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EnglishLiterature:Paper2

‘AnInspectorCalls’

StokeNewingtonSchoolRevisionBooklet

Name:………………………………………..

Teacher:…………………………………….

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Contents

• Plotsummary

• Keyinformationoncharacters

• Context

• Themes

• Keyquotations

• Sampleessayquestions

• Revisiongrid

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PlotSummaryActOne

• TheBirlingfamilyandGeraldCroftarecelebratingSheila’sengagementtoGerald• Althoughthereareafewsignsthatnoteverythingisperfect(MrBirlingistooanxioustoimpressGerald,Eric

seemsnervousandSheilamentionsthatGeralddidnotcomenearhertheprevioussummer)thereisahappy,light-heartedatmosphere.

• MrBirlingmakesarrogantspeeches,tellingtheothercharactershisviewsonscience,theTitanicandtherelationshipbetweenbossesandworkers,sayingthataman‘hastomindhisownbusinessandlookafterhimself’

• Hisspeechisinterruptedbythearrivalofapoliceinspector,namedGoole.InspectorGooleisinvestigatingthesuicideofayoungwomannamedEvaSmith

• TheInspectorshowsMrBirlingaphotographofEvaSmith.MrBirlingadmitsheemployedherinhisfactorybutsackedherfordemandinghigherwages.

• SheilaisshownthephotographandrealisesthatshehadEvaSmithsackedfromhernextjobasashopassistant,becauseshethoughtEvaSmithlaughedather.

• TheInspectorrevealsthatEvaSmithchangedhernametoDaisyRenton.Gerald’sreactionmakesitobviousthathealsoknewthegirl.

• TheInspectorsuggeststhatmanypeopleshareresponsibilityforthemiserywhichpromptedEvaSmith/DaisyRentontoendherlife.

ActTwo

• GeraldadmitshemetDaisyRentoninthespringofthepreviousyearandthatshewashismistress.• Sheilaishurtandangry,yetshepraisesGeraldforatleastbeinghonest.• MrsBirlingtriestobullytheInspectorandcontrolevents.• WhileEricisoutoftheroom,MrsBirlingisforcedtoadmitthatEva/Daisyaskedforthehelpofhercharity,

butthatMrsBirlingrefusedtohelpher.ShewasoffendedbecauseEvaSmithcalledherself‘MrsBirling’• Itisrevealedthatthegirlwaspregnant.MrsBirlinglaystheblameforthegirl’sdeathonthefatherofthe

unbornchild.• Atthismoment,Ericenterstheroomagain.

ActThree

• EricconfessesthathegotEvaSmithpregnantandthathestolemoneyfromhisfather’sfirmtosupporther.• EriclearnsthathismotherhadrefusedtohelpEvaSmith.HeblameshismotherforEva’sdeath.• TheBirlingfamilybegintoaccuseoneanotherangrily.Thefamilyatmospherehaschangedcompletelyfrom

thepolitesceneatthestartoftheplay.• TheInspectortakeschargeandmakesadramaticspeechabouttheimportanceofsocialresponsibility.He

leaves.• GeraldandMrBirlingbegintosuspecttheInspector.Theygraduallyprovethatthemanwhocalledon

themwasnotarealpoliceinspector.• AtelephonecalltotheInfirmary(hospital)revealsthattherehasbeennorecentsuicide.• EricandSheilastillfeelguilty,buttheothersnowshrugoffguild.• MrBirlinganswersthetelephone:ayoungwomanhasjustdiedandaninspectorisonhiswaytomake

enquires.• Theplayendshere,leavingtheaudiencewonderingwhotheoriginalInspectorwasandwhyhistoryseems

toberepeatingitself…

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CharacterAnalysis:MrBirling

WhoisMrBirling?MrBirlingisasuccessfulbusinessman,whohasbeenLordMayorofBrumley.HeisthefatherofSheilaandEric.WhatdoesMrBirlingdo?• MrBirlinghoststhedinnertocelebrate

Sheila’sengagementtoGeraldCroft.• Heclaimsthataman’sresponsibilityisonly

tohimselfandhisfamily.• TwoyearsagohefiredEvaSmithfromhis

factory.• Heisonlyconcernedwithprotectinghis

reputationandavoidingascandal.

Structure

Opening:TheplayopenswithMrBirlingaskingfortheporttobepoured.BirlingistryingtoimpressGeraldbychoosingthesameportasGerald’sfatherlikes.PriestleyisusingtheportasasymboltorevealthatMrBirlingisamaterialisticcharacterwhocaresabouthisstatusandreputationaboveallelse.

TheInspector’sEntrance:JustbeforetheInspectorarrives,MrBirlingdismissessocialistviewsofcommunityas‘nonsense’andclaimsthataman‘hastomindhisownbusinessandlookafterhimself’.TheinterruptionofBirling’sspeechforeshadowsthattheInspectorwilldisruptthesearrogantviews.

Ending:Bytheendingoftheplay,MrBirlinghasnotchanged.HeisdelightedwhenhediscoverstheInspectorisafake,shownbytherepeatedstagedirection‘triumphantly’.PriestleyrevealsthatcapitalistslikeMrBirlingaretooselfishtochange.

MrBirlingtheCapitalist

MrBirlingisacapitalistwhovaluesbusinessandprofitaboveallelse.HemakeshisviewsclearintheearlyspeechesinAct1,andthesedonotchange.

Priestley’smessage

PriestleyusesMrBirlingasasymboltorepresenttheselfishnessandarroganceofcapitalistsinEdwardiansociety.PriestleywantedhisaudiencetodislikeMrBirlingandtoseehimasafool.ByrejectingtheattitudesheldbyMrBirling,Priestley’saudiencewouldleadamoreresponsible,socialistlife.

“Ispeakasahard-headedpracticalmanofbusiness”

“TheTitanicsailsnextweek…unsinkable,

absolutelyunsinkable”

“There’llbeapublicscandal”

“Look,Inspector–I’dgivethousands–yes,thousands”

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CharacterAnalysis:MrsBirling

WhoisMrsBirling?MrsBirlingisanimportantmemberoftheBrumleyWomen’sCharityOrganisation.SheisthemotherofSheilaandEric.WhatdoesMrsBirlingdo?• MrsBirlingtreatstheInspectorasan

inferior.• SheisdisgustedwhenshelearnsthatEva/

DaisywasGerald’smistress.• Shepersuadedthecharitynottohelpthe

pregnantgirl.• Sheblamesthegirls’deathonthefather

ofthechild–whoturnsouttobeherson.• Sheclaimsshewastheonlyonenotto

‘givein’totheInspector.

Structure

Opening:MrsBirlingshowshernarrow-mindednessfromherearlylines.WhenSheilaquestionswhereGeraldwasallsummer,MrsBirlingwarnsherthatmenhaveimportantworktodoandshouldn’tbequestioned.ShepraisesGeraldforhistimingofthepresentationofthering.

TheInspector’sEntrance:MrsBirlingisoffstagewhentheInspectorarrives,anddoesnotre-enteruntilActTwo.Atthispoint,sheenters‘self-confidently’andattemptstodismisstheInspector’sinvestigation,callingitan‘absurdbusiness’.Thisindicatesherarroganceandunwillingnesstolistenortochange.EvenafteradmittingthatshehasmetEva,MrsBiringreferstoheronlyasa‘girl’,notbyhername,asthoughEvaisnotworthyofbeingrecognisedasanindividual.MrsBirlingimpliesthatawomaninEva’spositionisnotcapableofthesamelevelofemotionormoralityassomebodyintheupperormiddleclass.

Ending:Bytheendoftheplay,MrsBirlinghasnotchanged.SheseemsthemostresistanttotheInspector’smessage.Priestleyshowsthatshehasalackofunderstandingofhowotherpeopleliveandthinksthatallclassesbehaveinacertainway.ThespeedatwhichsherecoversaftertheInspectorleavesreflectshercoldnessandlackofconscience.Herlastlineintheplayisapredictionthattheywillallbe‘amused’bytheInspector’svisitinthemorning–apredictionthatshowshowlittleshehasunderstood.

MrsBirlingthesnobMrsBirlingisacapitalistandasnobwhovaluessocialclassaboveallelse.Sheisanignorantcharacter,whodoesn’tthinkthereareanyproblemsinherfamilyandstrugglestobelievethatEricdrinksheavilyorthathewasthefatherofEva’schild.

Priestley’smessagePriestleyusesMrsBirlingasasymboltorepresentthewealthier,privilegedclassesandtheirselfishattitudes.Sheseestheworkingclassasmorallyinferior.PriestleywantedhisaudiencetodespiseMrsBirlingandtheignorantsocialsnobberysherepresents.

AboutEva:“Agirlofthatsort”

AboutGerald’saffair:“It’sdisgustingtome.”

“Goandlookforthefatherofthechild.It’shisresponsibility.”

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CharacterAnalysis:SheilaBirling

WhoisSheilaBirling?SheilaisthedaughterofMrandMrsBirlingandatthestartoftheplayisengagedtoGeraldCroft.WhatdoesSheilado?• Sheilashowsrealemotionwhenshehears

thatayoungwomanhasdied.• ShewasresponsibleforgettingEvaSmith

firedfromherjobinthedressshop.• SherealisestheInspectorisimportantand

shouldnotbeignored/liedto.• AfterhearingaboutGerald’saffair,she

breaksoffherengagementwithhim.• SherevealsthatEricdrinkstoomuch.• Sheunderstandsthatthefamilyneedsto

takeresponsibilityforwhattheyhavedoneandtochangetheirtreatmentofworkingclasspeople.

Structure

Opening:Atthestartoftheplay,Sheilaisplayfulandself-centred,enjoyingtheattentionherengagementbrings.Sheisparticularlyexcitedabouttheengagementring,callingit‘wonderful!’.Atfirst,Sheilaseemssuperficialandmaterialisticliketherestofherfamily.

TheInspector’sEntrance:WhenSheilameetstheInspector,sheshowsasensitivesidetohernature.SherespondstoEvaSmithasaperson,notascheaplabour,andcriticisesherfather.WhensherealisesherjealousyandbadtempercausedEvatoloseherjob,sheisgenuinelysorry.

Ending:Bytheendoftheplay,SheilaBirlinghaschangedmorethananyothercharacter.SherefusestocontinuetheengagementwithGeraldbytheendoftheplay,eventhoughheclaims‘everything’sallrightnow’.SheunderstandstheimportanceoftheInspector’smessage,andevenechoeshiswords,‘fireandbloodandanguish’.Thesethingsallhelptomakeheramoresympatheticcharacter.

SheilathesocialistSheilashowsgenuineconcernforEvaSmithandunderstandstheInspector’smessage.Sheformsacontrasttohernarrow-minded,materialisticparents.

Priestley’smessagePriestleyusesSheila,alongwithEric,asasymboltorepresenttheyoungergenerationandsocialism.Sheilagivestheaudiencehopethattheirsocietycanimproveifpeopletakeresponsibilityfortheimpactoftheiractions.YoucouldalsoarguethatSheilacomestoreflectnewideasaboutgenderequality,connectedtothesuffragettemovementoftheperiod–shechallengestheoutdatedattitudesofherfather,motherandGeraldCroft.

“Thesegirlsaren’tcheaplabour–they’repeople.”

“(miserably)SoI’mreallyresponsible?”

ToMrsBirling:“Youmustn’ttrytobuildupakindofwallbetweenusandthatgirl.”

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CharacterAnalysis:EricBirling

WhoisEricBirling?EricisthesonofMrandMrsBirling.Heisemployedinhisfather’sbusiness,drinksmorethanisgoodforhimandisthefatherofEva’s/Daisy’schild.WhatdoesEricdo?• Ericdrinkstoomuchatthefamilydinner.• EricmetEva/DaisyinthebarofthePalace

Theatre.• EricforcedhiswayintoEva’s/Daisy’srooms

andmadeherpregnant.• Hestolemoneyfromhisfather’sfirmtogive

toEva/Daisy.• Heaccuseshismotherofkillingherown

unborngrandchild.• Heacceptshisguilt,whethertheInspectoris

arealpoliceofficerornot.

Structure

Opening:Atthestartoftheplay,Erichasclearlyhadtoomuchtodrink.Hisfirstactionisto‘guffaw’suddenly.Sheilathendescribeshimas‘squiffy’(drunk).ThispreparestheaudienceforwhatwelaterlearnabouthisdrunkenbehaviourwithEva/Daisy.However,Ericalreadyseemstobelessignorantthanhisfather,andattemptstochallengehispredictionsaboutthefuture,askinghimquestionslike‘Whataboutwar?’

TheInspector’sEntrance:EricrespondswithrealemotionwhenhearingofEva’sdeath,crying‘involuntarily’‘MyGod!’.Healsocriticiseshisfather’streatmentofEvaSmith,callingit‘toughluck’and‘adam’shame’.

Ending:Bytheendoftheplay,Eric,likehissisterSheila,becomesawareofhisownresponsibilities,realisingthathehasplayedapartinEvaSmith’sdeath.

EricthechangedmanEricwaspartofthe‘chainofevents’thatledtoEvaSmith’sdeath,byhavingaflingwithherandgettingherpregnant.Atthestartoftheplay,hewasjustliketheothers–abusinghispoweroveraworkingclassgirl.However,heacceptsresponsibilityandisashamedofhisbehaviour,sotheaudienceismorelikelytoforgivehim.

Priestley’smessageAtfirst,PriestleyusesEric’sactionstosymbolisehowcapitalistsabusetheirpowerovertheworkingclass(forexample,treatingEvaSmith‘asifshewereananimal,athing,notaperson’).YoucouldarguethatEric’srapeofEvaSmithrepresentshowcapitalistsfiguratively‘rape’thepoor.

However,Ericdoeschangeintheplay.Bytheend,Eric,likehissister,isusedbyPriestleyasasymboltorepresenttheyoungergenerationandsocialism.Ericgivestheaudiencehopethattheirsocietycanimproveifpeopletakeresponsibilityfortheimpactoftheiractions.

ToMrsBirling,onlearningthatsherefusedEva/Daisyhelp:“Youkilledher…andthechildshe’dhavehadtoo–mychild–yourowngrandchild–damn

you,damnyou”

AboutforcinghiswayintoEvaSmith’srooms:“Iinsisted…Iwasinthatstatewhenachapeasily

turnsnasty.”

ToMrBirling:“Whyshouldn’ttheytryfor

higherwages?”

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CharacterAnalysis:GeraldCroft

WhoisGeraldCroft?GeraldisthesonofawealthyindustrialistandbusinessrivalofMrBirling.Atthestartoftheplay,hehasjustbecomeengagedtoSheilaBirling.GeraldisslightlysociallysuperiortotheBirlings–heisupperclass/aristocratic.WhatdoesGeralddo?• GeraldgivesSheilaanengagementringatthe

startofthedinnerparty.• HeagreeswithMrBirlingaboutthewaya

businessshouldberun.• HehadanaffairwithEva/Daisyforsix

months,thenbrokeofftheirrelationship.• Attheendoftheplay,hefindsoutthata

policesergeanthasneverheardofInspectorGoole.

• HetelephonestheInfirmaryandlearnsthatnogirldiedthatday.

Structure

Opening:Attheopeningoftheplay,GeraldechoesmanyofMrBirling’sopinions,especiallyonmattersofbusiness.UnlikeEric,hedoesnotchallengeMrBirlingandinfactsupportshim.

TheInspector’sEntrance:WhentheInspectorbeginstoquestionMrBirling,Geraldshows‘annoyance’nottobeabletoseethephotographofEvaSmith.HesupportsMrBirling’sdecisiontosackEvaSmith.Initially,hetriestokeephisownrelationshipwithEvaSmithasecret.However,hedoesadmithisrelationshipandseemstoshowsomeconcernaboutwhathappenedtoher.

Ending:Bytheendoftheplay,Geralddoesnotseemtohavechangedverymuch.HislastactionistosuggesttoSheilathattheyshouldremainengaged,holdinguptheringandsaying,‘Everything’sallrightnow,Sheila.’ThissuggestthatGeraldismorelikeMrandMrsBirlingthanthesocialistsEricandSheila.

Geraldthearistocrat

Geraldisacomplexcharacter.Ontheonehand,youcouldarguethatGerald’sinteractionwithEva/Daisywasmotivatedbysympathyandthengenuineattraction.HeisatleasthonestwhendiscussinghisattachmenttoEva/Daisy.However,ontheotherhand,hediscardedEva/Daisywhenitsuitedhim.HeisalignedwithMrBirling,echoinghisviewsonbusinessandhisexcitementthattheInspectorisn’tarealpoliceofficer.Heletstheaudiencedown–wehopedthathewouldchangehisattitudes,buthedoesn’t.

Priestley’smessage

PriestleyusesGeraldasasymboltorepresenttheselfishattitudesoftheupperclass.ThefactthatGeralddoesn’tchangehisattitudesconveyshowingrainedthisattitudeswereinthearistocracy,andhowdifficultitwastochangethem.

“I’mrathermore–upset–bythisbusinessthanI

probablyappeartobe–”

AboutEva/Daisy:“Shewasyoungandprettyandwarm-hearted–and

intenselygrateful.”

“Thereisn’tanysuchinspector.We’ve

beenhad.”

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CharacterAnalysis:TheInspector

WhoisInspectorGoole?HeintroduceshimselfasInspectorGoole,apoliceofficerwhohascometoinvestigatethebackgroundofayoungwoman’ssuicide.WhatdoestheInspectordo?• TheInspectorinterruptstheBirling

familygathering.• Heestablishestheyeachdidsomething

cruelorunkindtothedeadgirl.• Hetakescontrolofthesituationand

refusestoacknowledgethatanyoftheothersissuperiortohimself.

• Heleavesthemaftermakingapassionatespeechaboutsocialjustice.

Structure

TheInspector’spowercomesfromhisuncannyabilitytocontrolthecharactersandeventsintheplay.LookcloselyatthestagedirectionsassociatedwiththeInspector:

• Thelightingbecomes‘brighterandharder’oncetheInspectorarrives,suggestingthattheInspectorwillputtheactionsoftheBirlingfamilyunderaharshlight.

• Hearrivesatacrucialtime–tointerruptMrBirling’sselfishviews.

• ThefirststagedirectionsabouttheInspectoremphasisehisauthority,describinghis‘impressionofmassiveness,solidityandpurposefulness’.

• TheadverbsassociatedwiththeInspectorareveryimportant:hespeaks‘carefully,weightily’,whichgiveshiswordsauthority;hecutsthroughtheBirlings‘massively’whichshowshispoweroverthemandhisrefusaltobeintimidatedbytheirsocialclass.

• TheInspectorcontrolswhoseesthephotograph,buildingupdramaasonlyonecharactergetstoseeitatatime.Hethereforecontrolsthestructureoftheplay–eachrevelationmovesthedramaonestepforward.

• Finally,theInspectorseemstooperateoutsideoftime–forexample,attheendofActTwo,hewaitsforErictoappear,looking‘athiswatch’beforethedramaticrevelationaboutEric’sroleinEva’slife.

Priestley’smessage

TheInspectorrepresentsPriestley’svoice–heconveysPriestley’sstrongsocialistviews.Hechallengesthecharacters,andthereforetheaudience,abouttheirtreatmentoftheworkingclass.YoucouldarguethatthefactthatheoperatesoutsideoftimegiveshimamoralorGodlypowerthatplaceshisviewsabovealloftheothersintheplay.

TheInspectoralsoheightensdrama–hisentrancesandexitsareallwell-timedinordertocreatemaximumtension.Thisalsoaddstothesenseofhisimportance–itisasifheiscontrollingthestructureofthedramaitself.

“Itwoulddousallabitofgoodifsometimeswetriedtoputourselvesintheplaceoftheseyoungwomencountingtheirpenniesintheirdingylittlebackbedrooms.”

“She’dswallowedalotofstrongdisinfectant.Burntherinsideout,ofcourse.Shewasingreatagony.”

“TherearemillionsandmillionsandmillionsofEvaSmithsandJohnSmiths.”

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CharacterAnalysis:EvaSmith/DaisyRenton

WhoisEvaSmith/DaisyRenton?ThesearethetwonamesbywhichthegirlwhosufferedatthehandsoftheBirlingfamilyandGeraldwasknown.Whathappenstoher?• MrBirlingsackedherfromhisfactoryforleadingastrikeforbetterpay.• Shewassackedfromadressshop,afterSheilaunjustlycomplainedabouther.• ShebecameGeraldCroft’smistress.• ShewasmadepregnantbyEricBirling.• Sheappliedtoacharityforhelp,butMrsBirlingrefusedthathelp.• Shecommittedsuicidebyswallowingdisinfectant.

EvaSmith–symboloftheworkingclass

EvaSmithremainsamystery.Sheneverappearsonstageandwedonotknowherrealname,buttheplayrevolvesaroundher.SheformsasharpcontrastwiththeBirlingfamily:sheworkedhard,supportedherfellowworkersandwaskind.HerhonestypreventedherfromconsideringmarriagetoEricandprotectedhimfromhisfoolishnessinstealingmoney.IncontrasttoMrsBirling’ssnobbishprejudiceabouther(‘asifagirlofthatsortwouldeverrefusemoney!’,EvaSmithwastoomoraltoacceptstolenmoneyfromEric.

Priestley’smessage

PriestleyusesEvaSmithasasymboltorepresenttheworkingclasswomen(andmen)whoareexploitedbycapitalistsliketheBirlingfamily.YoucouldarguethatPriestleyemphasiseshermoralityinordertochallengeanyprejudicestheBirlings,andtheaudience,mayholdaboutworkingclasswomenandmen.

TheInspector:“youngwomencountingtheirpenniesintheirdingylittlebackbedrooms.”

MrBirling:“She’dhadalottosay–fartoomuch–soshehad

togo.”

Sheila:“Ican’thelpthinkingaboutthisgirl–destroyingherself

sohorribly”

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ContextSettingof‘AnInspectorCalls’

‘AnInspectorCalls’issetinafictionalindustrialtownofBrumleyin1912.Priestleywrote‘AnInspectorCalls’in1944and,likemuchofhiswork,theplaycontainsstrongpoliticalmessages.Priestleydeliberatelyset‘AnInspectorCalls’in1912becausethaterarepresentedtheoppositeofwhatpeoplewerehopingforin1945.

Priestley’sPolitics

Priestleywasasocialist.Socialistsbelievethatcapitalists(suchasMrBirling)benefittherichoverthepoor.Socialismisbasedongivingpowerandrightstotheworkingclass(suchasEvaSmith,workinginthefactory).Socialistsstronglysupportunions,organisationsthatprotectworkers’rights.

Duringthe1930sPriestleybecameveryconcernedabouttheconsequencesofsocialinequalityinBritain,andin1942Priestleyandotherssetupanewpoliticalparty,theCommonWealthParty,whicharguedforpublicownershipofland,greaterdemocracy,andanew'morality'inpolitics.ThepartymergedwiththeLabourPartyin1945.PriestleywasinfluentialindevelopingtheideaoftheWelfareStatewhichbegantobeputintoplaceattheendofthewar.

By1945,socialismwasafreshandverypopularmovement.IntheUKgeneralelectionof1945,heldtwomonthsaftertheendoftheSecondWorldWarinEurope,theLabourPartybeatWinstonChurchill'sConservatives,winningamajorityofseatsforthefirsttimeinBritishelectionhistory.Priestley,alongwithnearly12millionotherBritons,votedforLabour.

KeyContextualIdeas

‘AnInspectorCalls’issetin1912,theEdwardianera.TheplayissetjustbeforetheTitanicsinks,andtwoyearsbeforethestartofWorldWarOne.Herearesomeofthekeycontextualideasoftheplay:

SocialPositionin1912:

Yourplaceinsocietywasfarmoreimportantin1912thanitistoday.IndustrialistslikeMrBirlingmadeenoughmoneytoriseupthesocialladder–butthiswealthwasnotsharedwiththeirworkerslikeEvaSmith.ArthurBirlinghasmadehismoneythroughbuildingupasuccessfulmanufacturingbusiness.MrsBirling’ssocialsnobberyandherdesireforstrictly‘correct’behavioursuggestthatshehascomefromasocially‘better’familybackgroundthanMrBirling.MrBirlinghasimprovedhissocialstatusbybecomingLordMayorandacceptingthedutiesofamagistrate.Hehopestoimprovehissocialstatusfurtherbybeingawardedaknighthood.MrBirlingisdelightedthatSheilaisengagedtoGeraldCroftatthestartoftheplay,becausethiswillimprovehissocialstatus.HisfocusonsocialpositionexplainswhyMrBirlingissoworriedaboutcreatinga‘publicscandal’thatmaydamagehisreputation.PriestleymakesMrBirling’sobsessionwithsocialpositionlookfoolishandimmoraltohis1945audience.

WorkersandBosses

Atthetimetheplayisset(1912),therightsofworkerslikeEvaSmithwerenottakentooseriouslybymanyemployers.Workersdidn’thavemuchjobsecurityandbeingfiredfromajobmeantyouhadnoreferences,makingitharderforyoutofindanotherjob.Therewasnounemploymentpayorbenefitssystemtohelpyouwhenyouwereoutofwork.ThisiswhylifebecomessodifficultforEvaSmithaftershe

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isfiredfromtwojobsbecauseofMrBirlingandSheila.WecanseehoweasyitwouldbeforhertohaveendeduptrappedbyAldermanMeggarty,GeraldandEric.BypresentingEva’sexperienceonstage,Priestleyshowsthe1945audiencehowimportantitisthatworkersareprotected.

Charities

AstherewassolittleprotectionforpeoplelikeEvaSmith,theywerereliantoncharitiesforhelp.WhenEvaSmithfindsherselfunemployed,pregnantandpenniless,acharityorganisationsuchas‘TheBrumleyWomen’sOrganisation’(runbyMrsBirling)wastheonlyplaceshecouldturnto.However,thisleftheratthemercyofwomenlikeMrsBirling,whowoulddecidewhethertohelpornot.Priestleywantedtoshowhis1945audiencehowunfairthissystemwas.Priestleywantedtocreatesupportforthe‘welfarestate’,introducedin1945,whichentailedthecreationoftheNHS,benefitsfortheunemployed,statepensionsetc.Itmeantthatthevulnerableinsocietywouldbeofferedsomeprotection.Priestleyusedtheplaytoshowhowvitalthiswas.

TroubledFuture

MrBirlingthinksthefuturelooksgood–heexplainstoSheilaandGeraldthat‘whenyoumarry,you’llbemarryingataverygoodtime.Yes,averygoodtime’.However,heiscompletelywrong.PriestleyisdeliberatelypresentingMrBirlingasfoolishtoa1945audience,whohaveexperiencedtwoworldwars,theGreatDepression,socialunrest,strikesandawideninggapbetweenrichandpoor.TheInspectorisaccuratewhenhepredictsthefuture,warningtheBirlingsofthe‘fireandbloodandanguish’thateveryonewillexperienceiftheydonotlearntotakeresponsibilityforoneanother.

TheRoleofWomen

Atthetimetheplaywasset,womenhadfewerrights.Theyweresubservienttomen.Rich,middleclasswomenwereexpectedtogetmarried.Poorwomenwereusedascheaplabour.ThedifferenceinthewayworkingclassandmiddleclasswomenweretreatedintheplaycanbeseenthroughthedifferentexperiencesofEvaSmithandSheilaBirling.EvawasobjectifiedbyAldermanMeggarty,GeraldandEric,andsufferedgreatly.However,SheilaandMrsBirlingareseenasdelicatecreatureswhoneedtobeprotectedfromtheharshrealitiesoftheworld(e.g.MrsBirlingwasprotectedfromtheknowledgethatmanyupperclassmenattendprostitutebarsandthathersondrankheavily).

However,thefightforgenderequalityhadbegunby1912withthesuffragettemovement.Astheplayprogresses,PriestleyshowsthatSheilabeginstofightforequality–refusingtogotobed,standinguptoherfather,refusingtheringGeraldoffers.Inthisway,the1945audiencemayhaverecognisedthatSheilarepresentedhopeforgenderequalityinthefuture.

Challenge:TimeTheories

Priestleywasinterestedintheoriesoftime.OneinfluenceonPriestleywasaRussianphilosopher,Ousepensky,whobelievedthattimecontinuedtorepeatitselfandthatindividualsmustlearntostoprepeatingthesamemistakes.‘AnInspectorCalls’isoneofPriestley’s‘timeplays’–playsthatareinterestedinhowtimeworks.YoucouldarguethattheInspectorcomesfromthefutureoraplaceoutsideoftimetooffertheBirlingsanopportunitytochange–anopportunitytheydon’ttake.Intheendtheyhavelearnednothingandsowillhavetogothroughitalloveragain.

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ThemesAnEqualSociety/Class

Inthisplay,Priestleypresentsuswithapowerfulsocialmessage.WeareshownthecomfortablehomeandrichwayoflifeoftheBirlingfamily(seetheopeningstagedirectionsforpropsthatrepresentthiswealth).ThisiscontrastedwiththedesperateaccountsofworkerstoincreasetheirpoorwagesandthedismallifethatEvaSmithisforcedtoliveasaresultoftheBirlings’actions.

TheInspectorchampionsthecauseofthepoorandtriestogetotherstoacceptthatallpeopleshareacommonhumanityandarepartofacommunity.TheInspectorisaspokespersonforthedisadvantagedandavoicefortheconsciencewhichtheBirlingsandGeraldseemtolack.

Responsibility

Manyofthecharactershaveanarrowviewofwhatitmeanstoberesponsible,buttheInspectorprovidesastrongermessageaboutsocialresponsibility.Eachfamilymemberhasadifferentattitudetowardsresponsibility–forexample,Birlingfeelshisresponsibilityissimplytomakeasuccessofhisbusiness.MakesureyouknowhoweachcharacterfeltabouttheirresponsibilitytowardsEvaSmith.

TheInspectorwantedeachmemberofthefamilyofEva’sdeath:hetellsthem‘eachofyouhelpedtokillher’.However,hisfinalspeechisaimednotonlyatthecharactersbutattheaudiencetoo.

Love

Theplaypresentsmanydifferentinterpretationsoflove.SheilaandGeraldappeartobeinloveatfirst–however,aftereachofthemhasconfessedtotheirshamefultreatmentofEva/Daisy,Sheilarealisesthattheydonotreallyknoweachotherandthattrustisanessentialpartofalovingrelationship.BothEricandGeraldsleepwithEva,butneitherofthemseemtoloveher–showinghowworkingclasswomenwerevulnerabletobeingexploitedbyrichermen.

MrBirling’sremarkabouttheengagementofhisdaughterbringingthetwofirmsintoacloserworkingrelationshiprevealssomethingabouthisattitudetowardsloveandmarriage.Heseesmarriageasawayofprogressingupthesocialandeconomicladder.Wewonderwhetherloveplayedanyrealpartinhismarriagetothesociallysuperior,butcold-hearted,SybilBirling.

Age

TheoldergenerationandtheyoungergenerationtaketheInspector’smessageindifferentways.WhileSheilaandEricaccepttheirpartinEva’sdeathandfeelhugeguilt,theirparentsdonotadmittheydidanythingwrong.

Theold,representedbyMrandMrsBirling,aresetintheirways.Theyareutterlyconfidentthattheyarerightandtheyseetheyoungasfoolish.Theywilldoanythingtoprotectthemselves:MrsBirlingliestotheInspectorwhenhefirstshowsherthephotograph;MrBirlingwantstocoverupapotentialscandal.MrandMrsBirling,withsomuchtolosefromapotentialsocialistrevolution,dismisstheInspector’swarningsandconvincethemselvesthattheyarenottoblame.Incontrast,theyoungergeneration,representedbySheilaandEric,haveembracedsocialismandrejectedcapitalism.Priestleyusestheyoungergenerationtorepresenthopeforchangetothe1945audience.Ultimately,theaudiencecanbeoptimisticthattheyoung–thosewhowillshapefuturesociety–areabletolearnfromtheInspector’ssocialistmessage.

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KeyQuotations

MrBirlingo Birlings’‘largesurburbanhouse’–contrastwithEva’s‘dingylittlebackbedroom’(describedbythe

Inspector)o Birling’sfirstline:‘Givingustheport,Edna?That’sright.’StructurallytheplayopenswithBirling’s

focusonconsumerism,hiswealthandattemptstoimpressGeraldCrofto Birling,celebratestheengagementofSheilaandGerald:‘It’soneofthehappiestnightsofmylife’(he’s

happythattheCroftandBirlingfirmsmayworktogetherinthefuture!)o “nobodywantswar”o “unsinkable,absolutelyunsinkable”(abouttheTitanic)o Describeshimselfrepeatedlyas‘ahard-headedpracticalmanofbusiness”o “amanhastomindhisownbusinessandlookafterhimselfandhisown-and-(doorbellrings)”o “It’smydutytokeeplabourcostsdown”o DescribesEva’sdeathasa‘horridbusiness’(usesthelanguageofbusinessratherthanunderstanding

thetruehorrorofEva’sdeath)o ‘Iwasquitejustified’insackingEvaSmitho Hismainconcernistoavoida“publicscandal”o WhenworriedhisfamilyisresponsibleforEva’sdeath:‘Look,Inspector-I’dgivethousands–yes,

thousands–’ThisrevealsBirling’shypocrisy–hehasmoneytospareforabribe,toavoidascandal,buthewon’tpayhisworkersapennymorethantheycurrentlyearn.

o AftertheInspectorleaves:‘Youallowedyourselftobebluffed.Yes–bluffed.’o AftertheInspectorleaves:repeatedlydescribedinthestagedirectionsasspeaking‘triumphantly’Sheilao Atthestartoftheplay,whenGeraldgivesherthering:‘Oh–it’swonderful!LookMummy–isn’tita

beauty?’o “Butthesegirlsaren’tcheaplabour-they’repeople”o WhenshehadEvaSmithfired,sheusesthepowershehasasagoodcustomerofthestore:“I’d

persuademothertocloseouraccountwiththem”o ‘(Miserably)SoI’mreallyresponsible?’o “I’llnever,neverdoitagaintoanybody.”o WhenshehearsaboutGerald’saffairwithEva:‘YouwerethewonderfulFairyPrince.Youmusthave

adoredit,Gerald.’o “Youmustn’ttrytobuildupakindofwallbetweenusandthatgirl.”Sheilausesthemetaphorofthe

‘wall’toshowthatsheunderstandsthatthereshouldbenoseparationbetweentheBirlingsandEva.Sherealisesthatclassdivisionsmustbetorndown.

o ToMrsBirling,whensheturnsEvaawayfromthecharity:‘Mother,Ithinkitwascruelandvile.’o WhenMrsBirlingisunknowinglyblamingherownson:‘(withsuddenalarm)Mother–stop–stop!’o SherepeatstheInspector’smessageandseemstolearnfromhimbytheendoftheplay:‘Fireand

bloodandanguish.Anditfrightensmethewayyoutalk,andIcan’tlistentoanymoreofit’Geraldo AboutEvaSmith:‘Shewasyoungandprettyandwarm-hearted–andintenselygrateful’o AboutEva:‘Iaskedherquestionsaboutherself.’o AboutEva/Daisy:‘IinsistedonDaisymovingintothoserooms…becauseIwassorryforher.’o Abouthisaffair,toMrsBirling,whenshecallsitdisgusting:‘Itwasn’tdisgusting.’o WhenaskedifhelovedEvaSmith/Daisy,‘Ididn’tfeelaboutherasshefeltaboutme.’o “I’mrathermoreupsetbythisbusinessthanIprobablyappeartobe”

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o TheInspectorisn’tasharshonhimasheisonMrandMrsBirling–henotesthatatleastGerald‘hadsomeaffectionforherandmadeherhappyforatime.’

o “Thereisn’tanysuchinspector.We’vebeenhad.”o Attheendoftheplay:“Everything’sallrightnowSheila.Whataboutthisring?”MrsBirlingo ToArthur,abouthiscommentsaboutthecook:‘Arthuryou’renotsupposedtosaysuchthings’o ToSheila,onherslang:‘Sheila!Whatanexpression!’o ToSheila,aboutGerald:‘NowSheiladon’tteasehim.Whenyou’remarriedyou’llrealisethatmenwith

importantworktodosometimeshavetospendnearlyalltheirtimeandenergyonbusiness.’o ToGerald,abouthisaffairwithEva:‘Idon’tthinkwewantanymoredetailsofthisdisgustingaffair.’o “Ididn’tlikehermanner”o AboutEric,whenSheilatellshimthatErichasbeendrinkingtoomuchforyears:‘(staggered)Itisn’t

true.Youknowhim,Gerald,o “Iacceptnoblame”o “agirlofthatsort”o WhenblamingthefatherofEva’sbaby(notrealisingit’sEric):‘heoughttobedealtwithveryseverely.’o ToSheila,whenshetriestointerrupt:‘(severely)You’rebehavinglikeanhystericalchildtonight.’Erico CriticiseshisfatherforfiringEvaSmith:‘Hecouldhavekeptheroninsteadofthrowingherout.’o BeforesleepingwithEva:“Iwasinthatstatewhenachapeasilyturnsnasty”o “Iwasn’tinlovewithheroranything”o ToMirBirling:“You’renotthekindoffatherachapcouldgoto”o “weallhelpedtokillher”TheInspectoro “animpressionofmassiveness”o “shewasingreatagony”o “she’dswallowedalotofstrongdisinfectant.Burntherinsideout,ofcourse.’o ‘nowork,nomoneycomingin,andlivinginlodgings,withnorelativestohelpher,lonely,halfstarved,

shewasfeelingdesperate’o “youngwomencountingtheirpenniesintheirdingylittlebackrooms’o “eachofyouhelpedtokillher”o “Publicmen,MrBirling,haveresponsibilitiesaswellasprivileges”o “MillionsandmillionsandmillionsofEvaSmithsandJohnSmiths”o “withtheirlives,theirhopesandfears,theirchanceofhappiness,allintertwinedwithourlives”o “weareresponsibleforeachother”o “willbetaughtitinfireandbloodandanguish”

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SampleEssayQuestions

HowandwhydoesSheilachangeinAnInspectorCalls?

WhatdoyouthinkistheimportanceoftheendinginAnInspectorCalls?

HowandwhyistheInspectorpresentedasadramaticandpowerfulfigureinAnInspectorCalls?

WhatdoyouthinkistheimportanceoftheopeninginAnInspectorCalls?

WhatdoyouthinkistheimportanceofGerald’scharacterinAnInspectorCalls?

HowdoesPriestleyexploretheideaofclassinAnInspectorCalls?

HowdoesPriestleyexplorethepositionofwomeninAnInspectorCalls?

WhatistheimportanceofEvaSmithinAnInspectorCalls?

HowdoesPriestleyexploretheimportanceofclassinAnInspectorCalls?

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RevisionGridFillinthegridbelowwiththreequotationsforeachcharacter,linkstothemesandanalysis.

Thefirstonehasbeendoneforyou.

Character Quotation Keythemes/ideas AnalysisofLanguage/Structure

MrBirling “hard-headed business man” * Mr Birling is proud of his capitalism * Links to his pride in his social position / financial success

The adjective ‘hard-headed’, with its harsh alliteration, emphasises that Mr Birling’s harsh attitude – suggesting he’s heartless as well as hard-headed. He repeats this description, which shows how pleased he is – but the audience dislikes him.

MrsBirling

SheliaBirling

EricBirling

GeraldCroft

Inspector