zExtraInspectorCalls

Question 1

Quote to show that Mr Birling is overweight and greedy?

Answer 1

“Heavy looking” his physical appearance is synonymous of being greedy

Question 2

What does “portentous man” mean?

Answer 2

think they are above other people but desperately seek approval so is insecure and has a fragile ego.

Question 3

What quote shows that Mr Birling is portentous?

Answer 3

“Finchley told me it’s the exact same port your father gets his from” drinking was a symbol of wealth, this is first thing he says so it reveals his insecurity and wealth as he is name dropping. Foreshadows greed and exploitation he deploys.

Question 4

What other quotes shows that Mr Birling is selfish?

Answer 4

“For lower costs and higher prices” “your the kind of son in law i always wanted…the Geralds and the Crofts are no longer competing” taking moment away from daughter and focused on business, exploits workers for money.

Question 5

What is Mr Birling used to do to capitalism?

Answer 5

Ridicule it.

Question 6

What is capitalism presented to be?

Answer 6

Ignorant way of thinking.

Question 7

Quote that is said twice where Mr Birling thinks he is showing off?

Answer 7

“Heard headed” flexing how he is foolish as he is not willing to learn.

Question 8

What is dogmatic (linked to dramatic irony)?

Answer 8

Inclined to lay down principles as undeniably true.

Question 9

Quote to show Mr Birling is sexist?

Answer 9

“Clothes mean something quite different to a women”

Question 10

Quote to show Mr Birling is possesive?

Answer 10

“My wife”

Question 11

Quotea to show Mr Birling is anti socialist?

Answer 11

“Community and all that nonsense” and “a man has to mind his own business and look after his own”

Question 12

Quote to show Mrs Burling is insensitive and unsympathetic?

Answer 12

A rather cold women and her husbands social superior”

Question 13

Quote to show Mrs Birling is ignorant?

Answer 13

“No of course not he’s only a boy” defending Eric as she sees him as a little boy as he is neglected

Question 14

Quote to show Mrs Birling is ignorant as she is shocked when she finds out the Eric stuff was true?

Answer 14

“Staggered”

Question 15

Quote to show Mrs Birling is prejudiced?

Answer 15

“She was claiming elaborate fine feelings and scruples that were simply absurd in a girl in her position” She assumes because Eva is unmarried and pregnant that she is unable have “fine” feelings which is cruel

Question 16

Quote to show Mrs Birling is snobbish?

Answer 16

“What an expression, Sheila! Really, the things you girls pick up these days”

Question 17

What does What an expression, Sheila! Really, the things you girls pick up these days show?

Answer 17

Sybil shouts at Sheila for using the word ‘squiffy’ - meaning drunk. Sybil has snobbish opinions that people should speak and behave ‘properly’, not doing so would make her look down upon them.

Question 18

Quote to show Eric is assertive?

Answer 18

” Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages? We try for the highest possible prices. And I don’t see why she should have been sacked just because she’d a bit more spirit than the others” questions his fathers decisions and is the first to do so

Question 19

How is Eric shown as emotional?

Answer 19

“(bursting out)…the girls still dead isn’t she? Nobody’s brought her back to life have they?” He is clearly distressed and understands the gravity of the situation, he can’t understand why the others don’t.

Question 20

How is Eric akward?

Answer 20

At the start of the play Eric is very unsure of himself. He tries to speak up but is often talked down by his father. His behaviour is awkward and stilted.

Question 21

Quote to show Eric is akward and lacks confidence?

Answer 21

“I don’t know - really. Suddenly I felt I just had to laugh.” The stage directions describe Eric as being ‘half shy, half assertive’ and this comes across in his dialogue. He is awkward and unsure of himself. Here he cannot explain his sudden laughter.

Question 22

Quote to show Eric represents gluttony?

Answer 22

“I was a bit squiffy” “Could i have a drink first”

Question 23

Mr Birling sin?

Answer 23

Greed

Question 24

Eric sin?

Answer 24

Gluttony.

Question 25

Mrs Birling sin?

Answer 25

Pride.

Question 26

Quote to show Mrs Birling pride?

Answer 26

“Naturally that was one of the things that prejudiced me against her case” After Eva used the Birling name.

Question 27

Quote to show the inspector is imposing?

Answer 27

!…he creates at once an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness.”
Describes his imposing figure and his tendency to interrupt and control the conversation adds to this impression too

Question 28

Quote to show the inspector is laconic?

Answer 28

“carefully (and) weightily” shows he uses minimum words to get his point across

Question 29

Quote to show the inspector is emotive?

Answer 29

“Her position now is that she lies with a burnt out inside on a slab.” This is such a shocking image presented in plain language, it is not surprising that it impacts upon the emotions of the other characters and the audience. The Inspector uses this language intentionally to make the family more likely to confess.

Question 30

Quote to show the inspector is prophetic and omniscient?

Answer 30

“And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish. Good night.” The Inspector predicts a hell like future, filled with a nightmarish vision of ‘fire’ and ‘blood’. Priestley experienced war first hand, so some suspect that what he saw in wartime influenced the Inspector’s final speech.

Question 31

Quote to show inspector is a radical?

Answer 31

If there’s nothing else we have to share our guilt” and Public men, “Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges”

Question 32

What is the device you need to remember to talk about>

Answer 32

Didactic device (teaches lesson)

Question 33

What sin does Sheila represent?

Answer 33

Envy.

Question 34

Quote to show Shelia is childish?

Answer 34

“mummy” “daddy” “squiffy”

Question 35

Quote to show Sheila is materialistic?

Answer 35

“Look, mummy, isn’t it a beauty” “now i feel really engaged”

Question 36

Quote to show Sheila is assertive?

Answer 36

“I tell you - whoever that inspector was, it was anything but a joke.” gained power and intelligence through accepting responsibility. The change in Sheila here is clear. She has become more assertive, using phrases such as ‘I tell you’. The events of the evening have made her aware of the serious impact one’s actions can have.

Question 37

How is Sheila insightful?

Answer 37

At a number of points, Sheila shows that she can see things that the other characters cannot

Question 38

Quote to Show Sheila is insightful?

Answer 38

“Yes, of course it is. That’s what I meant when I talked about building up a wall that’s sure to be knocked flat. It makes it all harder to bear.” Sheila uses the metaphor of a wall that the Inspector will knock down to show her insightful understanding of his methods. She knows that if they try to keep anything from him, it will make things worse. The other characters don’t realise this as quickly as Sheila does.

Question 39

Stage direction to show Mrs Birling pride?

Answer 39

((triumphantly)) privileged and wouldn’t have believed that a man of lower class would speak to her like that and she only cares about being right even after what had just happened

Question 40

Quote to show Eric is showing socialist ideas and has accepted responsibility?

Answer 40

“The money’s not the important thing. It’s what
happened to the girl and what we did to her that
matters.”