an inspector calls Flashcards
(146 cards)
1
Q
who writes an inspector calls ?
A
Priestley
2
Q
when was an inspector calls written ?
A
1945
3
Q
when was an inspector calls set ?
A
1912
4
Q
give quotes about the setting during the opening
A
‘substantial and heavily comfortable but not cosy and homelike’
’ decanter of port, cigar and cigarettes’
5
Q
what does the setting at the beginning show ?
A
- it isn’t a family environment - almost hotel like
- it is empty, heartless which reflects the family
- not sentimental
- shows their wealthy, luxury, privelleged lifestyle
- upper class
6
Q
what era was the play set ?
A
edwardian era
7
Q
what does sheila saying ‘squiffy’
‘ don’t be an ass Eric’
show about her character at the start ?
A
- childish
- immaturity
- not dignified, polite like her mother - could change
8
Q
what does Mr Birling saying ‘for lower costs and higher prices’ during Sheila and Geralds engagement speech show ?
A
- their marriage is for status, wealth
- Sheila is under parental influence
- Birling cannot stop himself from talking about money = it is an obsession
- he is power hungry - capitalist mindset
- he is money oriented
- materialistic values
- emotionless
9
Q
what does Sheila saying ‘Look mummy isn’t is a beauty’
‘now I really feel engaged’ show ?
A
- she is childish calling her mother mummy, sheltered by parents. babied
- materialistic mindset
- her marriage needs to be solidified by a materialistic item for it to become real
10
Q
what does Mr Birling describing himself as a ‘hard headed business man’ show ?
A
- he is egotistical
11
Q
what does Mr Birling calling the war rumours ‘Nonsense’ and the titanic ‘unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable’ show ?
A
- Priestley uses dramatic irony
presents Mr Birling as : - foolish
- stupid
- untrustworthy
- ignorant
- arrogant
- it is embarassing
12
Q
what does Eric questioning his father saying ‘but still’ when Mr Birling tries to shut down war allegations show about Eric ?
A
he has the ability to change
he is more open minded, aware
13
Q
Gerald is an ‘easy well bred young man about town’ - what does this show ?
A
he is upper class
respected in society
14
Q
what does Gerald saying ‘I wasn’t telling you a complete lie’ show ?
A
he is dishonest
does not accept full responsibility
15
Q
what does Gerald saying ‘you couldn’t have done anything else’ towards Birling sacking Eva Smith show ?
A
- he has no sympathy for the poor
- mistreats poor
- his attitude alligns with the older generation
- ignorant mindset
16
Q
what does Gerald causing everything a ‘hoax’ and saying ‘everythings alright now’ show ?
A
he does not change
can’t accept responsibility
17
Q
what quote shows Mr Birlings admiration towards Gerald ?
A
‘you’re the kind of son in law I always wanted
18
Q
how does Gerald’s reaction to Birling sacking Eva Smith differ with Erics - what does this show about the characters ?
A
Gerald agrees with Arthur
Eric questions him
shows Gerald has values alligned with the stubborn, ignorant upper class and Eric is more prone to change, gives voice to those struggling - more open minded
19
Q
how is Gerald shown to exploit social class ?
A
Gerald gave Daisy temporary pleasure however he used her by exploiting her social status and kept her for his own fulfillment then discarded her when he was ready
20
Q
what does the inspector saying ‘he at least had some affection for her and made her happy for a time’ show ?
A
- inspector lets Gerald of the hook
21
Q
what does Sheila saying ‘at least you have been honest’ show about women ?
A
- Sheila had to forgive him - duty
- women had no voice in terms of standing up for themselves against men as men had all the power
- in society this was common, Sheila had to accept this because Gerald provided for her
22
Q
what does Sheila accepting Geralds disloyalty cause in the audience and show about Edwardian society ?
A
- causes moral outrage
- society has conditioned her to accept this infidelity in return for financial security and social gain
- Sheila is alright with being objectified - toxic masuclinity
- This was the better choice Sheila had - either be owned by Gerald or by her parents
- Women has no chpice
23
Q
what does the Inspector letting Gerald off lightly do to the audience ?
A
create moral outrage
makes them more angry towards Gerald
Gerald is the guy who will get away with it - capitalists escape
24
Q
what is sophistry ?
A
arguing something you know isn’t true but doing it in a way which sounds true
25
how is Gerald using sophistry ?
- his deceptions
26
how does Gerald use sophistry when meeting Eva Smith ?
- he meets her, gets her drunk then feeds her
- he pretends to care but really is exploiting her
27
how does Gerald use sophistry when it came to the identity of Eva Smith ?
- at the end of the play argued it wasn't the same girl using a sophisticated argument so he was let off the hook, not left feeling guilty with his actions - justifying them
- however many facts between the 2 women allign
28
give examples of when Gerald proved Eva and Daisy were the same ?
'had to leave after a strike'
'said something about the shop too'
'had a job in one of the works there'
29
when does Gerald use sophistry to expose inspector Goole ?
he pretends to be sad and dishonest in grief to leave and go to the police station
by proving Goole wasn't a real inspector he convinces everyone what they did was not real
30
how does Gerald represent the greedy capitalists ?
in 1945 Gerald would be old enough to avoid fighting in the war
he would run his fathers textile company which the country would need for war resources
he would profit from war and become rich
profiting from both wars - their parents would be dead before WW2
- Gerald profits of the blood of many men
31
how does Gerald getting away symbolise young capitalists in real life ?
escaping war to profit from it off their businesses
Gerald can profit of the blood of young men
at the time people were socially conditioned to accept this
his actions matter
32
who is the biggest symbol of capitalism in an Inspector Calls ?
Gerald Croft
33
who is the true villain ?
Gerald - the capitalist we are socially conditioned to accept, allowed in society to get away with things
34
how did Gerald exploit Eva Smith ?
' nice little set of rooms'
suggests something sexual
'she'd lived very economically on what i'd allowed her'
- exploiting women in economic ways
- all upper class men did this
35
how does Gerald - representing upper class men - exploit both sheila and eva - representing Edwardian women ?
- Sheila is possessed by him - is basically forced to accept his cheating, affairs because he provides for her
- He exploits Eva for pleasure then drops her, effectively making her homeless
he exploits them both through his money
capitalists exploiting through their wealth
36
Give a quote to show Mrs Birling is prejudiced towards the poor
' as if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money '
37
analyse - 'a girl of that sort' - Mrs Birling
- belittles and degrades poor'
- thinks that she is socially superior
38
what shows that Mrs Birling has a omniscient socially superior complex ?
she only supports 'deserving causes'
she deems whether these causes are deserving or not
39
what does 'please don't contradict me like that' show about Mrs Birlings nature ?
she thinks she is socially superior
40
how is Mrs Birling presented at stubborn ?
' you have no power to make me change my mind'
41
what quote shows Mrs Birling to be cold hearted and sharp ?
' a rather cold woman'
42
what quote shows Mrs Birling to be intolerant ?
'it's disgusting to me'
43
what does ' I used my influence to have it refused' show about Mrs Birling ?
she exploits her power
cruel
cold hearted
44
what do the stage directions -
' haughtily'
'bitterly'
'sharp'
suggest about Mrs Birling ?
she thinks she is socially superior
45
how is Mrs Birling presented as proud ?
'I was the only one who didn't give into him'
46
how is Mrs Birling presented as taking 0 responsibility ?
'I accept no blame for it at all'
47
what does Sybil Birling represent through 'I accept no blame for it at all?'
the uncaring nature of capitalsim
48
how does Sybil symbolise one of the 7 deadly sins Pride and prejudice
' girl of that class'
49
what does Sybils name originate from ?
Sibyls from Greek myth -
famous for gift of prophecy
irony as Sybil is blind to the truth - she can change but will not
50
where does Sybil show blindness ?
she is unaware of Erics child and alcohol abuse
51
show how Sybil is willfully blind
' i don't believe it. i won't believe it'
52
how was Sybil taught by society to turn a blind eye ?
' just as I had'
expects Sheila to turn a blind eye to Geralds infidelity like she would
Sybil is a victim and product of her surroundings - patriarchal society has taught her to do this
Priestley is attacking society for their sexist views
53
how does Priestley use Sybil to convey his ideas about the Welfare estate ?
Charitys don't have proper research on people to know who to help, Sybil wasn't necessarily wrong for turning away Eva as she had lied to Sybil, calling herself a ''Birling' what was Sybil to believe ?
Priestley also shows that charities can be prejudice through Sybil and that she was Eva's last resort
Priestley is voicing how he feels there should be a legitimate safety net to the poor
54
how does Sybil show she is the ultimate prejudice ?
she doesn't feel any guilt that she killed her grandchild because it had a poor mam
55
why does Priestley point out the job of the welfare state ?
it is not theirs to make moral judgements - it helps people who are poor in need - unlike charities
he is persuading people to vote labor so this is established
56
give adjectives to describe Eric
troubled
isolated
irresponsible
misunderstood
guilty
regretful
misogynistic
57
how is Eric shown to be isolated from the rest of his family ?
he does not understand them he 'suddenly guffaws' at Sheila and Gerald - he does not get them or feel like he belongs with his family
58
how does Eric interrupt the middle class men's illusion of respectability ?
he gets caught with his actions
'I was in that state when a chap turns easily nasty' - all men are like this - Gerald, Birlings friends
59
how is Eric presented as irresponsable ?
' I didn't even remember - that's the hellish thing'
60
how is Eric showed as unloved ?
' You don't understand anything. You never did'
61
how does Erics family ignore him ?
'Just keep quiet Eric' - Mr Birling
they have no respect for him
62
how do the stage directions present Eric as troubled ?
'not quite at ease'
' half shy half assertive'
63
where does Eric show resistance against his parents ?
' I'm ashamed of you as well - both of you'
64
where does Eric take no responsibility ?
' in that state when a chap turns nasty'
- no personal pronoun - he is speaking as if he didn't do it
- saying everyone does it - he is deflecting the blame
- not honourable
65
what does Eric saying 'not really' when Mr Birling asks if he stole money suggest ?
- he refuses to take responsibility
- his actions outweigh his regretful words
66
how is Eric personifying capitalism as theft ?
- to get rich many people take the poor hard earned money for themselves - exploit the poor
- saying he kept £50 for Eva - he would have used lots on himself
67
what does 'pass the port Edna' and 'squiffy' suggest about Eric ?
- capitalism is greedy
- Eric is too
68
Eric is the reason for Eva's 2nd death - what does this show ?
- ww2 would not have happened if the rich learnt their lessons
- Eric will not learn
- if he goes to war he may come back and not embrace social responsibility - this disgusts Priestley
69
when is Mr Birling shown as controlling ?
he says things 'angrily'
'i'll find out first'
70
when does Priestley use dramatic irony to showcase Birlings stupidity ?
- 'unsinkable. absolutely unsinkable' (about the titanic)
- he is not trustworthy
- idiotic
- thinks he is omniscient but is not
71
Mr Birling is describes himself as 'a hard headed practical man of business' what does this show ?
- he is egotistical
- he is money and business oriented
- cold hearted nature
72
what does Mr. Birling saying 'a man has to make his own way' show ?
- selfishness
- unsympathetic to the poor
- oblivious to their struggles
73
during Sheila and Gerald's engagement speech, Mr. Birling talks about partnering with Gerald's fathers company for 'lower costs and higher prices' - what does this show ?
- he is constantly thinking about money - obsessed with becoming richer and more powerful
- money motivated
- he is prepared to sell his daughter for a business deal = men had so much power
- business is his 1st priority
- lack of self control
74
Mr Birling thinks community is 'nonsense' what does this show ?
capitalists obliviousness to social life
they do not even understand the reasons behind communities, let alone taking responsibility
75
Mr. Birling calls his workers 'cheap labour' - what does this show ?
he dehumanizes his workers
he sees the poor as objects and machines
the capitalists exploit the poor
76
after many things he says Mr. Birling says 'of course' and after other people talk he says 'rubbish' repeatedly throughout the play - why ?
- to show he is egotistical
- he reassures himself what he is saying must be true
- thinks he is omniscient and that what he says must be correct
- he looks down on others and sees himself as superior
77
Mr. Birling calls it a 'hoax' - analyse.
he does not accept any social responsibility
78
Mr Birling is 'Provincial in his speech' what does this show ?
- he has a regional accent
- outlines he is middle class not upper class
- despite how hard he tries Birling will never be the true idolized upper class or old money he is new money and part of middle class
79
what does Mr. Birling represent ?
the corrupt, unfeeling nature of capitalism
80
what does Arthur Birlings name represent ?
king Arthur
81
who was King Arthur ?
a good king
symbolises a good rule
idealised king
82
how is Arthur Birling's name ironic ?
king Arthur was a good ruler Birling is selfish and not
83
Mr Birling calls the strike a 'pitiful affair' what does this suggest ?
- he has a lack of feeling
- no sympathy for the poor
- irony compared to king Arthur
84
Birling describes himself as a 'hard headed, practical man of business' what does this show ?
- the PM between wars used this phrase
- shows how business owners made profits from the war
- political statement - labour manifesto echoed this in 1945
- a society who cares for each other is important
- using war for profits is not looking after the poor
- capitalists exploited war for their own financial gain
85
how does Mr Birling use women as commodities ?
- he is willing to sell Sheila for a business deal
- he tells Sheila to accept infedelity:
'now sheila i'm not defending him but you must understand that a lot of young men...' - toxic masculinity
- he uses Sheila as a commodity for greater financial and social gain
86
Mr Birling calls the marriage an 'alliance' - what does this mean ?
- he is egotistical
- self interested
87
Mr Birling calls the titanic 'unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable' suggest why Priestley uses this dramatic irony
- shows his stupidity
- to give hope by suggesting upper classes power will sink by the new elections
- social equality can sink the upper class privilege
- Priestley shows that the upper class may appear to look big and strong but are vulnerable
- that what seems to be the impossible, e.g the titanic sinking can happen - the poor can be saved
88
when Sheila says 'We killed her' what does this show ?
- she is taking social responsibility
- has a moral compass
- forces her family to take social responsibility
- regret
- guilt
89
how is Sheila shown as contradicting her parents ?
' don't interfere'
- she is guilty
- takes social responsibility
90
when does Sheila become like the inspector, searching for the truth ?
' it's you 2 who are being childish - trying not to face the facts'
Sheila is now the parent, teaching them about socialism
91
where is Sheila shown as being childish and immature ?
- 'squiffy'
92
when Sheila says ' look mummy isn't it a beauty' what does this show ?
- she is materialistic
- dependent on her parents
93
when sheila says 'now I really feel engaged' what does this show ?
- she is materialistic
- needs an object to make her marriage real - it cannot stand on love alone
94
could women vote 1912 ?
no
95
women could vote in 1945, but what was the problem ?
men were returning back from war and took back their jobs
96
what was Priestleys goal with women at the end of the play ?
to empower them
97
what was Sheila's only way of escaping from her parents ?
- marrying
98
when Sheila says 'not yet' to Gerald what does this show ?
- an indefinite answer
- she will have to marry him to get the independence and political power she desires
99
how does Priestley criticise the patriarchy in 1945 ?
- through the 2nd death of Eva
- WW2 still happens
- Sheila will have no choice but to return to Gerald - the patriarchal society causes this
100
when sheila thanks Gerald for being 'honest' what does this show ?
- tragedy - she know he is her best choice as other men would decieve her behind her back but it still shows Gerald committed infidelity
- she is stuck in a patriarchal society where she has no rights
101
what is the only way sheila can gain power ?
marrying men
Gerald is the kind of MP the labour party would go up against in 1945 and is who Priestley is cristicising
102
how is sheila repressed ?
- she has no choice but to marry Gerald
- cannot vote - disenfranchised
- cannot change
103
when Sheila says 'we are all of one body' what does this show ?
- tragedy - she wants to change but can't
- shows how women were disenfranchised
104
how does Sheila become the inspectors proxy ?
- Inspector blames 'men'
- Sheila acknowledges this
- Sheila accuses and puts her family responsible for their actions saying her parents are 'trying not to face the facts'
- queen sheila has learnt her lesson #baddie
105
if Eva Smith and Daisy Renton were the same 2 people, what does this show about the Birlings ?
they treat all the poor as if they are the same person
the poor aren't important they are objectifyed and clustered together as if they are 1
106
what does the name Eva Smith suggest ?
Eva - symbolism of Eve - showing every woman
Smith - common, blacksmith surname
- represents all the poor
107
Eva Smith has no lines - what does this represent ?
- the poor is voiceless
- silent
- invisible
- powerless
- trapped
108
the Inspector says that lives are 'intertwined' what does this show ?
the Birlings and people like them kill many Eva Smiths
109
Eva Smith is called 'young fresh and charming' - what does this show ?
- she is attractive
- too young to have died
- the rich is killing of the innocent by their unfair treatment
- her death is a tragedy
110
how is Eva Smith belittled ?
Sybil calls her a girl of 'that class'
111
what does the inspector mean when he says 'there are millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left'
- many of the poor are suffering because of the capitalists
112
what is Eva Smith used for ?
to be the vehicle which drives Pirestleys message and show the damage the rich has done to the poor
113
what is the timeline of how Eva Smith is handled between the Birlings ?
- sacked from Arthur's factory
- fired from Milwards due to Sheila
- becomes a prostitute and is used by Gerald
- is raped and becomes pregnant from Eric
- is refused help at a charity due to Sybil
114
Eva Smith is said to have 'had a lot to say' at Arthurs factory - what does this show ?
- the lower class had so much potential and hope but are too easily silenced by the rich
- she was capable of doing more in her life but the rich took her opportunities away
115
give proof that Eva and Daisy were the same ?
Gerald denies it saying 'there was no proof it was the same girl'
But earlier claims she 'said something about the shop'
they were the same.
116
Eva represents the female work force - why was Priestley trying to give a voice to this group ?
- women now have the power to vote in 1945
- women are most likely to reject the lack of power conservatives gave them and vote labour
- some men were still at war so women would have been a prominent percentage of people voting during the war
- Priestley is pushing for the socialist party
117
how is the play involved with female empowerment ?
- women have the most to gain economically
- Eva was lucky to get a job at Milwards as the previous worker there got 'influenza'
- many women got jobs during war and knew they'd lose them after WW2 if the government is dominated by capitalists
118
why is Eva's name 'Eva' prominent ?
- Eve is the mother of mankind
- represents every class in the patriarchal system
- how all women are sexually exploited including Sheila and Sybil
118
who else has to make economic bargains with men despite them being unfaithful ?
sheila
sybil
eva
119
what does 'Renton' show in Daisy's name ?
- see's her relationship with Gerald for rent
- Gerald is renting her - she is objectified and knows it
119
what does 'Daisy' represent ?
- she wants to be seen as fresh and pure but can't
- once she is picked she will die
119
Eva accepts Gerald's economic bargain which offers security and accomodation in exchange for what ?
sex
120
society encourages women to accept being used and call it love when really it is .....
exploitation
121
what is Priestley trying to show that if women are employed they can ...
- not accept a man who is unfaithful
122
why does Eva kill herself with disinfectant ?
- Priestley is showing his disgust for sexual exploitation
- Eva wants to die rather than accept anything from Eric - money, marriage and child
- she wants to be cleansed and purified of any trace of Eric
- exposes the sexism in a patriarchal society
- shows this is a feminist play #slay
123
how is the inspector imposing ?
' massiveness solidity and purposefulness'
- he is omniscient
124
who does the inspector represent ?
priestly - he is priestleys mouthpiece
125
when the inspector says 'we are members of one body' what does this suggest ?
he disregards the class system
promotes socialism
126
the inspector says 'its my duty to ask questions' what does this suggest ?
- it is his role to deliver Priestleys ideas
- it is an obligation that he exposes the class system
127
what is the inspector a proxy for ?
Priestleys views
128
when the inspector says 'one Eva Smith has gone but there are millions and millions and and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths' what does this show ?
- he is a socialist character
- he supports all the poor
- emphasises how many poor people there are compared to the middle class and upper class people who are watching the play
129
when the inspector says 'we are members of one body' what does this show ?
- social responsibility
- echos the communion
- using christian language associates christianity and socialism - their morals and messages allign
130
AIC is an anti-war play
when Priestley says if men will not learn they will through 'blood fire and anguish' what does this show ?
- links to both world wars
- links capitalism and war
- suggests capitalists want war and cause war to exploit it for profits
- showing the audience that this is a consequence of giving power to capitalist men
131
the inspector says men need to be taught a 'lesson' - what does this show and how is war an economic consequence of capitalism
- Britain went to war with its economic rivals
- Eric would have went to war and possibly died
- exposes how capitalists are willing to sacrifice their own sons for profits
- highlights cold hearted and despicable nature of capitalists
132
How does the inspector promote a feminist message ?
- women have jobs and are empowered
- they have financial independence
- capitalist society would force women to give up their jobs
133
what does the quote 'men will not learn' show ?
- Priestley is targeting men
- appealing to female against Churchill
- the female audience did reject war and labour won in 1945
134
the last thing the inspector does is 'slam' the front door - why ?
he is Priestleys proxy for his anger
135
what does the name 'Goole' suggest and link to ?
- ghost of Christmas yet to come
136
how does the ghost of Christmas yet to come link with inspector Goole ?
- this ghost got Scrooge to change
- it was Scrooges last chance to change his ways
- when Scrooge changes, so does his future
- however in 1912 because the Birlings do not change a second world war is not prevented
- Eva Smith did die but Tiny Tim did not because the Birlings did not take social responsibility
137
Churchill fired Priestley - what does this represent ?
- the upper class having too much power over people
- the play is a chance for the audience to change and prevent war
138
what does Edna represent ?
the mistreatment of the working class
139
when Edna says 'An inspectors called' and changes the lighting - what does this show ?
- Priestley believes it is the working classes who will shine truth to the middle and upper classes
140
when Birling says to Edna 'Show him in here. Give us some more light' what does this show ?
- language is blunt, short
- impolite
- simple sentences
- imperatives - Birling expects his orders to be followed and obeyed
141
how would Edna's presence feel on stage ?
- outdated
- old fashioned
- reminds the audience of the outdated practice of capitalists hiring workers and paying them little money to do jobs they can do themselves
142
when Edna isn't invited to listen to the engagement announcement and Edna has to stay up late to get the door, despite her probably working later than she should be - what does this do ?
- condemns the upper class for their mistreatment of the working class
- alienates the Birlings from the audience - people in the audience would not want to replicate their behaviour
143
