Other

Question 1

Context

Answer 1

-Edwardian society 1912 (before both world wars) to 1945 post-World War 2 audience
- 1912 class system (serve under, and stereotypes ( inferior, thieves, criminals, sinners, didn’t work hard enough)
- Victorian culture influence of Edwardian society: double life upper class led. Fallen women (prostitution and mistresses) society condemned and believed fallen from the grace of God. Romantic ideal : gentlemanly chivalry towards fallen women was celebrated. Sexual exploitation and lust - preyed on these as easy targets to satisfy their list while getting credit from peers.
-unmarried women ostracised from society, vulnerable, poverty.
-upper class women counterparts rely on marrying and supported by husband’s wealth, lower class had to work to support. Lowest-paid, many had no education.
-stigma of having child out of marriage
-abortions illegal. Face risk of backstreet abortions.
-capitalistic competition encouraged inequality, conflict and oppression (child labour, poor working conditions to maximise profits)
socialism=equality, cooperate, eliminate poverty
- women’s suffragette movement. Anti-suffragists groups formed by women.
-patriarchal society
-women taking up men’s roles during the wars and contribution, women in the workforce increased. Uniting upper and lower as everyone were faced under the same conditions in war (Conscription - mandatory enlistment to army no matter class). Nurtured Community spirit.
-Priestley witnessed a lot of poverty amongst the working class where he was born, Bradford
-Priestley served WW1, victim of a gas attack and nearly died.
- play first performed in 1945 in Moscow, Russia. Country Experienced Russian revolution and effects of a socialist regime on society. Russia now symbol of political strength
-titanic sank 1912. Symbol of luxury and grandeur. Just like birling family, will sink.
-1930s period of economic struggle. The Great Depression.

Question 2

Eric Birling

Answer 2

• naivety and ignorant
• redemption, source of optimism
• society norms for the immoral behaviour - follows footsteps of other men
• remorse regrets responsibility
• drinking habits due to dysfunctional family relationships and not having a good role of a father. Coping mechanism.
• weak, conforms to class system
• aware that it’s immoral, wrong, of the corruption, hypocrisy, socialism
• powerless on own, lack of influence, unite

Question 3

Eva Smith

Answer 3

Universal symbol of oppression
Collective suffering of the lower-class
Victim of patriarchal society and class inequality
Eva= Adam and Eve
Representation of all women. While eve tempted men to corruption by offering Adam the apple, Eva is corrupted by the men in the play
Smith - most common surname - symbolise everyday people of Britain- working class name
Renton services from verb rent
Had to change the direction of her life to survive in a society that is hostile
Her graphic death is the consequences of immoral actions of others
Fatal impact of capitalist attitudes
Her life was already a living hell - tho suicide is a sin she still did it.
Parallel between her and Sheila to show how class is the only thing that differentiates them and determines their life
Antithesis to her stereotypes

Question 4

Gerald

Answer 4

Physically attractive privileged but likeable man. Neutral = representation of audience and upper-class
Condescending to women and misogynistic
Aware of the immorality but does nothing to change it
Opposes hypocrisy of audience
Apparent changes in attitudes of upper-class superficial
Capitalist
Gentlemen charity - romantic ideals - sexual exploitation - unfaithful

Question 5

Mr Birling

Answer 5

Social elite
Construct of capitalism
Patriarchal role as owner of his factories which employs women
Cyclical presentation
Static character static society
Antithesis of Inspector - battle between capitalism and socialism
Insecurity of his social position within hierarchy - not born noble or have a noble linage

Question 6

Mrs Birling

Answer 6

Represents selfish nature privileges and prejudicial of upper class
Anti-suffragette
Cold and uncaring towards her children
Image conscious
Constantly paranoid of her reputation to on being tarnished, benefits from class system
Hypocrisy
Resistance of upper class women to change that threatens their social position and comfortable lifestyle

Question 7

Sheila Birling

Answer 7

Naive privileged ignorant immature insecure
Matures
Resentment towards the lack of social responsibility their parents feel
Takes on role of inspector’s proxy
Product of her environment - oppressed
Embryonic feminist
Socialism
Likeable - boost his message of socialism
Rebellion against parents and alignment with inspector

Question 8

Inspector

Answer 8

Construct of socialism
Antithesis of Mr Birling
Omniscient moral force
Spiritual avenging angel
Priestley’s mouthpiece
Religiously good, favourable to socialism
Strength and consistency of his values 
Need for change, not omnipotent to emphasise society needs to change in its own to truly change - Priestley message would be less effective if inspector forced the characters. Audience need to accept greater responsibility without an external force. 
Or else consequences of another war

Question 9

Cyclical structure

Answer 9

Characters failed to understand inspector’s message
Static society static characters
Leads to consequences repeating
2 world wars

Question 10

Structure

Answer 10

exposition, outset, crisis, conflict, climatic, denoucement, cliff hanger, twist

Question 11

writer intention verbs

Answer 11

instruct, persuade, inform, entertain, educate, enlighten, punish, console, criticize, celebrate, condemn, establish, reinforce, to reveal the importance of, to warn