An Inspector Calls

Key Content List:

1.Context
2.Stage Directions and
Location
3.Character Analysis
4.Themes
5.Plot and Analysis
Context - What can you remember?
Who was J.B. Priestley and what do we
need to know about him?
• Born in Burnley, in the UK - closely linked to the fictional town of Brumley in the text
• Priestley experienced both WW1 and WW2
• Priestley served in WW1 (1911 – 1915) and he describes that these years ‘set their
stamp upon me’, meaning that he was incredibly affected by them.
• He had an issue with the way that poor officers were treated and this view is reflected
within his presentation of the behaviour of the classes in ‘An Inspector Calls’
• Known for political views and concerns about social inequality – started up the ‘Common
Wealth Party’, which encouraged a moral and collectivist approach to politics.
• War could be avoided through co-operation
• His highly successful radio show was cancelled due to concerns about his highly
politicised content
An Inspector Calls
Key Content List:
1. Context
2. Stage Directions and
Location
3. Character Analysis
4. Themes
5. Plot and Analysis
6. Example Question
Stage Directions/ Location and Setting –
What can you remember?
 What are Stage Directions?

stage direction
noun
an instruction in the text of a play
indicating the movement, position, or
tone of an actor, or the sound effects and
lighting.
 Important Examples from the Text

Stage Direction Example Locati Meaning

Type on in
the
text
Movement Pg. 1 /
Act 1
Position

Tone

Sound Effects

Lighting
 Stage Directions
The use of stage directions is very explicit in this play, possibly because Priestley wanted the
message of his play to be very specifically communicated to the audience.

• The stage directions indicate a number of things about the Birlings.

• 1. Wealth – the descriptions of the room and furniture, give the impression of a rich and
privileged background.
• 2. Relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Birling – Mr. Birling is at the top of the table, reflecting
the acceptable attitudes of the time, but also a potential emotional disconnect between
these two characters. You can describe ‘space’ as a metaphor for their separate relationship.
• 3. Change in the lighting – ‘pink and intimate, becomes ‘ brighter and harder’ when the
Inspector calls. Pink – rose tinted glasses reference – the Birling’s don’t live in the real world
and look at things in their own way. The ‘brighter and harder’ light could be the truth, and
also could be seen to be angelic. Also, behaves as a spot light on the Birlings’ mistakes.
 Stage Directions
• 4. Edna clearing the table – this highlights the social class of the
Birlings and the colonial way in which they appear to live at this time.
Further more, it would appear that she is clearing away the remains
of a celebration and this tells us that the family are celebrating,
particularly as it mentions that ‘they are all pleased with themselves’.
• 5. Focus on appearances – Each character is described in physical
detail, which highlights to the audience how much people were
judged on the basis of physical appearance at this time. It also leads
us to make a judgement on these characters before we meet them.
Location and Setting
Location
• There are a number of locations mentioned
outside of the dining room, where each of the
characters spend time outside of the family.
• This achieves two things:
• It seems like the members of the family all lead
different lives, that the rest of the family don’t
know about.
• It makes the dining room scenario even more
surreal and the life of the Birlings’ appear even
more detached from reality.
Setting
• Set in the fictional town of Brumley, in 1912
(although written in 1945). Essentially, this is a
social commentary on responsibility for the wars
and the audience watching would appreciate the
irony of Mr. Birling’s comments, which reflect the
ignorance of people at the time.
Characters in ‘An Inspector Calls’
 Quantity of Speech
Physical Description in Obsession with Status Birling uses speech to ensure that he can maintain control – as
the Stage Directions • Sheila’s marriage to his power diminishes, you can note that he speaks less and less.
‘ a heavy looking, rather Gerald is business We can surmise that that power does not lie in how much you
portentous man, in his deal to Birling – say, as the Inspector speaks little but maintains authority.
middle fifties with fairly ‘Crofts and Birling Whenever Birling is challenged, note that he responds
easy manners but are working ‘angrily’ in the stage directions. Note how this represents the
rather provincial in his together for lower change in how his character is presented by Priestley.
speech’ – Priestley gives costs and higher
us a number of ways in prices’ will be the Dramatic Irony and Mr. Birling – are guided to dislike Birling
which we can judge this result. and see him as ignorant!
character using fairly • He also has his own Birling states that worker/employer conflict will come to
leading description here ambitions - ‘I was nothing – BUT there are many riots from 1912 onwards
Lord Mayor here relating to this.
two years ago. He states that the Titanic is ‘ unsinkable, absolutely
There’s a very good unsinkable’. Say no more about this one!
chance of a He states that there will be no war with the Germans! How
knighthood’ wrong could he be, there were 2!!

A criticism of society
Mr. As a previous Lord Mayor, you would expect Birling to care for his
community, yet we learn that in reality he does not support this – as he
Birling refers to it as ‘community and all that nonsense’. Priestley is criticizing
those that would elect someone like Birling to this position.
 Mrs. Birling

An uncharitable charity worker Social Superiority

Brumley’s Women’s Charity From the beginning, Sybil
Organisation – Yet she will not show Birling is described as the
charity to Eva social superior and she is the
most callous and unforgiving
Responsibility of all the characters.
Mrs. Birling does not see others’ Priestley is commenting on
problems as her responsibility the cruelty of the upper
‘Go and look for the Father of the classes (an extreme
child. It’s his responsibility’. comment)

Stage Directions
The relationship between etiquette and moral standards ‘about fifty, a rather cold woman
Mrs. Birling is more concerned about the expectations of her and her husband's social
social status, than doing the right thing. superior’.
 Foreshadowing the future
Sheila Sheila expresses her concerns about where Gerald has been over the Summer:
‘Last Summer when you never came near me, and I wondered what had
Birling happened to you’

Traditional Values A change in Sheila Responsibility

In Act 1, Sheila seems like a silly, but
traditional girl. She reveals her insecurity
when she states that she doesn’t ‘feel
engaged’, until she receives her ring
from Gerald.
In Act 1, we discover that
Sheila has a part to play in
the demise of Eva Smith.
‘I told them that if they
didn’t get rid of that girl
(Eva Smith), I would
never go near the place
again’. However, she
changes and part of the
reason for this is that she
learns the importance of
responsibility, telling her
Mother: ‘stop before its
too late’.
Repetition of the word
‘responsible’ and
‘responsibility’ by Sheila,
reflects that this is always on
Sheila’s mind.
The Maturing of Sheila – the
‘other inspector’
Sheila becomes like the
Inspector in language and
behaviour as she seeks the
truth. She uses shock tactics,
questions, makes revelations
and contradictions.
 Gerald Croft
Gerald and Daisy Renton (Eva Smith)
Gerald – a changed man?
It is noted that Gerald did treat Eva well in some ways, yet she is his
Gerald takes the same attitude
Mistress and he met her in her role as a prostitute. He would not have
at the end of the play is similar
taken the relationship further due to her social class. He also makes her
to that of the Birling's; he is
homeless and leaves her in a desperate situation. The fact that Eva
more concerned about being
seemed to be happy as a result of her relationship with Gerald, makes we
caught than he is about the
as an audience, feel less angry with Gerald – she ‘didn’t blame me at all’.
action itself. ‘Everything is
alright now Sheila’.
Gerald – ‘a mixed bag’
Gerald is a gentleman, but
Gerald – the Gentleman
he has had a relationship
Gerald is a Croft – a wealthy family and is
with a prostitute and will
engaged to Sheila.
only protect a certain type of
Note that Mr. Birling’s engagement speech is
woman, like Sheila should be
directed primarily at Gerald, and not Sheila. He is
protected from ‘unpleasant
noted to be ‘the easy, well-bred young man,
and disturbing things’.
about town’.
 Eric – the silent one
Eric is often ignored and overlooked by
Eric Birling the other characters in Act 1. His Father
his far more pleasant to Gerald, his
future son in law.

Criminal Behaviour
Think about when the Inspector An awkward character
notes that there is a fine line Eric is socially awkward – he
between civil and criminal ‘guffaws’ at strange times, when he
behaviour. Eric is seemingly a doesn’t even find things funny in
gentleman, yet as he says himself, Act 1.
he got into a state where – ‘a
chap easily turns nasty’.
He steals from his Father to give
Eva money, forces himself upon Nature Nurture
Eva and gets her pregnant, and Eric treats Eva badly, but we can
Scandal
admits to a drinking problem. probably surmise that some of the
Eric’s behaviour will cause scandal
However, he wants to take reasons for this behaviour are likely
for the Birlings and they are keen to
responsibility: ‘it’s about the girl the way in which he has been
ensure damage limitation. Note
and what we all did to her that brought up by the Birlings’ to be
that Gerald also did the same, but
matters’. insecure and unhappy himself.
he didn’t get caught out!
Eva Smith /Daisy
Are Daisy and Eva the same person?
Perhaps the Inspector is playing mind games – the name
‘Daisy’ as a new alias is important, as it represents a new

Renton start. However, it also links to the phrase of ‘pushing up

the daisies’, which is synonymous with death.

Ironically, Eva Smith is presented as one of the most moral characters in the play.
Notably in the fact that she refuses to marry Eric and take his money.
This ironic because on the surface, she is judged because of the actions that she takes due to her desperation i.e.
prostitution. She is also judged on the basis of her social class; she is not considered by polite society to be someone who can
have moral attributes.
Eva – the ‘silent woman’
Interestingly, for a character that has so much bearing on
the events of the play, it is very significant that Eva does
not actually feature at all in person and her story is told
to use by Inspector Goole. This highlights to us, that
without support, Eva would have no voice – see Mr.
Birling incident, and therefore, she relies on good people
A woman who stands up for her rights to ensure that she is fairly treated. This is likely to be a
Eva was originally let go by Mr. Birling because she comment by Priestly as to how women were
championed higher wages for herself and her co treated/represented at this time – the ‘silent gender’.
workers. She was also a ‘good worker’, by Mr. Birling’s
own admission, so perhaps she deserved an increase.

Inspector Goole
Inspector ‘Ghoul’
This is a play on words (pun)
and we can surmise that
either/or:
• this is a reference to him
being an allusion
• or a figure from the
afterlife – linking to the
allegorical nature of the
play.
A ‘classless’ Inspector
The Inspector does not have
a class – he wears a ‘plainish
dark suit of the period’ and
therefore, is not judged
upon this neither does he
observe this as important.
He adopts an approach of
equality for all.
Characteristics
Strategist – The Inspector will only Stage Directions
allow the characters access/to discuss
one by one
Note the stage directions
regarding light and the ‘sharp
Blunt – the Inspector discusses the ring’ of the doorbell –
death of Eva Smith in a straightforward something that cannot be
manner - ‘burned her insides out’ ignored
Note that his presence is
described as ‘massive’.
Is the Inspector a
Metaphor?
The Inspector manages
to ensure that each
and every character
reveals their truth
through out the play.
Does he represent their
conscience or guilt?
(Metaphor)
 Key Themes in ‘An Inspector Calls’
• Pre-War Britain
• Family Life
• Social Responsibility
• Personal Responsibility
• Gender Differences
• Morality and Judgement
• Social Class
• Generational Differences
• Capitalism
Pre War Britain – it’s important to note the changes in society
between the time set and the era in which the audience lived as this
would affect how they would receive the message of the play.
1912 1945
• A world prior to the Great War • Leadership was questioned as a direct result
of both wars and their huge losses
• Society was clearly divided by class • Social classes were more fluid and
• Men had all the power – had questioned by citizens
property and could vote • Industries were floored by employer rights
and strikes
• Government support was not • The Labour Party won the 1945 election,
generous for the lower classes with a very different view of the class
system.
• The world was headed toward The
• The economy was in a mess – reference the
Great War 1929 Wall Street Crash and Great Depression
Family Life
Act 1 - a perfect family?
• At the beginning of the play, it
would seem that the family are
close in their celebration of the
engagement of Sheila and
Gerald.
• The men go out to work and
control the money and the
conversation, and the women
have a life that revolves around
marriage and domestic
responsibilities.
• The older Birlings seem to be in
control of the younger Birlings.
Act 2 – A change in power
With the Inspector’s arrival and
his various revelations, the
power shifts within the Birling
family.
• Sheila challenges her Mother
and Father regularly, and Eric
does not really feature in
this Act until the very end.
Act 3 – fractured family unit
• Birling consistently tries to
protect his wife and
daughter from Eric’s
revelations
• Eric comments that his
Father was ‘not a kind of
Father a chap could go to
when he’s in trouble’
Personal Responsibility
On page 18, we can note a turning point in the text, as the first mention
of responsibility is made by Sheila Birling.
Here’s how the characters view their own responsibility:
Mrs. Birling: No change Sheila Birling
‘I did nothing I am ashamed of’ Eric Birling ‘I behaved badly I am ashamed of it’
Act 2 ‘You lot may be letting (Stage Directions: She looks as if she’s
yourselves out nicely, but I been crying) – Act 1
Mr. Birling: No change can’t. Nor can Mother. We
‘I can’t accept any did her in (Eva) alright’
responsibility’ – Act 1 Act 3
Gender Differences
Some Context:
In the early 1900’s – society was dominated by men, and women were seen as fragile
and the property of their husbands.
Priestley uses the text to convey male and female stereotypes.
Men – Men worked and didn’t have to follow the same rules are women
Women - females are impressed by the superficial – see Sheila’s reference to the
engagement ring
However, at this point, women started to want more for themselves.
Priestley observes these changes in the characters of Eva and Sheila
Eva – Eva stands up for her rights and she does not take money from Eric
Sheila – Develops a more mature attitude and accepts responsibility
Morality and Judgement
Religious morality plays traditionally focused on the 7 deadly sins – pride, greed,
lust, envy, gluttony, anger and sloth. This type of play focuses on the confession of
sin and repentance of sins for forgiveness.
Note how we could link these to the characters in ‘Inspector Calls’
• Birling – Greed / Anger
• Gerald – Lust
• Eric – Lust
• Sheila – Envy
• Mrs. Birling – Pride/Sloth (spiritual)
However, God is not judging the characters in this play, it is the Inspector.
Therefore, this is a moral and not a religious play – and is therefore allegorical.
 Context! There is an argument that this play focuses on
the responsibility that many had to the causation of the
Social Responsibility two world wars and that Priestley was warning that this
would happen again if people did not take responsibility.

‘We don’t live alone. We are members of one body – we are responsible for
each other’
These lines are delivered by the Inspector at the end of the play, and they
reflect the socialist message of Priestley’s play – that we should all care for one
another otherwise there will be consequences, as referenced in this play, as the
death of Eva Smith.

‘The time will come when, if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be
taught it in fire and blood and anguish. Good night.’
The final words of the Inspector are a warning to all to change their ways and
reflect the social message and are an articulation of Priestley’s own concerns.
 Social Class – Characters are used to present this
theme through behaviour and their perceptions
Lower Class: Eva Smith Upper Class: Gerald ( and Mrs.
Smith is one of the most common Middle Class: The Birlings Birling before she married)
names, if not the most common name The Birlings are business Gerald is from a family who
in the UK, therefore Eva is supposed to owners who are wealthy and inherited money and own land,
symbolize that many similar people live well. therefore, is considered to be of
would share her experiences in the UK the highest class.
at this time – as a working class
person, and as a woman.

The relationships between these classes were fractured
but by far those that suffered the most were the lower
classes. Their issues were either not known about,
ignored or simply people did not care about them.
These classes had very little social mobility (ability to
develop) and were rarely supported and often abused by
their middle and upper class superiors.
What does Priestley want us to think?
Priestley is commenting on society and that no one
takes responsibility for each other. This is clearly geared
toward appearing unjust – and the working classes
suffer the most in the class system. The Inspector is a
classless person, who judges people on merit and not
by class – that’s perhaps how Priestley wishes that
society really should treat and judge people.
Generational Differences
Noting the similarities between Mr and Mrs Birling – this demonstrates that they represent a genuine social force –
where one character displays certain behaviours, we do not always take them seriously, where two behave this way,
we see them as a more credible force and here a larger barrier.
The Younger Birlings vs. The Older Birlings
Note how often Mr. Birling refers to Sheila as a ‘child’ and Sheila and Eric are child like at the start.
‘The younger ones are more impressionable’ – the Inspector notes that the younger characters can change
Even at the point where everyone thinks that there was no Inspector or dead girl, Eric and Sheila are still sorry and
feel that they should learn from the experience.

Differences in attitude to responsibility .

Note that the older Birlings define responsibility as financial and to their themselves and their family, where the
younger Birlings see responsibility as social and to the community.
See the Responsibility Slide for the Quotations
The older generation actually believe that once they are off the hook, they don’t need to change. Priestley is
highlighting the role of the younger generation, and how they can improve things for the future by being open to
change and taking responsibility to avoid making future mistakes.
Capitalism - is an economic system based on private ownership
of the means of production and their operation for profit
A Romantic Business
A ‘girl of that sort’ should not want more
Mr Birling to Gerald –‘Crofts Ltd money.
are both older and bigger than Eva wants more money and this upsets the
Birling and company – perhaps Capitalist Birling, who does not want to
pay out more, rather make more!
we may look forward to a time Therefore, he sacks her even though she
when Croft and Birling are no was a good worker.
longer competing but working ‘She had a lot to say, far too much, so she
together – for lower costs and had to go’.
higher prices’.

Ultimately, Capitalism benefited the middle and upper classes as they could make
money from it, where the lower class could never improve their standard of living or
ask for more in terms of wages and benefits as this would decrease what the
middle/upper class employer made in profits. It was an elitist system!
Plot Line and Analysis
Act 1 Plot Line and ‘the important parts’
Act 1:
• The Birlings are ‘very pleased with themselves’ - the audience join the Birlings
part way through celebrating the engagement of Sheila Birling and Gerald Croft.
• So many secrets – there are hints that not all is right with the Birlings. Where
was Gerald last Summer? Why do Sheila and Mrs. Birling have to leave the
room?
• Mr. Birling, the expert on everything – Mr. Birling likes to tell everyone else
about how much he knows about EVERYTHING. Priestley uses dramatic irony
to reveal the extent of Birling’s stupidity and ignorance and also lead us to
question about whether he is right about other things that happen in the play.
Observe the notes on Mr. Birling for more detail.
Act 1 Plot Line and ‘the important parts’
Act 1:
• Introducing Inspector Goole - As the title suggests, ‘an inspector calls’, and he reveals
the death of a young woman, Eva Smith. His news and manner, change the tone of the
play, contrasting the light hearted and superficial tone of the play’s introduction.
• Admitting Responsibility – The Inspector reveals the role of each character in Eva
Smith’s death, one be one, by showing them a photograph of the woman and letting
them tell their version. Here we hear of Sheila and Mr. Birling’s responsibility in this.
• In this Act, we discover that:
Birling sacked Eva after she led a request for higher wages, causing her to have no
money
Sheila had Eva sacked from her next position, as she looked prettier in a dress than she
did, and she thought that Eva had been laughing at her.
 Analysing Act 1
Act 1:
• The theme of ‘Generational Differences’ is apparent in this scene, as Sheila and Eric
are sympathetic toward Eva Smith, where as their parents are not.
• Both ‘Generational Differences’ and ‘Gender Differences’ are apparent in the
treatment of Sheila in Act 1. She is repeatedly asked to leave for fear that she
cannot cope. However, she stays out of a sense of duty, which shows her strength.
• The significance of Daisy Renton – the audience learns that Eva’s circumstances
were so severe that she had to change her name to make a fresh start. Consider
how Priestley uses the name ‘Daisy’ (natural imagery) to reflect new beginnings)
• Sheila and Gerald – Gerald confesses to Sheila and this highlights the things that
women were expected to face men’s indiscretions as part of their relationships
(Gender Differences)
Act 2 Plot Line and ‘the important parts’
Act 2:
• The Spotlight is on Gerald
Gerald continued his affair with Daisy Renton, and it creates a real dilemma for the audience. This is because
Gerald is a character that has sought to protect women, but here this is passive aggressive mistreatment.
• The Spotlight is on Mrs. Birling
Mrs. Birling appears the quintessential house wife in Act 1, yet here she is revealed to have a wholly different side
that is perhaps the biggest shock of the entire play. Notably, she is of the highest social standing, yet is the most
cruel and uncultured in her treatment of others.
When a pregnant Eva visits Mrs. Birling to ask for help, Mrs. Birling refuses her and persuades the committee to
do the same. She describes the father of the child, but she will not reveal his identity. She is refused support by
Mrs. Birling, and when pressed by the inspector, Mrs. Birling blames the Father of the child.
• Who is Sheila?
• Sheila knows that Eric is responsible and here we see a development in her character as her astute and
reflective nature is increasingly revealed to us at this point. She also becomes more assertive in demanding that
her Mother and fiancé, are equally reflective and responsive to the Inspector’s questions. And then Eric walks
in.
 Analysing Act 2
Act 2:
 Gender differences are explored in Act 2; particularly, the way that women of different
classes in society. It is indicated that where Gerald met Eva when she was working as a
prostitute, at The Palace Stalls. Men are allowed to choose how women can meet their
needs, where women do not have these choices.
Generational Differences are apparent, where the younger generation have to force the
older to meet their responsibility.
Social class plays a part in how much people believe others: Mrs. Birling does not believe
Eva – ‘a girl of that sort’, and as a result, believes her story to be ‘ridiculous’.
Sheila presents the idea of reflection/ learning about life indicating that she cannot marry
Gerald as the lessons that have been learned have changed her.
All the major characters bar Gerald appear in this Act- indicating that all the family stand
trial and inviting the idea that these behaviors have been bred in the children.
Act 3 Plot Line and ‘the important parts’
Act 3:
• The break down of the Birlings
• All Eyes on Eric – the ‘confession’
Eric reveals himself to be the Father and his childish and insensitivity are revealed. There
are questions here about who is responsible for the way that he has ended up.
• Birling’s reaction
Reputation is key in this text and Birling asks the women to leave. He is concerned that
Eric’s dealings with a prostitute and admission of rape, will call the family into disrepute.
• Sybil and Eric
Mrs. Birling reveals to Eric that she is the one that turned Eva away and played a part in
the death of Eva and their child.
Act 3 Plot Line and ‘the important parts’
Act 3:
• The Inspector has his say
The Inspector highlights the fault of each of the family members, one by one. He then goes on to detail
the fallout and lessons learned.
• The Family breaks down
After the departure of the Inspector, there is a continued focus on who is to blame and attempts to
minimize damage.
• Who has learned from this experience?
Everyone is ashamed about the events, but some are more concerned by reputation than they are by
what they have done wrong.
• Is the Inspector real?
After Sheila’s wonderings, and Gerald’s news that there is not an Inspector Goole in the force, Birlings via
phone call that Eva . There are different views on whether or not the above question is important? This
also exposes the generational gap.
Act 3 Plot Line and ‘the important parts’
• Act 3:
• The role of Gerald
Gerald splits the family further and he is as quick to try and forget about the
events of the evening as the senior Birlings are. He asks Sheila to marry him for
a second time, almost as if he feels that he can continue as he left off before
the Inspector arrived. She on the other hand, has grown, she doesn’t agree to
marry him again at this time.

• The phone rings – a call from the outside world

‘A girl has died and an inspector will call’ – and so the plot line continues and
the game begins all over again with the second ‘sharp ring’ in this play.
 Analysing Act 3
Act 3:
• Reputation comes before real family attachment – Mrs. Birling presents the perfect family, yet
she does not have a close relationship with them. Reputation has come at a price.
• Each character is vulnerable at this point, and most likely to listen to the Inspector’s
impending speech.
• We see different types of learning – the reflection that we see in Sheila is not present in Mr.
Birling, who has simply learnt a lot of things that he does not want to hear, when he says he’s
‘learnt plenty’.
• Gerald ‘the inspector’ – Gerald summarises what has happened for the other characters, but
he is keen to paste over the cracks and present the idea that there has been no crime and it is
all a hoax. Perhaps Priestley is using Gerald to demonstrate how people in a position of
authority can use their power to play down and ignore the truth.
How Language and Structure is Used
Use of Language and Techniques
• Engagement Language – the language of the Birlings in the early stages of Act 1, is playful and
genial. It also reflects their class – ‘jingo’ and ‘chaps’.
• Language of Inspector Goole – Goole is straightforward and abrupt, (according to the older
Birlings – ‘rude’ and ‘impertinent’). He describes the death of Eva using graphic imagery and
stage directions reflect his manner – ‘cutting in massively’. His short and controlled language
contrasts his final speech before he leaves the Birlings, which is detailed and passionate. We
sense here that his time here is at an end.
• The language of Maturity – In particular Sheila, who calls her Father ‘Daddy’, at the beginning
of the play, becomes more confident and mature in her use of more straightforward and
sometimes confrontational language.
• Techniques are used in connection with particular characters:
1. Dramatic Irony – used in relation to Birling and his ignorance
2. Use of Euphemism - the Birlings hide the truth by not saying exactly what they mean - i.e. ‘a
girl of that sort’ (Eva Smith)
Use of Structure
• A detective story – ‘ a who-dunnit’ style plot line
• Use of Dramatic Irony
• Flash back/ Flash forward
• Location and Setting – see previous notes
• Use of entrances and exits of characters for effect – represent escape
• A slow build up of expected and surprise events
• Cliff Hangers – note Act 1 leading to Act 2 – ‘Who’ – the Inspector
• Use of sentences – to repress information/ shows that characters have something to
hide
• Long periods of speech – dramatic monologue
• Confessional style interview – Q and A