An Inspector Calls

English Lit GCSE

Theme of Age -Mr Birling- “Sheila’s a lucky girl.”

Implies that sheila should be grateful to have a higher class man like Gerald. Rather than Gerald being lucky to have Sheila. Mr B is downgrading his own daughter highlighting the dismissive nature of older generations towards the younger ones and their struggles.

Theme of age -Eric- “She’s right though.”

Agrees with Sheila.

Their family don’t care about what they have done regardless whether the Inspector was real or not.

Theme of age -Sheila- “She was very pretty too.”

Sheila admits she was jealous of Eva Smith which shows that before she acknowledges that the dress she wanted suited Eva better. “Too” implies Sheila is comparing herself to Eva. Feels threatened by her appearance.

Theme of age -Mrs birling- “I was the only one who didn’t give in to him.”

She says this proudly after the Inspector leaves.

Bragging.

Mrs B lacks empathy and stubborness is used as a victory to her.

She fails to see the truth or refuses to see it.

Theme of responsibilty -Mr Birling- “As if we were all mixed together like bees in a hive.”

Mr B doesn’t believe in community.

He thinks he can only look after himself and his business.

Everyone else has to fend for themselves in his eyes.

He will be the saviour to no one but his own skin

Responsibility -inspector- “We are members of one body.”

Connected like a single human “body”

We can only rely on each other to survive.

Contrasts to Mr B’s views.

“we” collective.

The importance of collective responsibilty

Symbolic voice of morality

Sounds like a sermon in a church (religion)

Moral authority.

Responsibilty -Sheila- “But these girls aren’t cheap labour- they’re people.”

Shows responsibility.

People aren’t nothing, everyone has value no matter who they are

“People” restores dignity, humanity and individual identity that capitalism takes away from the working class.

Responsibility -Gerald Croft- “I didn’t install her there so that I could make love to her.”

Didn’t intend on beginning a relationship with her

He implies he simply wanted to help her.

He shows compassion.

Responsible as if he was any other upper class man he would have left her with Alderman Meggarty instead he helped her and gave her happiness even if it was only for a short time. He gave her hope where she wouldn’t have had that if he hadn’t had helped.

Priestley’s key intentions

To reciprocate his views of socialism towards the audience.

He wants the world to progress with everyone having equal rights and that those with more power/ wealth should help those who need it rather than keeping it all to themselves.

He wanted to prove that society functions best when people take collective responsibility for one another

Adj to describe Sheila

Petulant

Entitled

Materialistic

Assertive

Reflective

Socially aware

Adj to describe Eric

Sensitive

Remorseful

Emotional

Adj to describe Gerald

Arrogant

Compassionate (towards eva)

Respected

Adj to describe Mrs B

Authoritative

Conservative

Self-righteous

Adj to describe Arthur

Complacent

Snobbish

Self- absorbed

Adj to describe Goole

Omniscent/omnipotent

Intimidating

Dominant