Mr Birling’s concerns compared with Eva’s death
9
Q
“(cutting in, massively)” - Act 1
A
- Verb “cutting”, gives an impression of the Inspector removing any power that the Birlings have, allowing Priestley to voice his ideas more vociferously through the Inspector’s mouth
- Adverb “massively” highlights the power and authority he has over the Birlings and his refusal to be intimidated by their social class.
- He is presented as omniscient.
- Allows the audience to believe that socialism is morally higher than capitalism
10
Q
“(searchingly at them) Well?” - Act 1
A
- Last words before the curtains close- cliff-hanger – build anticipation in the audience
- Highlights how he is in control of the situation
11
Q
“You think young women ought to be protected against unpleasant and disturbing things?” - Act 2, Inspector to Gerald, social class + gender inequality
A
- Use of irony here highlights the hypocrisy of the upper class and displays how differently women are treated in different classes
- This challenges the audience current views on class
- Gerald demonstrates the Edwardian view that a woman should not be tainted by unpleasant, worldly truths, whiles the Inspector holds a more modern view whiles also pointing our class hypocrisy
- Ironic = even though Gerald thinks that women should be protected, he took advantage of Eva
12
Q
“We’ll have to share our guilt.” - Act 2, social responsibility
A
- Through this quote, Priestley urges for the need for cooperation, community, and social justice in society = wants to influence the contemporary audience you have just come out of war to build a new socialist society
- The collective pronouns “we” and “our combined with the verb “share” = emphasises the need for community
13
Q
“(coolly) we often do on the young ones. They’re more impressionable.” - Act 2, younger gen vs older gen
A
- Subtle message from Priestley to the audience that they younger generations are more able to change their views to more socialist one and therefore make the world a better place
- Younger generation willing to learn from mistakes
14
Q
“(sharply) your daughter isn’t living on the moon. She’s here in Brumley too.” - Act 2, gender + class + social responsibility
A
- Metaphor highlights how detached the upper class, particularly upper class women, are detached from the harsher aspects of life
- The adverb “too” accentuates the importance of how everyone is responsible = Priestley reinforcing the message of social responsibility
- Adverb “sharply” would have shocked the contemporary audience, as during the time the play was set, people were meant to treat social superiors with respect
15
Q
(massively) Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges. - Act 2, social responsibility + class
A
- Adverb massively = The inspector addresses Mr Birling in an assertive tone, showing his domination and greater role of power over the situation
- Through the inspector, Priestley highlights how the idea of power and responsibility go hand in hand and urges the people in a position of authority in the audience to carry out their duty of responsibility
