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‘An Inspector Calls’ EXAM ESSENTIALS (How can I revise best

info quickly?)
Arthur Birling - greed Sybil Birling - pride Eric Birling - lust Sheila Birling - jealousy
 ‘Just a knighthood of  ‘-Girls of that class!’ (Eva) ‘Why shouldn’t they try for ‘these girls aren’t cheap
course’ (to Gerald)  ‘You’re behaving like a higher wages’ labour, they’re people’
 ‘The Germans don’t want hysterical child’ (to Sheila) ‘I hate those fat old tarts’ ‘she was very pretty’
war’. Dramatic irony.  ‘a piece of gross ‘It’s what happened to the ‘It’s you two who are
 ‘Look Inspector, I’d give impertinence – quite girl and what we all did being childish – trying
thousands, thousands…’ deliberate’ (about Eva) that matters’ not to face the facts’

Status important. Self- Importance of etiquette, Slightly distanced at start Represents typical upper-
made man. Represents ‘proper’ behaviour. (seated downstage) middle class woman.
patriarchal attitudes & Arguably sheltered/naïve. Drunk (‘you’re squiffy’). Arguably trapped by
capitalism. Hubris. Tries to Superior. Thinks lower class Hints of anger & sexual gender conventions.
bribe Inspector at end. should show respect. violence. Changes at end Shows regret: breaks free
Gerald Croft - adultery Edna the parlourmaid Inspector Goole -morality Eva Smith/ Daisy Renton
‘For God’s sake – don’t say ‘Ma’am’, ‘sir’  ‘burnt her inside out, of ‘a lively, good-looking
anything to the Inspector’ ‘Please, sir, an inspector’s course’/ ‘chain of events’ girl’ - Mr Birling
‘We’re respectable citizens called”/ ‘It’s Mr Croft’ ‘We don’t live alone. We ‘in a way she treated me
not criminals’ “‘All right, Edna. Show are members of one body’ - as if I were a kid’ Eric
‘Everything’s all right now him in here. Give us ‘If men will not learn that ‘there are millions &
Sheila. What about this some more light.” lesson, they will be taught millions of Eva Smiths…’
ring?’ it in fire & blood & anguish
Represents aristocracy & Represents the invisible Role of catalyst: brings Represents the universal
privilege. Surface image of working-class. Expected to change reveals hidden oppression and suffering
respectability, humility, silently serve. Symbolically secrets. God-like. Ghost? of working-class women.
false modesty. Doesn’t lets Inspector in (working Could represent voice of Spirited. Rebels against
change: status quo kept. class brings social change) Priestley/ morality/1945 social expectations.
Stage Directions: Lighting significance: Dramatic Irony: Use of Time:
Props show wealth &  ‘Lighting should be pink ‘The Titanic, unsinkable,  Play ends ‘full circle’:
status: champagne glasses & intimate’: nostalgic, absolutely unsinkable’: mankind doesn’t change.
‘heavily comfortable but rose-tinted view of life emphasises hubris & Idea of time repeating
not cosy and home-like’ –  ‘brighter & harder when entitlement of higher until lessons learned
suggests trapped by Inspector arrives’: family classes. Makes reader feel  Inspector arrives as Birling
social status & tradition. ‘crimes’ will be revealed outraged & judge Birling gives capitalist view

Disinfectant motif: The ring motif: Form/Genre of play: Set Design/doors:

Motif of poison (bleach) Ring symbolises tradition, Morality play exploring Closed doors can represent
represents toxic class patriarchy, ownership of ideas of right & wrong. barriers. Dining room end
structure harming working women. Sheila returns Also ‘Whodunnit’ crime: Act 1 ‘door slowly opens’:
classes. But fresh start? ring. Eva refuses Eric popular genre at the time truth is coming out.
Metaphor of ‘walls’: symbolises class Repetition Eva as ‘pretty’: Repetition ‘of course’: Goole
barriers /tradition. ‘Mother, you mustn’t try to Gendered world: women echoes Mr B’s use of ‘of course’
build up a kind of wall between us & that girl’. judged on looks. Eva exploited exposes inevitability Eva’s death

START of play: false appearance of
‘perfect’, idealistic upper-middle
class family. Priestley encourages
1945 audience to judge excessive
wealth & façade of respectability.
Foreshadowing: Mr Birling ‘as long
as we…don’t…start a public scandal’
HEART of play: CONTRAST of
reactions of older & younger. Mrs
B’s wall of superiority: ‘a trifle
impertinent’ (to Goole) ‘You and I
aren’t the same people who sat
down to dinner here’, (Sheila to
Gerald) signals moment of hope for
END of play: Act 3 builds to a climax
of Birling façade destroyed: Mrs B
‘very distressed’, Mr B’s bribery offer,
Eric ‘breaking point’. Inspector’s
speech: moment possible redemption
but Mr & Mrs B revert to earlier roles.
Gerald’s key role in ignoring lesson
‘Well?’ at end of Act1 echoes voice next generation if honest & open (protecting his privilege). End call =
of audience questioning the family. and if gender/social walls broken. ‘they stare guiltily & dumbfounded’