Time Flashcards
Time
Setting
Set in 1912, strong social divisions, class prejudice was common, enhances equality message, written after both world wars, Mr Birling’s claims are humorous ‘isn’t a chance of war’ certainty emphasises dramatic irony, ignorant, Priestley is against war, uses Inspector ‘fire and blood and anguish’ destruction could be prevented
Time
Tension
Inspector arrives after Mr Birling says ‘look after himself’ ironic as about to be held accountable, taught social responsibility, interruption shows importance of message, one line of enquiry at a time unveils chain of events slowly, time to reflect, links actions together, symbolic, cliff hanger ending, repetition of beginning, stage directions show facial expressions ‘they stare guiltily and dumbfounded’ hasn’t been resolved, could try to cover up and lie again or be more moral, question on whether people and society can change for the better
Time
Inspector
Omniscient, knows each character’s previous actions ‘Mrs Birling saw her only two weeks ago’ builds pace and suspense, revealed he wasn’t a part of the police, suspicious to know all that he did, also knew the future ‘A girl has just died’ phone call at end, mysterious