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“As of we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive-community and all that nonsense” act1 Mr Birling
Zoomorphism (human with animal qualities) employs to characterise society, particularly likening the lower classes to ‘bees’.Mr Birling hesitates before articulating the word “community”.this pauses emphasise his physical repulsion to the concept, suggesting an inability to even verbalise it.(vilified Birling).Priestly makes audience dislike/dispise Mr Birling. Mr Birling is an microcosm of capitalism indirectly we have a lot of hatred to Capitalism
“Public men,Mr Birling , have responsibilities as well as privileges” act 2 inspector
Syntax places responsibilities before privileges reflecting the direct order of importance emphasised by the inspector. Mr Birling inverts this sequence,prioritising privileges and materialistic gains over his responsibilities.short fragmented sentences “public men” followed by “Mr Birling” mirrors Mr Birling fragmented perception of responsibility and accountability for his explorative treatment of the lower class.he perceives his social status as granting him authority to dehumanise those beneath him
“There’ll be a public scandal” act 3 Mr Birling
Euphemistic language (subsituting it for a phrase less harsh).Doenst admit to grave crime,brands it as a “mere” scandal.He exacerbates (makes) his stubbornness as a representative of old vs young generation ,adamantly (strictly) refusing the o acknowledge the truth tells no remorse for his exploitation of Eva. His Jesus ranch to confront the crime ,perhaps driven by the fear that doing so would dismantle the carefully crafted facade he maintains for public perception. Stagnant character (stays the same)
“A heavy looking, rather portentous man in his middle fifties” stage directions act 1
Allows him to be a microcosmic representation of the older generation.”heavy looking” held weight for Priestley’s contemporary audience as a generation emerging from a period of rationing and war;a plumper frame was synonymous with affluence and indulgence.
His heaviness is deeply metaphorical-it is a physical assertion of the solidity of his status while at also standing to represent his hedonistic and undisciplined tendencies.
“Portentous” is used to expose the superficiality of capitalist-Birling is desperate to assert and justify his status showing he can only see value in wealth and status.
Priestly advertises capitalism as an ostentatious affair in order to satirise it
“The famous younger generation who know it all.And now they can’t even take a joke” act 3 Mr Birling
Irony- ironic that Mr Birling lables younger generation as know it all given that he himself is the only character who asserts to know it all referencing events like the ‘Titanic’ and dismissing concerns as ‘silly little war scares’. (Dramatic irony) Preistly deliberately set in 1912 to fragmentize (break) the know it all gen ignorance of the older gen. Priestley intention to repudiate (refuse to accept) the capitalist perspective held by their parents.speech is cut off. Abruptly interrupted by telephone,ecehoeing the earlier interruption by the inspector who inn Act 1. Priestley undermines by cutting him off.
“Hard headed practical man of business” act 1 Mr Birling
mr Birling stands to represent these affluent businessmen who callously took advantage of the suffering of war for financial gain.This reinforces how Priestley has constructed a political diatribe(price of text that criticises The politics) he is scathing of the paradoxes and hypocrisy in politics.
“A young unmarried girl (Sheila), is being dragged into this-“ mr Birling act 2
He also critiques the inspector at every opportunity, almost searching for his flaws and mistakes.The adjective ”unmarried” is used as an epithet (insult) of weakness of which emulates male arrogance , suggesting a woman ‘needs’ ‘arríate as a form of safety
“We are members of one body.We are responsible for each other”. Act 3 Mr Birling
The anaphora of the collective pronoun “we” directly contrast Mr Birling’s egocentric view. Concept of collectivism is dismissed by Mr Birling in act one through the simile “like bees Ina nice”. Mr Birling zoomorphises socialism to portray it as absurd and foreign.he educated his audience that socialism is in fact human ,perhaps why the methaphor of a ‘body’ is used to juxtapose Mr Birling’s previous animalistic simile.
“Husband, social superior” stage director act 1
Priestley satirises a society that allows human beings to be defined by their role or purpose within the class system.she is the only character that is not named.suggesting her social role dehumanise her and detached her from any sense of being.Priestley mocks her as she lives by these rules yet dehumanised by it
“Arthur you’re not supposed to say such things” Mrs Birling act 1
She is a marionette of her class she is complicit in upholding its conventions.she conditions her husband to do the same in saying trying to iron out any social faux pas (socially awkward or improper) so they operate seamlessly within the expectation of their class
“I think Sheila and I better go to the drawing room and leave you men” Mrs Birling act 1
She dismisses herself from the room.keeps up with patriarchal expectations.inferior women.conforms patriarchal norms.
“When you’re married you’ll realise” Mrs Birling act 1
She acknowledges that marriage is a process of enforcing and adopting different set of controls and norm.emphasises how her world view is largely based on her role as a wife.She isn’t a good mother because she is fixated on her reputation making her a good wife to Birling.she is q tool for Priestley to capture how marriage within the Edwardian era was a rite of passage- men would be permitted to exert newfound control over their wives,and women would shift to operate under a stricter degree of control.
“Sheila!What an expression!Really,the things you girls pick up these days!”
Her superficially driven codes of conduct are exposed as she cares more about speech and etiquette than morality.remorseless.Pre occupied with the idea of speech and how they are presented to society rather than how they are presented as individuals.The noun ‘girl’ shows Mr Birling belittles Sheila in order to dismiss her behaviour and portray it as foolish or uncouth(uncivilised)she reinforces the separation between the older generation who are robust to these newer ways of thinking and the younger ones that seem vulnerable to ‘pick[ing]’ them up as if they were a disease.
“She[enters,briskly and self confidently,quite out of key]” stage directions act 2
Her entry into act two: Her entry into act two is conducted entirely under the arrogance of her social superiority. Her ostentatious (showy) display of class renders her character discordant (not fitting) within the narrative of grief, remorse, and suicide
• This further exacerbates her emotional detachment, as she maintains the same [cold] demeanour observed in Act 1 which is the antithesis to the 'hysterical' and remorseful presentation of her daughter
Adverb 'briskly': The use of the adverb "briskly" indicates that Mrs. Birling is unwilling to pause and contemplate the adverse effects of her family's unscrupulousness (immorality) and exploitation
Her demeanour is conceited (vain) and calculated, typical of someone of her social standing who might typically navigate such situations effortlessly with rehearsed social grace.
However, she fails to realise that she will not remain unscathed (without suffering) for her and her family's irresponsibility this time
“[affecting great suprise],[smiling,social] and [same easy tone]” stage directions act 2
Conceited and calculated (plans the way she acts) she is well rehearsed in conducting her social behaviour,but this act fails to apply to the present situation they have found themselves.
“Girls of that class-“ Mrs Birling act 2
Dismiss them as an aggregate (meaning they are all grouped together as one) inferior group that all behave in the same way , her classist attitudes are apparent.
“He’s only a boy” Mrs Birling act 2
Priestley employs dramatic irony as Mr Birling absolves Eric from his behaviour while drinking- It seems he is far more than an innocent little boy, exposing Mrs Birling oblivion and ignorance ,even if her own children.
“I consider I did my duty” act 2 Mrs Birling
Her arrogance is overarching this is clearly irony as she in truth juxtaposed what would be expected of someone in a philanthropic (charitable) position. The noun “duty” could be a tool to explore the disparity in the perspectives of capitalist and socialist, for capitalist, upholding the class system was paramount for Mrs Birling her duty may be to uphold the class gap by refusing Eva help.”duty” is q noun echoes by both and Birling and the inspector also,which puts the definition uo for debate.
Noun “duty could be a tool to explore disparity on the perspectives on capitalist and socialist views
Mrs Birling is disgusted when Eva uses her name,calling it a “gross impertinence” act 2
We see her prejudice and egotism amplified at her disgust towards Eva.this seems hyperbolic as she merely used her name,which shows how highly Mrs Birling regards herself that she believes it is a great misconduct to insult her status
“No Eric- please - i didn’t know- I didn’t understand-”. Mrs Birling act 3
This is the closet remorseful we see Mrs Birling throughout the text,the staccato and fragmented speech depicts her inability to communicate regarding these unfamiliar,disreputable matters.The disrupted speech (employed by the commas)could emulate how she is trying to pause to be calculating in her response as she is preoccupied with the maintenance of her pristine reputation.
[triumphantly] act 3 Mrs Birling stage directions
Connote to the idea that Mrs Birling feels She has won a battle-she blatantly disregards the loss of innocent life and is only enthused that her pristine reputation won’t be compromised
[triumphantly] act 3 Mrs Birling stage directions
Connote to the idea that Mrs Birling feels She has won a battle-she blatantly disregards the loss of innocent life and is only enthused that her pristine reputation won’t be compromised
“He certainly didn’t make me confess”. Act 3 Mrs Birling
Overtly proud in her rejection of any responsibility for Eva Smiths death,and she feels that it is necessary to publicly assert this as a truth.The verb “confess” has connotation of crime,she asserts that she has not been unlawful in her actions to implicitly suggest she is not responsible.
Mrs Birling lexis here insinuates that admitting responsibility would be conceding to the inspector , which threatens her social role this she reluctant to do so.
“Yes,go on, mummy” and “You’re squiffy”. Act 1 Sheila
Representing how she is a disenfranchised woman-her lack of a voice could be utilised by Priestley to critique the lack of political voice woman had in the Edwardian Era.Her language remains infantile and childlike she refers to her mother as “mummy” - she’s been sheltered from the real hardships of life,resulting in her belligerent world.
“I was the only who didn’t give in to him” act 3 Mrs Birling
Portrays her distorted perception of pride, she boast about a lack of moral sensitivity which seems corrupt and callous.Priestley critiques how it is the insensitive echelons of society that conduct the most power. In terms of viewing, it is a morality play, this links Mrs Birling to the cardinal sin (7 deadly sin) of Pride, which is extended throughout the play.Her continuous pride in the final act, despite the circumstances, confirms her static character development.She fails to navigate the world outside of her egotism and pride.
Liberation through socialism “But these girls aren’t cheap labour -they’re people.” Act 2 Sheila
As girls connotes innocence and vulnerability,Sheila has recognised that upper class members of society exploit the innocence and vulnerability of the lower classes - one realisation the previous sheltered Sheila would have never come too. She shows disgust and rejection of capitalist dehumanising,deplorable and unscrupulous behaviour
“Yes,go on, mummy” and “You’re squiffy”. Act 1 Sheila
Representing how she is a disenfranchised woman-her lack of a voice could be utilised by Priestley to critique the lack of political voice woman had in the Edwardian Era.Her language remains infantile and childlike she refers to her mother as “mummy” - she’s been sheltered from the real hardships of life,resulting in her belligerent world.
Her realisation of the larger impact of capitalism “[rather wildly,with laugh] No,he’s giving us the rope- so that we’ll hang ourselves.” act 2 Sheila
“[wildly]” demonstrates how Sheila has become disillusioned with the ideas of capitalism:and the proper etiquette of the middle class. “Rope” has fibres that are all intertwined , this mimicking how Sheila has recognised that everybody in society is intertwined with ther responsibilities
similarity with Eva“ “Very pretty” (inspector) “young and pretty” (Gerald) Sheila act 1
Both females,regardless of class,are confined to the same oppressing expectations.Priestley uses the similarity of oppression,yet contrasting treatment in how Eva was exploited,and Sheila remained Privileged; individuals, regardless of class, are united in alternative ways-ones may not be aware of.may be providing a realistic alternative for classes to see their similarities beyond the clear distinction in their social classes.
Rejection of the patriarchy act 3 Sheila “No,not yet. it’s too soon. I must think “ Sheila act 3
Priestley utilises a cyclical structure through his play most visibility through and Inspector arriving at the beginning and the end. However, he also uses this through the cyclical presentation of Gerald and Sheila’s engagement. It would have been atypical at the time for a woman to be doubtful about marriage:even in the case of infidelity (cheating) and especially when their spouse belonged to a higher class as Gerald did
Liberation through stage direction “[hard and bright]. Sheila act 3
This symbolises how the Inspector has shown Sheila the [hard] and harsh reality of capitalism,in attempt to ‘bright’en her view in morality.
Liberation through socialism “But these girls aren’t cheap labour -they’re people.” Act 2 Sheila
As girls connotes innocence and vulnerability,Sheila has recognised that upper class members of society exploit the innocence and vulnerability of the lower classes - one realisation the previous sheltered Sheila would have never come too. She shows disgust and rejection of capitalist dehumanising,deplorable and unscrupulous behaviour
Liberation through socialism “But these girls aren’t cheap labour -they’re people.” Act 2 Sheila
As girls connotes innocence and vulnerability,Sheila has recognised that upper class members of society exploit the innocence and vulnerability of the lower classes - one realisation the previous sheltered Sheila would have never come too. She shows disgust and rejection of capitalist dehumanising,deplorable and unscrupulous behaviour
Understand for the omniscience of the inspector “you mustn’t try to build a kind between us and that girl.if you do, the Inspector will just break it down” act 2 Sheila
The metaphorical phrase of a “wall” serves as a symbol for the wall and barrier the Birling’s have created from the real world -they live in their [pink and intimate] lives filled with oblivion
Surprisingly Sheila becomes one of the shrewdest (sharp) characters,despite her earlier naive presentation
Acts as the inspectors proxy “What he made me feel. Fire and blood and anguish”. Sheila act 3
Precise repetition even of the polysyndeton on “and” - Sheila is desperately trying to reinforce the belligerent and relentless consequences of having no social conscience
Sheila provides a moralistic example for her family to follow,showing her development of empathy as she now “feels” remorse.
Priestley uses Sheila as a recipient of his message and his mouthpiece as she takes on the inspectors socialist ideologies.Thus Sheila becomes a symbol of hope for a 1945 audience ;ignorant and parsimonious (selfish) individuals in society are capable of repenting and reforming when provided with a moral example
Her realisation of the larger impact of capitalism “[rather wildly,with laugh] No,he’s giving us the rope- so that we’ll hang ourselves.” act 2 Sheila
“[wildly]” demonstrates how Sheila has become disillusioned with the ideas of capitalism:and the proper etiquette of the middle class. “Rope” has fibres that are all intertwined , this mimicking how Sheila has recognised that everybody in society is intertwined with ther responsibilities
Liberation through stage directions “father [protesting] and [scornfully]. Act 3 Sheila
Her open criticism to her fathers exploitative and dehumanising ways.she is gaining a voice and she’s using it to critique capitalism.
[half shy,half assertive] Eric act 1
Notices his father’s unscrupulous and inhumane treatment of others. He still lacks the moral fibre and conviction to act on these feelings
Comparison. Submissive and un east to more self assured and defiant “I’m ashamed of you as well” self assured
[half shy,half assertive] Eric act 1
Notices his father’s unscrupulous and inhumane treatment of others. He still lacks the moral fibre and conviction to act on these feelings
Comparison. Submissive and un east to more self assured and defiant “I’m ashamed of you as well” self assured
Silenced supporter of the class system “what about war?” Eric act 1
Notices his father’s unscrupulous and inhumane treatment of others. He still lacks the moral fibre and conviction to act on these feelings
Comparison. Submissive and un east to more self assured and defiant “I’m ashamed of you as well” self assured
Silenced supporter of the class system (Not too rudely)…We’ll drink to their health” Eric act 1
This abrupt statement elucidates (explains) Eric’s thoughts on the marriage; he recognises the absurdity of their marriage and sees that Sheila is being treated as little more than a bartering token for the powerful male businessmen to achieve “lower cost and higher prices”,dehumanising and disenfranchising her in the process.
Silenced supporter of the class system “what about war?” Eric act 1
Questioning yet retreats into his passive and operessed roles
“Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages? We try for the highest possible prices”. Act 1. Eric important!
The rhetorical question highlights how Eric is developing his “half assertive” side,due to the introduction of socialism, as he is directly questioning his father and not seeking to hear his ignorant point of view as a response.the alliteration on “possible prices” compounding how Eric has realised the exploitation that individuals like his father perpetuate in order to acquire more wealth.
Mr Birling the father “usual rates”
Mr Birling lives in a world of self imposed myopia.Eric exposes the abuse of power openly despite being to for running the company in the future.
Irony “look for the father of the child.its his responsibility” Mrs Birling (Eric) act 2
Myopic and egotistical world view the upper class possessed exempting their own social class from this scrutiny.Upper class harboured double standards
Eric’s actions and abandonment of facing responsibility is a microcosm for the coward nature of capitalism-one Priestley indicts
“Because you’re not not the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble-that’s why” Eric act 3
Monetary success does not equivalent or is not omnipotent,overt love and compassion. Priestley uses the scene mostly Eric and Mr Birling to highlight the futility of capitalism:Money garnered to impress others will plague your own home ironically the incessant entitlement that Mr Birling claims Eric has “been spoilt” with,has not morally corrupted Eric but sempiternally ruined Mr Birling
responsibility “Then-you killed her.She came to you to protect me-and you turned her away-yes” Eric act 3
The hyphenated I’m passionate speech shows Eric had found solicitude (compassion) for the life loss as a consequence of their ignorance
Priestley does qualify Eric for enlightenment as he becomes more outspoken in demanding justice
Priestley partially demonstrates himself as still being a man bound to his era despite his revolutionary ideas. His comparative lack of condemnation towards Eric,for what essentially amounts to the act of rape,is minicule when compared to his harsh condemnation towards the older Birling and their unbridled (uncontrolled) capitalism
“-she was pretty and a good sport-“ Eric act 3
Reinforces the depraviry of the mindset of high society is an activity for entertainment m- Eric saw woman as another mere entertainment to fill the empty void of his life with.Alcohol served the same purpose
Eric dis not deviate from the objectifying patriarchal views of his society -Eva was “pretty” confirming to the chauvinistic make perception that woman’s value does not surpass her exterior value
A fashionable socialite “the easy,well-bred young man-about-town “. Gerald act one
introduced. Gerald is incredibly self assured as he has NEEVR had a reason to question his social standing.”well-bred” highlights the antiquated (old fashioned)Edwardian social value-modern audience would associate more with animals such as pedigree dogs or horses
His affections for Sheila “might have done better” act one Gerald
For himself socially/ clear with Mrs B bring her husband’s social superior.slight ambiguity surrounding Gerald attitudes to this unbalanced marriage, he responds to Mr Birling’s discussion of it with embarrassment-embarrassed at the reality of his marriage being below his social level
Gerald appears genuine rather than Sheila being a commodity and a means of social bargaining
Misogynistic “he means I’m getting hysterical now” Sheila (Gerald act 2)
Feral Artemis to exclude Sheila from the conversation-Sheila is aware of this and exposes Gerald’s true intent. ,
Notion of hysteria: that was a means of discrimination against woman it was falsely perceive as a diagnosable disorder to disregard woman and silence them both politically and socially.Geralds colloquial reference to this displays him asa misogynist even to his own wife
Misogynistic “woman ought to be protected against unpleasant and disturbing things” Gerald act 2
In a pseudo-heroic manner (trying to act like a saviour), Gerald agrees that ^^
Hit only us this repressive and patronising but it is also laced with irony as he willingly exposes Eva.expolits her sexually and emotionally and it undermines everything he says
Denying responsibility “sucide buisness” Gerald act 2
Euphemisms Eva’s death through the insensitive noun of business.He can only think about her death in this euphemistic way to protect himself from grief.
This vocational (relating to employment) semantic field continues throughout Act Teo through phrases such as “install her” and “in return” the rhetoric of finance concenrning his affair makes it seem like a transaction,thus could reflect the wider societal flaws at the time how almost relationships were corrupted by a preoccupation with mine and wealth
spared by the inspector “at least had some affection for her [Eva] and made her happy for a time” Gerald act 3
Audience respect so insoeleecors ominoscience and mirror his views-provides an opportunity to applaud Gerald’s somewhat philanthropic (charitable)behaiviour towards the working class and encourages this
Dismissive “Everything’s all right now,Sheila. (Holds up the ring.) What about this ring?” Gerald act 3
“Ring” is metonym for marriage displays Gerald’s materialistic view marriage-it ignores any sense of emotion or love.He reverts to this symbol of traditional power and possession in order to reassert himself;he finds comfort in the ingrained societal beliefs which make life “easy”.glimmer of hope is shattered from the audience
Exposing the inspector “(slowly) That man wasn’t a police officer” Gerald act 3
The stage directions “slowly” allow him to regain power and assert himself over everyone else in the room.he is now all of a suddenly the omniscient one and gaining back is power is easy for him.
[plain darkish suit] stage directions act 1 inspector
He carries an air of mystery as he is dressed in a simplistic way.it doenst suggest of him belonging to a particular social class,thus making him enigmatic(mysterious)- the characters in the play are all defined by their class physically
a poignant message he shares critiquing Mr Birling directly is “it’s better to ask for the earth than take it”. Inspector act 1
The syntax “ask” prior to “take” is used by the Insoector to highlight the order of importance that is required for society to be collectively responsible.We just “ask” and share opposed to the capitalist ideas of “taking” to benefit oneself.
The idea of to “take” connotes to “steal” an idea that is scorned in the bible as it is mortal sin. As Edwardian era was highly religious the religious teachings would be seen as integral to society.
“As if she was an animal,a thing,not a person” inspector act 3
Triple simile.
The beatific image on “an animal” highlights their blatant disregard of her humanity through their dehumanising and exploitative treatment.
Neglectful verb “thing” intensifies how,as she belonged to a lower class,she was not regarded with any form of compassion as a living thing.
“Fire and blood and anguish” inspector act 3
He appears prophetic (knowing about the future), paired with his biblical allusions to hell when he uses the triplet.
The polish seton (repetition of and) reinforced the sempiternal torture the will face if they continue to part with their responsibility.continual repercussion of being irresponsible or abandoning religion and morals.allusion of their . Repercussion, repercussions, irresponsible repercussions development. Sheila repeats words once he leaves
“We are members of one body”. Inspector
Thus the inspector, alike to Jesus,promotes the union of society and togetherness.Alike to Jesus providing salvation for mankind the Inspectors final speech can be seen as being the salvation for the Birlings as he reminds them to “Remember that.Never forget it”
