1. Sheila What are 4 key quotations? Writer’s intentions
““I’m sorry daddy. Actually I was listening.
She looks attentive, as they all do. He holds them for a moment before continuing”
“If she’d have been some miserable plain little creature, I don’t suppose I’d have done it. But she was very pretty and looked as if she could take care of herself. I couldn’t be sorry for her”
“I don't dislike you as I did half an hour ago, Gerald. In fact, in some odd way, I rather respect you more than I've ever done before. …. But this has made a difference. You and I aren't the same people who sat down to dinner here”
“I behaved badly too. I know I did. I’m ashamed of it. But now you’re beginning all over again to pretend that nothing much has happened”
Writer’s intentions
The writer intends to show the detrimental impact of younger generation blindly following the capitalist philosophy
What do we know about her?
She starts the play as a traditional higher class character who feels that she has a right to the life she currently leads. She treats those of the lower class with disrespect and abuses her power.
As the play progresses she begins to realise the damage blindly following the higher class traditions can cause and she takes responsibility for the impact that her actions have on humanity (symbolised through the way she treats Eva.)
By the end of the text she is critical of her parents and the ‘1912’ capitalist mentality.
What are the key themes?
Responsibility
Gender
Class
Age
Context link
Sheila transitions from a capitalist to socialist philosophy
She breaks away from being a traditional 1912 female
Any Questions

2. Eric Responsibility Class Age What are 4 key quotations?
“Eric is in his early twenties, not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive”
“All the best! She’s got a nasty temper sometimes – but she’s not bad really. God old Sheila”
“no she didn’t want me to marry her. Said I didn’t love her – and all that. In a way, she treated me – as if I were a kid”
‘I don’t see much nonsense about it when a girl goes and kills herself. You lot may be letting yourselves out nicely but I can’t”
Writer’s intentions
The writer intends to show how characters are shaped by their environment and choices. He also represents how the younger generation are present as contrasting the older generation
What do we know about him?
Eric is always a mysterious character. From the very beginning Priestley hints that something is not right with Eric and his drinking is also another indication of this.
As the text develops we can see that Eric is an unsettled character who doesn’t always agree with his father’s opinions causing tension between the pair.
Towards the end of the text Eric’s secret is revealed and we see that, although Eric went about the situation in the wrong way, he did have the right intentions and he did try to take responsibility for his actions
What are the key themes?
Responsibility
Class
Age
Context link
Eric questions the traditional role of a male within the family and the traditions to which an upper class citizen is expected to follow.
He is conflicted within the capitalist and socialist world
Any Questions

3. Mr Birling Responsibility Class Age Writer’s intentions
What are 4 key quotations?
“Hard headed man of business”
“unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable”
“It’s my duty to keep labour costs down, and if I’d agreed to this demand for a new rate we’d have added about twelve percent to our labour costs.”
“but the whole thing’s different now”
Writer’s intentions
The writer intends to criticise how old and outdated a capitalist approach to the world in, therefore supporting his socialist beliefs.
What do we know about him?
Mr Birling is a stereotypical capitalist of He main concern is his reputation and his business and he will do anything to protect them.
He cares about his family and expects them to conduct themselves in a particular way. However he is critical of Eric.
Mr Birling is often seen by readers as a ridiculous and foolish character and makes us question his opinions.
Mr Birling views the Inspector as a threat to everything that he holds dear and therefore battles against the lessons that the Inspector is there to teach.
What are the key themes?
Responsibility
Class
Age
Context link
Mr Birling is the symbol of capitalism and we criticise capitalism due to how we criticise him
Traditional upper class man who strives to remain in that class
Any Questions

4. Mrs Birling Responsibility Class Age Gender Writer’s intentions
What are 4 key quotations?
““ Now Sheila don’t tease him. When you’re married you’ll realise that men with important work to do sometimes have to spend nearly all their time and energy on their business. You’ll get used to that, just as I had.”
“It sounded so ridiculous to me. So I was perfectly justified in advising my committee not to allow her claim for assistance.
I’m sorry she should have come to such a horrible end. But I accept no blame for it”
“You’ve had children. You must have known what she was feeling. And you slammed the door in her face.”
“I was the only one of you who didn’t give in to him. And now I say we must discuss this business quietly and sensibly and decide if there’s anything to be done”
Writer’s intentions
The writer intends to criticise how people in power do not support those who they are supposed to support. They abuse their power for their own gains.
What do we know about her?
Mr Birling is a stereotypical capitalist of She is the matriarch of the family and has high expectations of her children.
Although Mrs Birling is head of a charity she has little sympathy for those who are less fortunate. She blames them for their own misfortune and does not see it as the upper classes’ responsibility. This is her opinion with Eva Smith and she abuses her power to punish Eva.
She tries to blame the father for the pregnancy and inadvertently admits that her family is to blame however she will not recognise this and refuses all responsibility.
What are the key themes?
Responsibility
Class
Age
Gender
Context link
Mrs Birling is the symbol of the ignorant upper class. She ignores any heartache that doesn’t directly impact her. She does not acknowledge poverty and blames the poor for their own predicament
Any Questions

5. Gerald Responsibility Class Age What are the key themes? Context link
What are 4 key quotations?
“wouldn’t dream of it. In fact I insist upon being one of the family now. I’ve been trying long enough haven’t I?”
“I don’t come into this suicide business.”
Gerald ‘‘had some affection for her and made her happy for a time.’”
“Everything’s alright now Sheila.(holds up the ring) What about this ring?
Writer’s intentions
The writer intends to show how being passive doesn’t help the development of social responsibility
What do we know about him?
Gerald is involved within this scenario due to his engagement with Sheila. To begin with Gerald is a traditional suitor for an upper class lady. He is respected by Mr Birling and is a valued business man.
As the play develops we start to become aware of Gerald’s flaws however we don’t completely dislike him. Although his acts can be perceived as selfish he does act through care and the audience doesn’t completely dislike him.
At the end he provides the opportunity for the Birlings to reject any responsibility they had for Eva’s death.
What are the key themes?
Responsibility
Class
Age
Context link
Gerald is the person that Priestley is aiming his message at. He is a capitalist who follows the traditions expected of him without question.
Any Questions

6. Inspector Goole Responsibility Class What are the key themes?
What are 4 key quotations?
“Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges”
“We don’t live alone. We are all members of one body. We are responsible for each other”
“This girl killed herself—and died a horrible death. But each of you helped to kill her. Remember that. Never forget it. But then I don’t think you ever will.”
“There are 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, with what we think and do. We don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.”
Writer’s intentions
The writer intends to show how archaic the capitalist message is and promote the benefits of socialism
What do we know about him?
From his entrance the Inspector has had an sense of mystery surrounding him. He immediately demands authority and changes the tone straight away.
The Inspector systematically pulls apart the capitalist argument of Eva Smith’s death and the excuses given by the individuals.
He promotes the idea of socialism and is symbolic of Priestley’s ideals.
What are the key themes?
Responsibility
Class
Context link
The Inspector symbolises Priestley’s message and the change in society within It questions the class boundaries and promotes compassion between humans
Any Questions

7. Eva Smith Responsibility Class Gender What are the key themes?
What are 3 key quotations?
“with…few friends, lonely, half- starved, she was feeling desperate’/ ‘alone, friendless, almost penniless”
She was “cheap labour”
“she lies with a burnt out inside on a slab’/’she died in misery and agony – hating life”
Writer’s intentions
The writer intends to show how the upper class’ ignorance is crippling to the poor regardless of the poors efforts.
What do we know about her?
Eva never appears within the text however she impacts greatly on the characters within it and her influence is quite clear.
She is the victim of capitalism and symbolises the suffering of the poor at the hands of the upper class
She is shown as an innocent young girl trying to progress in life and she is rejected at every opportunity by those in power.
She symbolises the people that Priestley is trying to highlight and support
What are the key themes?
Responsibility
Class
Gender
Context link
Eva Smith symbolises the plight of the poor at the hands of the upper class
Any Questions