Analysis of An Inspector Calls

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the analysis of Priestley's play 'An Inspector Calls', focusing on themes of social responsibility, class struggle, and the critique of patriarchy.

Social Responsibility

The idea that individuals and organizations have a duty to act in the best interests of their society.

Inspector

A character in the play serving as a mouthpiece for Priestley's socialist ideology, promoting empathy and social responsibility.

Massiveness

Stage direction describing the Inspector's imposing presence, symbolizing the rise of socialist beliefs.

Fire and Blood and Anguish

Metaphorical warning given by the Inspector about the consequences of failing to learn social responsibility.

Dehumanization

The process of depriving a person or group of positive human qualities, often used to justify exploitation.

Patriarchy

A social system in which men hold primary power, often leading to the marginalization of women.

Dramatic Irony

When the audience knows more about a situation than the characters, heightening tension.

Simile

A figure of speech comparing two different things using 'like' or 'as,' used by Priestley to convey relationships.

Key Themes

Major ideas in the play, including social responsibility, class struggle, and patriarchy.

Juxtaposition

The act of placing two elements close together for contrasting effect, often highlighting disparities.

Empowerment

The process of gaining confidence and strength; in the context of the play, it refers to characters like Sheila rejecting traditional gender roles.

Capitalism

An economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of goods and the means to produce them.

Working Class

The social group consisting of people employed for wages, often in manual or industrial work.

Symbolism

The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities; in the play, the Inspector symbolizes socialist ideals.

Character Development

The process of change or growth in a character throughout the narrative; Sheila's evolution is pivotal to the play's themes.

Marginalization

The process of relegating a person or group to a lower social standing, often seen in how women are treated in the play.

Irony

A literary technique for showing a contrast between expectations and reality, particularly in the characters' beliefs about their own importance.