1. Revision: Higher Level
AN INSPECTOR CALLS
Revision: Higher Level

2. Key attitudes: THE BIRLINGS
Laissez-faire attitude (‘leave alone’ – don’t interfere)
“A man has to make his own way – has to look after himself – and his family too, of course, when he has one- and so long as he does that he won’t come to much harm. But the way some of these cranks talk and write now, you’d think everybody has to look after everybody else, as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive – community an all that nonsense … a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own – and –’ (We hear the sharp ring of a front door bell).
Ignorant
What techniques does Priestley use to present Mr & Mrs Birling as ignorant?
Why does he do this?

3. Key attitudes: THE BIRLINGS
What techniques does Priestley use to present Mr & Mrs Birling as ignorant? Priestley’s use of dramatic irony to establish Birling’s ignorance, e.g. with the Titanic. The play is set a week before it sank, with Birling proclaiming it ‘unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable.’ Birling can only see what industry produces, without seeing any potential negatives – just like in his business? Priestley uses stage directions, too, to show both characters’ horrified responses to the truth, especially Mrs Birling. She is described as ‘staggered’ twice in a short amount of time, among other descriptions, as details about Eric’s drinking, Gerald’s affair, the notorious use of prostitutes (even among the upper classes, like Alderman Meggarty), Eric impregnating Sheila, and other revelations emerge. She is totally oblivious to the reality of the world around her. When Eric finally confronts her bluntly (‘She came to you to protect me – and you turned her away – yes, you killed her – and the child she’d have had too – my child – your own grandchild – you killed them both – damn you’) only then does Mrs Birling respond with ‘(very distressed now) No – Eric – please – I didn’t understand.’

4. Key attitudes: THE INSPECTOR
Promotes collective responsibility
“One Eva Smith has gone - but there are millions and millions and millions of Eva
Smiths and John Smiths still left with us, with their lives, their hopes and fears,
their suffering and chance of happiness, all intertwined with our lives, and what
we think and say and do.”
The Inspector also seems vengeful and offers a warning:
“And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that
lesson, when they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.”
What techniques does Priestley use here?
What might he be referring to? (Explore different interpretations)

5. Key attitudes: THE INSPECTOR
The Inspector also seems vengeful and offers a warning: “And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, when they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.” Religious element to his warning – linking collective responsibility with Christian values Could be a reference to the forthcoming World Wars – the Inspector, unlike Mr Birling, can see the consequences of such a society continuing like this Could also refer to the Russian Revolution of 1917, where poor workers and peasants mounted an uprising against the ruling classes (consider the irony of Birling describing ‘rapid progress everywhere – except of course in Russia.’)

6. class
What class are the different characters in the play?

7. Terms
Aristocracy = the upper class, where titles (like Lord and Lady) are hereditary (passed down through family). The children are born into money (‘landed people’ – Birling, p8)
Old money = the idea of inheriting wealth, not earning it
New money = wealth that has been acquired/earned – those with status known as the nouveau riche (newly rich) and often looked down upon by those of an ‘old money’ background
class
Gerald Croft – Upper class (son to Lord and Lady Croft – members of the aristocracy) – old money Challenge: So why’s he marrying Sheila Birling?
Sybil Birling – Upper class background (‘her husband’s social superior’) Challenge: So why did she marry Arthur Birling? (Consider her reactions to him on p2, 3 and 7.)
Arthur Birling – Upper-middle class (upwardly mobile – new money/nouveau riche) …from a working class background (‘rather provincial in his speech’ … ‘More money to spend and time to spare than I had when I was Eric’s age. They worked us hard in those days and kept us short of cash.’) …always seeking higher status, e.g. trying to impress Gerald – the very first lines of the play are Birling talking about port, including: ‘…it’s exactly the same port as your father gets’. Also consider his knighthood comments on p Challenge: So why does Arthur treat the working classes like he does?

8. Potential questions
1. The mood in Act 1 changes from relaxed to tense. Explore the ways Priestley transforms the tone throughout the Act.
2. How does Priestley hint at the tensions within the group that later become more clear in Act 1?
3. Write about Inspector Goole’s role in the play. How far is he a believable policeman? How does Priestley use the inspector in the play?
4. Write about the way the relationship between Gerald and Sheila develops during the play, and how Priestley uses this to express his ideas.
5. An Inspector Calls is full of lies and deceit. Write about the ways Priestley exposes weakness and wickedness, not only in the characters on stage, but also in society.
6. How does Priestley show the confidence of the Birlings in their position?
7. The Inspector’s inquiries make the Birlings quarrel among themselves. How does Priestley develop these internal conflicts during the play?
8. How does Priestley use dramatic devices to help add suspense to the action of the play, and to convey his ideas to the audience?