English AIC (1945) Flashcards
Synopsis of Act 1
• We are introduced to the Birling family and are currently celebrating Sheila’s and Gerald’s engagement
• Birling is presented as a capitalist who’s arrogant and foolish
• Dramatic irony when Birling says WW1 won’t happen and the titanic is unsinkable
• Inspector Goole is introduced and brings up the case that Eva Smith committed suicide
• Inspector and Birling portrays a relationship of conflict
• Sheila is questioned and confesses firing Eva from Millwards due to jealousy
• We’re told Eva changed her name to Daisy Renton
• Gerald knows her and implies cheating on Sheila
• Inspector systematically shows people the photograph prop individually to build up tension
Act 2 synopsis
• Gerald is questioned regarding link to Daisy Renton
• Gerald confesses his affair with Daisy
• Sheila breaks off engagement and gives Gerald back the ring
• Inspector questions Mrs Birling who denied charity to Eva Smith after copying her name
• Sheila becomes more mature and reasons with Inspector
• Eva Smith is found out to be pregnant
• Eric is the father of unborn child
• Mrs Birling was involved in death of grandchild
Act 3 synopsis
• We learn of Eric’s coercion and rape of Eva
• Inspector’s final speech and leaves triumphantly
• Conflict within Birling family shows contrast between older and younger gen
• Shows we’re meant to challenge status quo
• Birlings believe they were hoaxed by Inspector and that’s he’s fake
• Revealed at the end that the police are coming to question about a suicide
What did Priestley do in Edwardian England?
Fought in WW1
What does Priestley criticise about WW1?
• The working class soldiers fought hard on the frontline
• Upper class soldiers were positioned far behind them and never got killed
What era was AIC set in?
The Edwardian Era
What is socialism?
The ideology that society should be equal
When did the titanic sink?
1912
