Themes AIC

Question 1

How is the theme of gender presented?

Answer 1

Patriarchal society where men have all the control and power

Question 2

How is the theme of morality presented?

Answer 2

Inspector - harbinger of social justice - lighting ‘brighter and harder’

Question 3

‘brighter and harder’ quote explanation

Answer 3

Shines a light on their crimes and wrongdoing - makes them up to the consequences of their actions

Question 4

How is the theme of parenting presented?

Answer 4

Mr and mrs Birling fail to fulfil their maternal duties

Question 5

How is the theme poverty presented?

Answer 5

Eva smith

Question 6

What do the older generation reject?

Answer 6

Reject the moralistic guidance offered - shows the deep rooted ideology of capitalism - blinded by the desire for more

Question 7

What does the Birling family represent?

Answer 7

Upper middle - meant to be a beacon of civility - admitting will impact their social representation

Question 8

How is the theme of responsibility presented? (ideas)

Answer 8

• Younger generation are impressionable
• Inspector speaks ‘ carefully and weight fully’ have an impact and meaning
• Inspector is a foil for Birling ‘the germans don’t want war’
• Society weighed down by their old values
• Society is able to progress - younger generation carry the weight of their actions

Question 9

How is the theme of capitalism and socialism presented? (ideas)

Answer 9

• Conflict between Birling and the Inspector - fraught - source of conflict throughout ‘heavy looking’ - physical representation of his capitalism
• Birlings predictions wrong - dramatic irony - discredits capitalism
• The great depression - war - not a good time for the marriage to occur
• Inspectors predictions are correct ‘fire blood and anguish’
• Validates socialist views

Question 10

How is the theme of gender presented? (ideas)

Answer 10

• Shelia had a sheltered upbringing - evident when Birling tries to send Shelia to her room
• If she is kept protected she is kept naive and in the future will be easily manipulated
• Evas life is in contrast with Shelia’s - difference in social class
• Money protects people especially women
• Women - domestic responsibilities - paws for their fathers - nothing more than transactional objects - only worth comes from their marriage
• Men have free range
• No boundaries between men and lower class women

Question 11

How is the theme of poverty presented? (ideas)

Answer 11

• Comparing the treatment of the poor to nazi Germany treatment of the jews