An Inepctor Call - Characters Flashcards
(17 cards)
How does Eric birling take advantage of Eva smith?
“I was in a state when a chap easily turns nasty” portrays Eric to acknowledge what he did but he is trying to justify and make excuses for his actions and not take accountability for them. It implies Eric felt entitled and empowered in the moment to use Eva, without thinking about what it would do to her. His excused reveal their relationship was not serious, it meant very little to Eric and he didn’t respect the relationship.
“I couldn’t remember her name” implies that Eric took advantage of Eva by treating her as unimportant and forgettable. It highlights his lack of genuine care or respect for her, demonstrating that he saw her more as a way to satisfy his own needs than as a real person. This reflects how he used his power and privilege to exploit her, without thinking about the impact of his actions. Priestley uses this to expose the selfishness and irresponsibility of the upper class, especially in how they treat vulnerable people like Eva.
How is Eric birling presented as remorseful / ashamed?
“You lot may be letting yourselves out nicely, but I can’t” highlights a clear difference from his earlier attitudes of excusing and justifying his actions. Eric feels a deep and genuine guilt which he can not dismiss, he is not influence by his families denial of their responsibility. He now takes accountability for his role in Eva’s death demonstrating he is taking the situation seriously and has become more self aware, unlike his parents. He clearly shows he has a sense of social responsibility. The use of “you lot” indicates a clear divide between him and the older Birlings. He’s frustrated that they’re trying to move on without truly accepting blame, highlighting the generational conflict and gap in the play.
“don’t forget I’m ashamed of you as well” demonstrates Eric developed maturity and acceptance of responsibility which has come from the realisation and guilt of his past actions, contrasting with his parents’ denial. By stating that his is ashamed of his parents, Eric acknowledges the collective nature of the wrongdoings. Eric’s willingness to confront his parents gives a sense of hope for the future, that they will learn from their past mistakes. Links to priestly wanting a socialist society not a capitalist.
How is Eric birling presented as patronised?
“You youngsters” the patronisation contributes to Eric’s immature behaviour at the begging of the play. It reflects Mr Birling’s belief that young people are naive, inexperienced, and not to be taken seriously. Priestley uses this to criticize the arrogance of the older generation and their failure to learn from their mistakes.
“Just you keep out of this” presents mr birling to want to have control of the situation, he believes Eric will say something to damage their reputation. Mr birling sees the inspector as a threat to their social standing. The shutting down of Eric reflects the generational conflict and lack of respect from the older generation. Eric’s input I seen as not valuable and he is seen as a child.
How is Sheila birling presented as aware?
“Why-you fool-he knows!” Implies Sheila is perceptive unlike the others as she has always been spoken for and never shown her intelligence. In this moment it reflects Sheila’s developing maturity and she is starting to take the situation seriously. The insult “you fools” portrays her to be becoming frustrated that no one is taking it serious and they are slow to catch onto the inspector. Priestly constructed Sheila’s reaction to give a sense of hope for the future generation.
“He’s giving us the rope so that we’ll hang ourselves” reveals Sheila is quick to catch on to the inspector. This demonstrates Sheila’s maturity development as she is no longer naïve and belittled. Priestley uses Sheila’s insight to highlight the contrast between the younger and older generations - while the older characters try to protect their reputations, Sheila accepts responsibility and begins to change. This reflects Priestley’s message that hope for a better, more responsible society lies with the younger generation.
How is Sheila birling presented as matures?
“Mummy” “daddy” shifts to “mum” “dad” initially Sheila was youthful, reliant and obedient to her parents, which was the stereotypical family dynamic with the child being obedient. But the shift reflects her development from being naïve and controlled to independent and mature. The shift implies how Sheila’s will continue to develop and mature, allowing her to take responsibility of her actions unlike her parents, who’s weee initially controlling her. Sheila is now making her own decisions giving the future hope. Sheila’s change could highlight the impact of the inspector and shows the importance of independent thoughts. This could reflect suffragette movement and fight for women’s rights.
Stage directions: comes back in and closes door behind her Sheila’s action demonstrates she is accepting responsibility and no longer running away from what she has done. She is taking the situation seriously and focused on what the inspector has to say. Closing the door shuts the characters off from the outside world, intensifying the focus on what’s happening in the room. It builds tension and emphasizes that they can’t escape the consequences of their actions.
“Fire, blood, and anguish” Sheila repeats the inspectors warning indications she has become the inspectors proxy. Sheila has taken in and understood what the inspector has has to say and reflected on the social inequalities and wants to change. She is trying to teach the inspectors message to her obdurate family, lessons of socialism and collective social responsibility. Sheila has now become disillusioned with the ideas of capitalism due to a result of the inspectors visit, she is now a social advocate.
How is Sheila birling presented as protected / belittled?
“Run along” mr birling command highlights his dismissive attitudes towards Shiela, reflecting the patriarchal society and power dynamics. Mr birling is not interested in Sheila’s concerns or questions reinforcing how she is belittled and treated as a child. The phrase contrasts sharply with Sheila’s awareness emphasising her father’s limited perspective.
“There isn’t the slightest reason why my daughter should be dragged into this unpleasant business” I dictated how Sheila is dismissed and belittled by her father. Mr birling wants to shield Sheila from the harsh realities of the world and the possible consequences of her actions. The quote highlights the power dynamics as me birling is controlling Sheila and deciding what she can and can’t be involved in.
How is Arthur birling presented as foolish?
“Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable” the dramatic irony portrays mr birling to be unreliable and overconfident, considering the titanic sunk in 1912 and play play was written in 1945 but set in 1912. Priestly constructed mr birling to be like this to make the audience not take him seriously but also make them realise his capitalist views are ridiculous and unreasonable.
“Germans don’t want war”
How is Arthur birling presented as superior?
“Hard-headed, particle man of business” reveals his selfish, capitalist mindset and his lack of responsibility. My birling proudly describes himself signifying admiration for himself.
“If you don’t come down sharply on some of these people, they’d soon be asking for the earth” metaphorical dialogue reveals his capitalist and class-based views, with a lack of empathy and social responsibility. He believes keeping control over the working class is essential for business and social stability. “Come down sharply” indicates mr birlings belief in hierarchy, because he thinks he has authority over the working class as he is upper class. Priestly uses this quite to criticise mr birlings attitudes as priestly wants the audience to recognise those views are harmful and we should look after the working class, with socialist views.
How is Arthur birling presented as values reputation?
“I’ve got to cover this up as soon as I can” reflects that mr birling is deeply and only concerned about his reputation and public image, rather than acknowledging his family’s involvement in Eva’s death. Mr birling doesn’t want to reflect on his families wrongdoings or face the truth, he wants to cover it up so no one knows what they have done.
“When this comes out…isn’t going to do us much good” reveals mr birlings only concern is his own and his families reputation and the damage that this situation could cause them, rather than feeling resourceful or guilty and acknowledging his actions in his involvement in Eva’s death. It highlights mr birlings capitalist mindset, focusing on business above all, showing no empathy.
How is Sybil birling presented as arrogant?
“He certainly didn’t make me confess” indicates Mrs birlings unwillingness to accept responsibility as she believes she has done no wrongdoings leading to Eva’s death. It also indicates Mrs Birling feels pride in not accepting and owning her actions, she views admitting her wrongdoings is a weakness. “Confess” reveals Mrs birling has realised she has caused harm and had an impact on Eva’s death, however she doesn’t want to admit it as it will bring down her social image.
How is Sybil birling presented as lacking regret / unmoved?
“I did nothing I’m ashamed of” highlights her lack of empathy and her unwillingness to accept responsibility. This demonstrates Mrs birling is not willing to learn or change her ways. Her statement reinforces her upper-class attitude, where she sees herself as superior to those in lower social classes and believes that their problems are their own fault.
“Your quite wrong to suppose I shall regret what I did” portrays Mrs birling to be unwilling to reflect on her actions and realise her wrongdoings and how they affected Eva. This indicated her lack of guilt and remorse as well as her stubbornness. Mrs birlings lack of empathy comes from social hierarchy as she believes the lower class deserve how they get treated and she doesn’t want to help them.
How is Eva / daisy presented as symbolic?
“There are millions and millions of Eva smiths and John smiths still with us” to emphasise the capitalist system and exploitation of the lower working class. Priestly wanted the audience to have socialist views so this message was important to criticise the widespread nature of social inequalities and injustices that lead to the suffering, and society needs to change to help them as their actions have consequences and they need to take responsibility for that as everyone’s actions have a ripple effect on others.
“She was pretty and a good sport” indicates how Eva, who was in the lower working class, was used by the upper class. The description implies that Eva was objectified, as if she doesn’t have feelings and Eric didn’t care he it made her feel. “Pretty” focuses on her appearance and not deeper feelings. “Good sport” demonstrates it was just a game to Eric highlighting the power imbalance and Eva was being exploited. This could also link Eva to being the prey to Eric, as if he is hunting for people like her that he can mistrust and take advantage of.
How is Eva / daisy presented as vulnerable?
“She hadn’t a penny” contrasts to the birlings, reflecting the themes of class division and social injustice. This highlights Eva smiths extreme poverty and vulnerability. Her extreme poverty means she was forced to make difficult choices, potentially leading to her exploitation. Despite Eva’s financial situation, Eva maintained her moral standards, contrasting to the unethical behaviours from the upper class. Priestley uses her character to emphasize the need for greater social responsibility and empathy towards the less fortunate.
“Both her parents were dead… no home to go back to” reveals her lack of support and isolation. It indicates her precarious position in society, leaving her to exposed to exploitation even though she is reliant on fair employment from other to make an income. However, social injustice make it impossible for Eva to live the life she deserves due to being mistreated and used by the upper class. Priestly constructed to Eva to give a message to the upper class advocation more social justice, it was set as a play so the audience could hear priestlys message and see it on action.
How was Gerald groft presented as underestimating the inspector?
“You didn’t say anything to the inspector… we can keep it from him” indicates Gerald to be evasive and deceitful
How is inspector goole presented as moral?
“Public men, mr birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges” reveals his strong emphasis on social responsibility and his criticism on mr birlings self-centeredness. The inspector is making it clear that the upper class also have to consider the well-being of the lower class, not just their own interests. The inspectors words is priestlys expressing his socialist ideas and his belief that social inequality and exploitation of the working class is unacceptable.
“We are members of one body” the metaphor this is priestlys own voice and opinions as he believed in the importance of community and social responsibility. It expresses the shared responsibility within society, highlighting that everyone is affected by the actions of others, and the lack of social responsibility can cause a collective suffering. It indicates to the audience that everyone is equally as important as one another, this links to priestlys socialist views.
How is inspector goole presented as forceful?
(Sharply)”come along…What happened?” Reveals the inspectors authority, directness and lack of patience. The stage direction of (sharply) demonstrates the inspector is not interested in excuses, he is here to get the truth out of them, so they reflect on their actions and realise their wrongdoings. The inspectors is determined to do it as they must accept responsibility in order for society to change.
Stage lighting changes from “pink and intimate” to “brighter and harder” portrays the inspector to have a role to uncover things and force the family to face the reality of the situation. He forces them away from their rose tinted, unrealistic world. The colour change separates the inspector from the Birlings, highlighting how he has different views from them.
How is inspector goole presented as priestlys voice?
“We don’t live alone.” the metaphor reveals this is priestlys own voice and opinions as he believed in the importance of community and social responsibility. It expresses the shared responsibility within society, highlighting that everyone is affected by the actions of others, and the lack of social responsibility can cause a collective suffering. It indicates to the audience that everyone is equally as important as one another, this links to priestlys socialist views.
“Fire and blood and anguish” the metaphor conveys if humanity and society doesn’t change and learn, people will suffer and be punished. It is a warning to the audience. The nouns would arguably trigger an emotive and fearful response in the 1945 audience given their recent experiences of World War II, they would therefore be more likely to take this warning seriously.
