inspector calls Flashcards
(36 cards)
who is Mr birling
he is an arrogant and egotistical person who only cares about his well being and status in society. him and his family represents the capalist views on society. his views and ideas do not change thought the play.
who is Mrs birling
she is Mr Birlings wife who hold the same views as Mr birling however put him in place as he has been brought into a high status and wealthy family through marriage. she tries to build a wall a shut the inspector out however that fails. she stays the same thought the play and dose anything to keep her high status reputation.
who is Sheila birling
Sheila is the daughter of Mr and Mrs birling. at the start of the play she in infantilised by her parents and stuck up, however thought the play her views change and she turns toward the socialist views(like the inspector). she cuts in on her parents and isn’t called a foolish child anymore.
who is Gerald
Gerald is Sheila’s fiancé ( thought the play until the end). at the start of the play he is written to make the audience believe he is a charming and handsome man, however later on he is revelled to not be as honest as he appears. Priestley uses the character of Gerald to represent the individualism of the upper-class. He disillusions (disappoints) the audience, who hopes that by the end of the play he would change his capitalist and selfish attitudes, as he fails to do so.
who is Eric
Eric is Mr and Mrs Birlings son. at the start of the play he is seen to be drinking and getting drunk. We don’t see him much thought the play until the omniscient inspector reviles that he used daisy Renton. priestly dose this to show the younger generation of socialism and how he takes responsibility and tries to help the situation.
who is the inspector
the inspector is an almighty omniscient being who is the personification of socialism. priestly wants to show the inspector as demanding an in control even though he is of a lower status . this is done through many ways with the main one being him cutting into their sentence. the inspector as we come to find isn’t an inspector and could be a random person and manifestation of some type of ghost.
“child”
infatalises his children. he treats them like children even though they are old enough now.
“unsinkable…absolutely unsinkable”
dramatic irony (we know it sinks but they don’t).show birling to be foolish this metaphorically means it makes the proletariat can also metaphorically mean on how there family will sink after the inspector.
“lower cost and higher prices”
as a business man he wants to profit as much as he can so he uses his workers and makes them do longer days for less pay . this again shoes his hubris and egotistical nature and is suppose to represent the capalist over socialism.
“millions and millions of Eva smith and john smiths”
at the end of the extract we find out this might have not just been1 person however many people in the socialist community and it leaves us wondering.
mommy->mother
shows the progression thought the play at the start of the play because Sheila was infantilised she called her mum “mummy” and was treated like a child however whilst the plays starts to play out she grows a sense of independence and calls her mum “mother” instead again showing socialist views.
“sharp”
“cutting in”
these are from the inspector. priestly dose this to represent his socialist views and how the inspector has power and control even though he is lower status . this is done to show the power of socialism.
“he knows”
the inspector is an all knowing god (omniscient) who knows everything about this family before he entered. all he wanted to do was let the (high status) birling family come to agreement on their sins.
unsinkable… absolutely unsinkable
represents mr birling arigance and ingnorance he confidently asserts that the titanic , a symbol of wealth and technological advancments , is imperous to dasater . this statment highlights mr birlings materialistic vie worldview and his belife in the invincibility of his own class. this creates dramatic irony as the audiance knows the titanic sinks. the quote undescores the theme of hubris and cretiques the upper-class complecency and disgard for others “well-being”
“Everything alright now shiela… what about his ring”
The quote “Everything all right now, Sheila? . What about his ring?” is spoken by Mrs. Birling in “An Inspector Calls.” Mrs. Birling asks Sheila if she is feeling better after confronting the truth about their involvement in Eva Smith’s death.
She then shifts the conversation to the practical matter of Sheila returning the engagement ring given to her by Gerald. This quote demonstrates Mrs. Birling’s attempt to redirect the focus away from the uncomfortable truth and back to superficial concerns.
“Hoax” “bluff”
The words “hoax” and “bluff” are not directly mentioned in “An Inspector
Calls.” However, the concept of a
“hoax” or a “bluff” can be related to the play’s central theme of deception and the manipulation of truth.
Inspector Goole’s investigation into the death of Eva Smith can be seen as an attempt to uncover the truth and expose the characters’ lies and hidden secrets. The Inspector’s questioning and revelations challenge the characters’ facades and force them to confront their actions, revealing the “hoax” or
“bluff” of their supposedly respectable lives.
“We’re respectable citizens, not criminals”
The quote “We’re respectable citizens, not criminals” is spoken by Mrs. Birling in “An Inspector Calls” during the interrogation by Inspector Goole. Mrs. Birling uses this statement to assert her and her family’s high social standing and reputation, denying any wrongdoing or involvement in the death of Eva Smith. It reflects her belief that their status exempts them from moral accountability and legal culpability.
The quote highlights the theme of social hypocrisy and the characters’ resistance to admitting their responsibility for their actions.
“easily well-bred”
The phrase “easily well-bred” is not a direct quote from “An Inspector
Calls.” However, if you are referring to the character description of Sheila Birling in the stage directions, she is described as a “pretty girl of about twenty, very pleased with life and rather excited,” suggesting that she comes from a privileged and well-bred background. This description emphasizes Sheila’s social status and upbringing, which plays a role in her development and interactions with other characters throughout the play.
“half shy, half assertive”
The phrase “half shy, half assertive” is used to describe Sheila Birling’s character in “An Inspector Calls.” It suggests that Sheila possesses a mix of qualities, exhibiting both shyness and assertiveness. This description highlights her complex nature and the internal conflicts she experiences throughout the play. Sheila’s character development demonstrates her growth from initially being timid and submissive to becoming more confident and vocal in demanding justice and accountability.
We all helped to kill her”. “cutting in” and
“sharply”
The quote “We all helped to kill her” is spoken by Sheila Birling in “An Inspector Calls.” She realizes that each member of her family has contributed to the death of Eva
Smith in their own ways. This statement reflects her newfound sense of responsibility and accountability for their actions.
The phrases “cutting in” and
“sharply” are stage directions used to indicate the manner in which characters speak their lines, particularly during moments of tension or conflict in the play. These directions suggest that the characters are interrupting or speaking in a harsh and abrupt manner.
Overall, these quotes and stage directions highlight the themes of collective guilt, introspection, and the tense atmosphere within the play.
state where a chap easily turns nasty”
Eric describes himself as in a “state where a chap easily turns nasty” which suggests that Eric did not do an ethical thing because he had the upper hand as if someone did something that did not please him, he would become violent which could become dangerous.
“pretty” and “good sport”
The quotes “pretty” and “good sport” are used to describe Sheila Birling in
“An Inspector Calls.” In the opening stage directions, Sheila is described as a “pretty girl in her early 20s, very pleased with life and rather excited.”
This highlights her youthful appearance and positive outlook on life.
Later on, when Sheila is discussing her relationship with Gerald, her fiancé, she refers to herself as a
“good sport.” This suggests that she is open-minded and willing to go along with things, even if they may not be entirely to her liking. It shows her adaptability and her desire to maintain a pleasant atmosphere.
Both of these quotes help to establish Sheila’s character at the beginning of the play, showcasing her youthful enthusiasm and her ability to adapt to different
“suddenly guffaws”
The phrase “suddenly guffaws” is not a direct quote from “An Inspector
Calls.” However, it could describe a moment in the play where a character bursts into laughter.
Laughter can sometimes be used as a defense mechanism or a means to hide true emotions.
Silly boy” and
“Hysterical young fool”
The quotes “Silly boy” and
“Hysterical young fool” are both spoken by Mrs. Birling in “An Inspector Calls.” She uses these derogatory terms to belittle and dismiss Eric, her son, during the course of the play. These quotes reflect Mrs. Birling’s condescending and unsympathetic attitude towards Eric’s behavior and emotions. They highlight the strained relationship between Mrs. Birling and her son, as well as her inability to empathize with his struggles.
