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TIMELINE
1908 - Women suffrage movement
1910 - Labour exchange established
1911 – National Insurance & Unemployment Benefit introduced
1912 – Titanic sinks [The play is set in 1912]
1914-1918 World War 1
1920 – University degrees for women
1939 - 1945 World War II
1945 – Labour Victory rebuilding the country & economy [The play was written around 1945]
1948 – National Health Service
J.B. Priestly: the man who wrote the play
He was a socialist
He had strong views on people being equal and joining together.
He deliberately
set the play in
1912.
Liberal social reforms started in 1911 where there was a call for social
change. People wanted the state to start taking responsibility for the poor
in the country. These ideas were controversial.
There were rigid class and gender boundaries which made it feel like
nothing would ever change.
The play was
written around
1945.
The Welfare State was introduced in England, where the state started
taking more responsibility for the poor.
Most of the class and gender boundaries had been broken down by this
point. Things had changed for the better.
Other background information
Suffragettes
Movement (1908)
Women were fighting for the right to vote, and therefore be equal to men.
Their mission was not welcomed at the time.
Workers strikes
(1910-1914)
Wage cuts, poor working conditions, and rapid inflation left workers poor
and angry. The rich didn’t care about the poor. This led to many strikes
between 1910-1914.
Characters who represent the rigid 1912
views are the older generation
Characters who represent the progressive
1945 views are the younger generation
Arthur Birling
Eric Birling
Sybil Birling
Sheila Birling
1
Key Word
Meaning
Socialist
Belief that people should come together and be
responsible for each other. Belief in equality.
Class system
The hierarchal scale from upper to lower class, which
determines how much money you have and your
standing in society. The Birlings are middle class.
Capitalist
Believes in the free market and profit. It’s rooted in the
individual.
Condescending
2
Quick information
• A dead person – she committed suicide
• She was working class and very pretty
• Both her parents are dead.
ARHUR BIRLING
2 years/18 months ago, Arthur fired Eva from one of his mills because
she was one of the leaders in organising a strike over pay.
SHEILA BIRLING
Sheila had Eva fired from Milwards, a department store, because she
was in a bad mood and didn’t like that Eva looked prettier with the hat on
than she did.
[She changes her name to Daisy Renton]
GERALD CROFT
Gerald meets Eva in a bar. She has become a prostitute. He gives her
money and a home to stay in because he felt sorry for her. This turned
into an affair. He ends up ending the relationship.
ERIC BIRLING
Eric meets Eva in a bar. He forces his way into her home and gets her
pregnant. He then steals money from his father to give to her when he
finds out that she’s pregnant. She refuses to take the money after a
while. If this information got out, there would be a massive scandal.
[She changes her name to Mrs Birling]
SYBIL BIRLING
Sybil is the head of a women’s charity. Eva is desperate and asks for
financial aid. She calls herself Mrs Birling which annoys Sybil. Sybil
convinces the other women that Eva is a liar and rejects her application
for help.
EVA SMITH COMMITS SUICIDE.
3
Quick information
• A dead person – she committed suicide
• She was working class and very pretty
• Both her parents are dead.
Arthur Birling: “She’d
had a lot to say – far
too much – so she had
to go.” p.15
Eva Smith shows that she can stand up for herself. However, she is working class and
doesn’t have any of the power. Arthur doesn’t like power being taken away from him
and so fires those who stood up to him, even though they were desperate because the
low wages left them in poverty.
Arthur Birling also notes that she was ‘country-bred’.
Sheila Birling: ‘If
she’d been some
miserable plain
creature, I don’t
suppose I’d have done
it.’ p.24
Sheila is jealous of Eva’s looks. She doesn’t think about the consequences of her
actions in getting Eva fired. She actually thought that because Eva was pretty, she
would be able to take care of herself. It shows that Sheila never understood the life of
the working class.
Gerald Croft: ‘She
told me that she’d
been happier than
she’d ever been
before’ p.39
Contextually, her sexual relationships with men (one of whom is engaged) would be
considered deeply unwise. Perhaps she is immoral. Eva was in love with Gerald, but
also understood that their relationship couldn’t last.
Her name is Daisy Renton: ‘Daisy’ = pushing daisies/dead; ‘Renton’ renting her body
[Look at ‘OTHER QUOTES’ for quotes on her being a prostitute.]
Eric Birling: ‘I was in
that way when a chap
easily turns nasty’
p.52
The child of an unmarried mother in Edwardian times was likely to have a difficult life.
Eva had a responsibility to love for her child. Committing suicide could be seen as
selfish.
Eva refuses money from Eric, which shows she makes moral decisions at points. She
believes in love. He raped her through his irresponsible, drunken behaviour.
Did Eric definitely force her? He was drunk. Perhaps she lied?
Sybil Birling: “Yes, I
think it was simply a
piece of gross
impertinence’ p.43
Eva can’t live the life of a prostitute after what happened with Eric. She turns to a
charity for help. Sheila was insulted that Eva used the name ‘Mrs Birling’. She thought
of it as a lie that puts her name to shame, and could’ve caused a scandal. Although she
is the head of a charity, she doesn’t show any compassion.
Eva has once again changed her name, though it’s unclear why. She’s made up a lie to
hide her shame, although it was a half-lie of sorts. She is desperate at this point.
Inspector Goole: ‘One
Eva Smith has gone but there are millions
and millions and
millions of Eva Smiths
and John Smiths still
left with us’ P.56
“Eva” is very close to “Eve” from the bible and “Smith” is a common surname .
How does this show that she represent all women?
We learn that Eva is pretty, and maybe her smiling at Sheila’s hat not working out might
show that she’s unprofessional. However, it all could’ve been in Sheila’s imagination.
‘Like a lot of these young women who get into various kinds of trouble, she’d used more than
one name.‘ Why did Eva Smith change her name a lot?
4
EVA SMITH
Page
Theme
Notes
Gerald’s description of Eva:
“young, fresh and charming”
p.35
Inspector Goole (about
Eva): “Like a lot of these
young women who get into
various kinds of trouble,
she’d used more than one
name. But her original name
– her real name – was Eva
Smith.” p.12
Eric (about Eva): “Well she
hadn’t a job- and didn’t feel
like trying for one –and
she’d no money left –so I
insisted on giving her
enough money to keep her
going –until she refused to
take any more” p.53
Eva described as a
prostitute: “There was some
woman who asked her to go
there” p.51 / “another kind of
life” p.23 / “women of the
town” p.34
5
EVA SMITH
Page
Theme
Notes
6
Quick information
• Head of the family
• Rich
• Short-tempered
• Condescending: he looks down on people
• Traditional
• Only likes people who make him rich or look good
Attitude
before talking
to Inspector
Goole
Believes he is about to receive a knighthood which makes him proud. He cares
deeply about the class system and doesn’t care at all about the working class.
He is very opinionated but his opinions are wrong. He says the Titanic is
unsinkable, and yet it sinks. He says the Germans don’t want war, yet World War I
came two years later.
“a man has to
mind his own
business and
look after
himself and
his own” p.10
He’s a capitalist who believes in profits and that it’s every man for himself. He
doesn’t care about the welfare of the poor and his actions that keep them poor.
Attitude
whilst being
interrogated
by Inspector
Goole
Is very rude and condescending towards Inspector Goole. He thinks that his status
protects him from interrogation.
“It’s my duty to
keep labour
costs down”
p.15
He takes no interest in supporting the working class. He thinks that they should be
happy with their working conditions and pay, and doesn’t care that they are living in
absolute poverty. As far as he’s concerned, that is not his concern. What matters
to him is that the rich are protected, and keep getting richer.
Attitude after
talking to
Inspector
Goole
He doesn’t take any of the blame for the death. He thinks it’s not his fault.
He’s more concerned about the public scandal and the possibility of him losing his
upcoming knighthood. In the end, he blames Eric. He’s appalled by Eric stealing
from him, not the fact that Eva committed suicide because of them.
“I can’t accept
any
responsibility”
p.14
This was not said after talking to Inspector Goole but it does reflect his attitude.
Doesn’t think that it was his fault that Eva Smith was fired. He is stuck in the rigid
class system. He thinks that she was fired for good reason because of pay, and
thinks that anything that happened after she lost her job is nothing to do with him.
How has Arthur Birling changed in the play?
7
ARTHUR BIRLING
Page
Theme
Notes
Arthur calls himself “a hardheaded, practical man of
business” p.6
Arthur about war: “The
Germans don’t want war. …
Everything to lose and
nothing to gain by war.” p.6
[World War I starts two
years later in 1914.]
Arthur about the Titanic:
“unsinkable, absolutely
unsinkable” p.7
[The Titanic actually does
sink.]
Dramatic irony: when the audience/reader knows
something that the characters do not. This is an
example of dramatic irony. What does it reveal
about Arthur?
He is an arrogant man who believes himself to be
an authority on current issues when in fact he
doesn’t know what he’s talking about. His
ignorance of this also foreshadows his own
downfall through ignorance.
Dramatic irony: when the audience/reader knows
something that the characters do not. This is an
example of dramatic irony. What does it reveal
about Arthur?
He is an arrogant man who believes himself to be
an authority on current issues when in fact he
doesn’t know what he’s talking about. His
ignorance of this also foreshadows his own
downfall through ignorance.
Arthur about taking
responsibility: “If we were all
responsible for everything
that happened to everybody
we’d had anything to do
with, it would be very
awkward, wouldn’t it?” p.14
Arthur to Inspector Goole
when Goole comments
about responsibilities and
privileges:
“But you weren’t asked to
come here to talk to me
about my responsibilities.”
p.41
Inspector Goole in response
to Arthur’s arrogant stance
when questioned about his
reasons for not giving a payrise to his employees: “It’s
my duty to ask questions”
p.15
8
ARTHUR BIRLING
Page
Theme
Notes
Arthur: “You'll apologize at
once ... I'm a public man–”
Inspector Goole: [massively]
“Public men, Mr. Birling,
have responsibilities as well
as privileges.” p.41
Arthur: (dubiously) “I must
say, Sybil, that when this
comes out in the inquest, it
isn't going to do us much
good. The Press might
easily take it up-” p.45
Arthur about the
consequences of Eva
Smith’s death: ‘There’ll be
a public scandal, unless
we’re lucky.’ p.57
9
ARTHUR BIRLING
Page
Theme
Notes
10
Quick information
• Daughter of Arthur and Sybil, sister of Eric
• Engaged to Gerald Croft
• Attractive but spoilt
• Lively and excitable
• Cries a lot!
• Has good morals
Attitude before
talking to
Inspector
Goole
She was a spoilt, happy girl who was ignorant of the wrongs of the class system and
treatment of the working class. She was happy in her bubble.
“I went to the
manager…if they
didn’t get rid of
the girl…I’d
persuade mother
to close her
account” p.24
She was a spoilt girl, who would use her status to take personal revenge if she got angry.
She didn’t consider the consequences.
Attitude when
others are
talking to
Inspector
Goole
She understands that lying, showing arrogance and being condescending will only get them
into more trouble. She wants everyone to be honest and take responsibility for Eva Smith’s
death, because she sees her as a person. Her parents do not.
“You mustn’t try
to build up a
kind of wall
between us and
that girl.” p.30
Sheila is talking to her mother Sybil. She is saying that they should all be honest and not
try to distance themselves from Eva Smith. She understands that they are all responsible.
It could also be seen as her saying that the class system, and the barriers it creates, isn’t a
good thing.
Attitude after
talking to
Inspector
Goole
She feels incredibly guilty about the part that she played in Eva Smith’s downfall. She has
changed for the better and taken responsibility.
Sheila tells
Gerald they
weren’t “the
same people
who sat down to
dinner” p.40
Sheila has changed from the immature girl who didn’t think about the consequences to
someone who is able to accept responsibility. She will not go back to the person she was
before.
She is angry at her parents for not taking responsibility.
She also understands that her view of Gerald has changed now that the truth has come out.
He is not the man she thought he was, though she may give him another chance.
How has Sheila Birling changed in the play?
11
SHEILA BIRLING
Page
Theme
Notes
Description of Sheila: “very
pleased with life and rather
excited” p.1
Sheila accepting
responsibility: “At least I’m
telling the truth. I expect
you’ve done things you’re
ashamed of too.” p.23
Sheila regrets what she did:
“I’ll never, never do it again
to anybody” p.24
Sheila to Gerald after
breaking off the
engagement: “I rather
respect you more than I’ve
ever done before.” p.40
Sheila about what Inspector
Goole is doing: “he’s giving
us the rope – so that we’ll
hang ourselves” p.33
Sheila to Gerald about
Inspector Goole: “Why - you
fool - he knows. Of course
he knows. And I hate to
think how much he knows
that we don't know yet.
You'll see. You'll see.” She
looks at him almost in
triumph. p.26
12
SHEILA BIRLING
Page
Theme
Notes
Sheila to Gerald about
Inspector Goole: “Why - you
fool - he knows. Of course
he knows. And I hate to
think how much he knows
that we don't know yet.
You'll see. You'll see.” She
looks at him almost in
triumph. p.26
Sheila to her father about
his lack of responsibility:
“The point is, you don’t
seem to have learnt
anything.” p.58
Sheila about their role in
Eva’s death: “Between us
we drove that girl to commit
suicide.” p.66
13
SHEILA BIRLING
Page
Theme
Notes
14
Quick information
• Engaged to Sheila Birling
• The son of a Lord and Lady (very wealthy)
• Rich but arrogant
• Successful and agrees with the views of Mr Birling
• Very successful but a liar
• Been unfaithful to his fiancé Sheila Birling
Attitude
before
talking to
Inspector
Goole
Gerald is very rich. He is of a higher status than the Birlings. Because of his status, he
is more like the Arthur and Shirley in ideology. He believes in capitalism.
“After all, we’re
respectable
citizens, not
criminals.” p.22
Gerald believes that you are only a bad person if you are a criminal. As someone with
a high status, he thinks that being bad is about crimes rather than morality.
Attitude
while talking
to Inspector
Goole
We learn that Gerald is not as bad as Arthur and Sybil. While older Birlings are rude
and superior, Gerald shows that he had feelings for Eva. It shows that he cares about
those who are less fortunate than him.
“I want you to
understand that I
didn’t install her
there so that I
could make love
to her.” p.37
Gerald shows that he is compassionate. He can be concerned for the wellbeing of
someone less fortunate than him, without sex being his motivation.
Attitude after
talking to
Inspector
Goole
Despite being better than Arthur and Sybil, Gerald is similar to them because he refuses
to take responsibility for his role in Eva’s Smith’s death.
“I don’t come
into this
suicide
business.”
p.26
He said this before he spoke to Inspector Goole. But he knew his role in Eva’s life at
this point, and this does reflect his attitude towards her. Gerald doesn’t take any
responsibility for the death of Eva Smith.
However, he’s already been revealed to be a liar because he was unfaithful. Therefore,
we cannot necessarily trust what he says. The Palace stalls is a known place for
picking up prostitutes. Was Gerald there to do the same?
We know that the experience hasn’t changed him because he celebrates when thinks
that the Inspector wasn’t real near the end of the play.
How has Gerald Croft changed in the play?
15
GERALD CROFT
Page
Theme
Notes
Gerald about the Birlings:
Gerald [laughs]: “You
seem to be a nice wellbehaved family –”
Arthur: “We think we are-”
p.8
Gerald “adored” being
loved by Daisy Renton
when they were together
p.38
Gerald to Sheila when he
tells her the truth about
where he was last
Summer (having an affair
with Eva): “I wasn’t telling
you a complete lie” p.38
16
GERALD CROFT
Page
Theme
Notes
17
Quick information
• Wife of Arthur Birling
• Obsessed with status in society
• She is from a higher social position than her husband
• Doesn’t see the obvious problems in her own family
• Stubborn and snobbish
• Cold hearted
Attitude
towards the
lower class
Sheila doesn’t care about the lower class. She thinks that they are beneath her and so she
upholds the barrier created by the class system. What matters to her is her own status and how
to elevate it.
“As if a girl of
that sort would
ever refuse
money.” p.47
Sheila cannot believe that a working class girl would refuse money for moral reasons. She thinks
that the working class are immoral and would do anything for money. She doesn’t understand
that they are people with a conscience.
This also reflects her husband’s view about money. He thinks that profits should be maximised
regardless of morals.
Attitude while
talking to
Inspector Goole
She is incredibly rude towards Inspector Goole. She tries to use her status to exert herself, and
even though this does not succeed, she still carries herself as someone who is beyond the
issues that Inspector Goole raises.
"(haughtily) That
- I consider - is a
trifle impertinent,
Inspector.“ p.30
Haughtily: snobbish, arrogant
She is condescending towards Inspector Goole, believing that her higher status means that she
is above being interrogated by him.
Attitude after
talking to
Inspector Goole
She doesn’t think that she has done anything wrong. She believes in the class system, where
the moral argument to look after those less fortunate is irrelevant.
Her only fear is that the situation could cause a scandal, which would affect her and her family.
She doesn’t care about the affect it had on Eva, a working class girl who lost her life as a result.
“I blame the
young man who
was the father of
the child… He
should be made
an example of.”
p.47
Rather than taking any responsibility, Sybil passes on the blame to someone else. Once again,
she doesn’t think about the consequences of her actions. This time round though, she has been
warned by her daughter to be honest, and in her arrogance, rejected that advice. This time it has
left an impact on her.
How has Sybil Birling changed in the play?
18
SYBIL BIRLING
Page
Theme
Notes
Sybil to Sheila for wanting
to stay for the
interrogations: “Nothing
but morbid curiosity.” p.30
Sybil’s attitude about
Eric’s drinking: “It isn’t
true.” p.32
Sybil about refusing to
help Eva: “I used my
influence to have it
refused.” p.44
Sybil about her attitude
towards Inspector Goole:
“I was the only one who
didn’t give into him.” p.63
19
SYBIL BIRLING
Page
Theme
Notes
20
Quick information
• Son of Arthur and Sybil, brother of Sheila
• A raging alcoholic
• Sleeps with prostitutes
• Stole money from the family after he got a girl pregnant
• Nervous and paranoid
• Doesn’t like his parents very much
• Parents don’t like him much either
Attitude
before talking
to Inspector
Goole
Eric is a nervous alcoholic. This shows that he is reckless and irresponsible. He
doesn’t think about the consequences of his actions, just like his sister. We later find
out that he is nervous because he stole from his father.
Eva told Sybil
that Eric was
“a youngster –
silly and wild
and drinking
too much” p.46
Eric is considered immature. He is reckless and out of control. Eva could not marry
someone like him as there was no love between them. Furthermore, she treated him
like a kid due to his immaturity.
Attitude while
talking to
Inspector
Goole
Eric needs a drink to steady his nerves when talking about his story. He is full of regret
about his actions, knowing that he contributed to the death of Eva and his unborn son.
"Oh - my God! how stupid it all
is!“ p.52
Eric is frustrated by the situation and hates his role in Eva’s death.
Attitude after
talking to
Inspector
Goole
He says this to his parents: "I'm ashamed of you." He blames his mother for the death of
Eva and his child.
“Because
you're not the
kind of father a
chap would go
to when he's in
trouble.” p.54
Eric has a poor relationship with his father. He can’t confide in him, sharing his
problems. Therefore, he resorts to stealing from his father to give money to Eva Smith.
He feels guilt for his role in Eva’s death. The experience has changed him.
This poor relationship: the lack of love from both, the father having no confidence in his
son, the son not being able to confide in his father, could’ve contributed to Eric’s
alcoholism.
How has Eric Birling changed in the play?
21
ERIC BIRLING
Page
Theme
Notes
Eric to father in response
to Eva being fired: "Why
shouldn't they try for
higher wages?“ p.16
Eric to Arthur about
responsibility: “You told us
that a man has to make his
own way, look after himself
and mind his own business,
and that we weren’t to take
any notice of these cranks
who tell us that everybody
has to look after everybody
else” p.58
Eric to Arthur about
marriage: “Well, I’m not old
enough to be married, aren’t
I, and I’m not married and I
hate all these fat old tarts
round the town- the ones
that I see some of your
respectable friends with”
p.52
Eric about Eva’s view of
him: “No. She didn’t want
me to marry her, said I
didn’t love her -and all
that. In a way, she treated
me- as if I were a kid.”
p.53
Eric accepting responsibility
and showing that he has
changed: “I did what I did.
And mother did what she
did. And the rest of you did
what you did to her. It's still
the same rotten story
whether it's been told to a
police inspector or to
somebody else.” p.64
Eric to Sybil about not being
raised with love and
understanding: “You don’t
understand anything. You
never did”. P.55
22
ERIC BIRLING
Page
Theme
Notes
23
Quick information
• He is not a real Police Inspector
• He is mysterious and purposeful
• He is aggressive towards the Birling family
• Very moral and wants the family to confess their sins.
Attitude
towards the
Birling family
Inspector Goole is very aggressive towards the Birling family. He knows that
they are responsible for Eva’s death, and is forceful when getting the truth out of
them. While Arthur and Sybil try to use their high status to exert their will on the
Inspector, we learn that this doesn’t have an impact on him.
“Why should
you do any
protesting? It
was you who
turned the girl
out in the first
place.”
Inspector Goole putting Arthur in his place, reminding him of his role in Eva’s
downfall. He shows his aggression and anger in the quote, which could link to
Arthur’s unwillingness to accept any responsibility.
Moral and
political
views
Inspector Goole is a socialist. He believes that everyone should look after each
other. He believes that it’s a moral responsibility for all, regardless of status.
“We are
members of one
body. We are
responsible for
each other.” P.23
Inspector Goole is saying that he doesn’t believe in the class system, dividing
the people. He believes that all people are one, and responsibility should be
shared through everyone.
Mysterious
figure
Inspector Goole is a mysterious figure. We don’t know who he is. This is left
unresolved. This brings a supernatural element to the play, and how you
interpret him, will determine the meaning you gain from the play.
His name is
Inspector
Goole
‘Goole’ sounds similar to the word ‘Ghoul’ which is a supernatural creature.
Perhaps this indicates that he is a ghost.
Inspector Goole can be seen as God, a ghost, the characters’ moral conscience or J B
Priestley. Pick one and argue your case.
24
INSPECTOR GOOLE
Page
Theme
Notes
Stage direction’s
description of Inspector
Goole: he “need not be a
big man but he creates at
once an impression of
massiveness, solidity and
purposefulness.” p.11
Inspector Goole to Sheila
and Gerald, as Gerald
refuses responsibility and
Sheila takes it all: “You
see, we have to share
something. If there’s
nothing else, we’ll have to
share our guilt.” p.29
25
INSPECTOR GOOLE
Page
Theme
Notes
26
Arthur and Sybil’s
reaction to the news that
the inspector may not be
real and Eva may never
have died.
When they think they’ve been fooled, Mr and Mrs Birling accept it
happily. They are afraid of public scandal and losing their position
in society. They want everything to go back to ‘normal’.
Arthur after they all think
it was a prank: “it makes
all the difference.” p.63
They haven’t learnt their lesson. Instead of taking responsibility,
they are happy about running away from it.
Sheila and Eric’s reaction
to the news that the
inspector may not be real
and Eva may never have
died.
Sheila and Eric have changed. They cannot just pretend they
have no responsibility. Even if it is true there is no dead girl, they
have learned a lesson from their behaviour.
Sheila: [bitterly] “I
suppose we're all nice
people now.” p.63
Sheila and Eric are both angry at their parents for not taking
responsibility, and happily escaping scandal. They are bitter
about their parents not learning from the experience.
Gerald’s reaction to the
news that the inspector
may not be real and Eva
may never have died.
Even though Gerald is of the younger generation, he also wants
to avoid confronting his wrongs. In this respect, although he is
not as bad as the Arthur, he leans more towards Arthur’s
viewpoint than that of Sheila and Eric.
Gerald: “We’ve no proof it
was the same photograph
and therefore no proof it
was the same girl.” p.67
Gerald also wants to avoid scandal, wanting to run away from
taking any responsibility. This shows that either he hasn’t learnt
his lesson, or he’s learnt a lesson but doesn’t want to own up to it
fully.
Why does J B Priestly
end the play in this way?
At the end of the play Mr Birling receives a phone call telling him
that a girl has just died and that a police inspector is on his way to
ask some questions. This unexpected twist in the story creates a
dramatic ending high in tension and suspense.
Priestly showed us if the characters learnt their lesson from their
reaction to it being a hoax. He is now showing that they will not
get away from it.
[As they stare guiltily and
dumbfounded, the curtain
falls.]  Stage direction
p.72
The characters feel guilty and confused by what has just
happened. Even Arthur, Sybil and Gerald understand that they
have to take responsibility for their actions, and the
consequences it’ll bring.
27
Socialism:
“Probably a
Socialist or
some sort of
crank” p.60
[Arthur Birling
about Inspector
Goole]
Arthur Birling, Sheila Birling and Gerald Croft believe in capitalism. They
care about the free market and raising profit. This, alongside their rigid
stance on class, meant that they felt no moral responsibility for the poor.
They did not think that it was the state’s responsibility. [Look at quote]
Sheila Birling and Eric Birling lean towards socialism. They think that there
should be a collective responsibility for the poor. This idea links to more
equality and jeopardises the class system.
JB Priestly believes is a socialist [Look at context]
Class:
“so long as we
behave
ourselves, don’t
get into the
police court or
start a scandal
- eh” p.8
The Birlings are middle class, and both parents are obsessed by class.
Sybil Birling’s family is socially superior to the family of her husband.
Arthur Birling believes that he is in line to receive a knighthood.
Arthur Birling was a Lord Mayor, a Councillor and a Magistrate – all of these
are high status jobs.
The parents don’t care about the welfare of those in the working class.
[Arthur Birling
in reference to
his supposed
‘knighthood’]
The parents are terrified of a scandal because of the impact it would have
on their status. [Look at quote]
Generation
gap:
“The famous
younger
generation who
know it all.”
p.72
J B Priestly shows us the different attitudes of the young and old.
[Arthut Birling
about Sheila
and Eric’s
reaction to their
parents.]
There is a ideological divide between young and old. The quote shows us
that the older generation look down on and mock the views of the younger
generation.
The old, represented by Arthur and Sybil Birling, are stuck in the rigid class
system, where everyone looks out for themselves.
The young, represented by Sheila and Eric Birling, have more of a social
conscience.
Gerald Croft lies somewhere in between. Whilst he shows a conscience
when dealing with Eva Smith, he also doesn’t accept responsibility for her
death. When he thinks it’s all a hoax, it celebrates with the older
generation.
28
LIGHTING
“pink and
intimate” p.1
This is how the lighting is described at the start of the play when the
Birlings and Gerald Croft are having dinner, celebrating the engagement of
Sheila and Gerald.
The lighting shows that they are looking at life through rose-tinted glasses.
They think that everything is good and they are all very happy. They are not
living in reality.
“brighter and
harder” p.1
This is how the lighting is described when Inspector Goole enters the scene.
The lighting shows that they are all now under the spotlight. Their happy
lives have been turned upside down and they will be interrogated. They
must now live in the real world where they must take responsibility.
DESCRIPTIONS OF CHARACTER
[Each
character is
introduced with
a description]
p.1-2
This reveals the characters’ looks and personality, which can be very helpful
in understanding who they are.
Arthur: “with fairly easy manners but rather provincial in his speech.”
Sybil: “about fifty, a rather cold woman and her husband’s superior”
Eric: “in his early twenties, not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive”
Gerald: “an attractive chap about thirty, rather too manly to be a dandy but
very much the easy well-bred man-about-town.”
CHARACTERS SPEAKING
“half serious,
half playful” p.3
This is the description used for when Sheila talks to Gerald when they
talked about where he had been in the Summer.
The stage direction shows that while she is joking, she doesn’t completely
trust that Gerald is being honest with her. This reveals the tension in their
relationship.
Sybil Birling
speaks
“triumphantly”
p.48
This stage direction shows that Sybil doesn’t lose her pride when she talks.
She is of a high status and talks in that way. She is very condescending
towards Inspector Goole, her children, and when talking about Eva Smith.
29
The exam is 1 hour and 30
minutes long.
SECTION A
• There will be two questions to choose from.
• You only have to answer one of these questions.
• The questions will be about characters and
themes/context.
• There will be bullet points explaining what they are
looking for. Focus on them.
• There will be no extract. You must find quotes from
the play yourself.
• It is out of 34 marks (4 marks for spelling,
punctuation and grammar)
• You should spend 45 minutes answering the
question.
SECTION B
• There is one question, which is split into part a and
part b.
• You must answer both parts of the question.
• The questions will be about characters and/or
themes/context.
• There will be bullet points explaining what they are
looking for. Focus on them.
• In part a, there will be an extract from the novel that
you must find quotes from.
• In part b, you must find quotes from the book
yourself.
• It is out of 34 marks (4 marks for spelling,
punctuation and grammar)
• You should spend 45 minutes answering both parts
a and b.
• You should spend 22.5 minutes on each part.
30
Mark Band 6
26-30 marks
•
•
•
•
•
Mark Band 5
21-25 marks
•
•
•
•
•
Mark Band 4
16-20 marks
•
•
•
•
•
Mark Band 3
11-15 marks
•
•
•
•
•
Mark Band 2
6-10 marks
•
•
•
•
•
Mark Band 1
1-5 marks
•
•
•
•
•
0 marks
Insightful exploratory response to task
Insightful exploratory response to text
Close analysis of detail to support interpretation
Evaluation of the writer‟s uses of language and/or structure
and/or form and effects on readers/audience
Convincing/imaginative interpretation of ideas/themes
Exploratory response to task
Exploratory response to text
Analytical use of details to support interpretation
Analysis of writer‟s uses of language and/or structure and/or
form and effects on readers/audience
Exploration of ideas/themes
Considered/qualified response to task
Considered/qualified response to text
Details linked to interpretation
Appreciation/consideration of writer‟s uses of language
and/or form and/or structure and effect on readers/audience
Thoughtful consideration of ideas/themes
Sustained response to task
Sustained response to text
Effective use of details to support interpretation
Explanation of effects of writer‟s uses of language and/or
form and/or structure and effects on readers/audience
Understanding of ideas/themes/feelings/attitudes
Explained response to task
Explained response to text
Details used to support a range of comments
Identification of effect(s) of writer‟s choices of language
and/or form and/or structure
Awareness of ideas/themes/feelings/attitudes
Supported response to task
Supported response to text
Comment(s) on detail(s)
Awareness of writer making choice(s) of language and/or
structure and/or form
Generalisations about ideas/themes/feelings/attitudes
Nothing worthy of credit
31
ASSESSMENT OF SPELLING, PUNCTUATION AND GRAMMAR
Spelling, punctuation and grammar will be assessed in every question in both
section A and section B. A maximum of 4 marks can be awarded for spelling,
punctuation and grammar on each response. The performance descriptions are
provided below.
Marks
Awarded
4
3
2
1
Performance description
Candidates spell, punctuate and use the rules of
grammar with consistent accuracy and effective control of
meaning in the context of the demands of the question.
Where required, they use a wide range of specialist terms
adeptly and with precision.
Candidates spell, punctuate and use the rules of
grammar with considerable accuracy and general control
of meaning in the context of the demands of the question.
Where required, they use a good range of specialist
terms with facility.
Candidates spell, punctuate and use the rules of
grammar with reasonable accuracy in the context of the
demands of the question. Any errors do not hinder
meaning in the response. Where required, they use a
limited range of specialist terms appropriately.
Candidates spell, punctuate and use the rules of
grammar with some accuracy in the context of the
demands of the question. Errors may occasionally
obstruct meaning. Where required, specialist terms tend
not to be used appropriately.
The marks allocated for spelling, punctuation and grammar will achieve a
total weighting of 5% of the total marks for the qualification
32
Question 17
17 In Act 2 of An Inspector Calls, Sheila says to
her mother, Mrs Birling, “But we really must
stop these silly pretences”.
How does Priestley show, in his presentation of
Mrs Birling, that she often pretends to be
something she is not?
(30 marks)
SPaG: (4 marks)
OR
Question 18
18 How important do you think social class is in
An Inspector Calls and how does Priestley
present ideas about social class?
(30 marks)
SPaG: (4 marks)
33
Question 17
Indicative content
Examiners are encouraged to reward any valid interpretations.
Answers might, however, include some of the following:
AO1
• shocked by her son‟s drinking / talk of his relationship with the girl,
but she can‟t bear not hearing what Eric has to say about it - is
hypocritical
• part of a committee that purports to help young girls in distress, but
when the real test comes she fails to do so - pretends to be a
helpful, caring person, but she is not
• lays the blame on the father of the child, but when it becomes
obvious that this is Eric she won‟t own up to her comments until
Sheila insists - quick to apportion blame, but not if it concerns her
own child
• quick to criticise Gerald‟s affair but is equally quick to forget it once
the blame appears to have been removed /end of the play she
praises Gerald for the way he appears to have settled things. She
shows no remorse / pretends nothing has changed
AO2
• Stage directions - a „rather cold woman and her husband‟s social
superior‟. The stage descriptions of her actions change as the
pretence is revealed e.g. „grandly‟ „haughtily‟ „triumphantly‟ become
„rather cowed‟ „distressed‟ „staggered‟ „alarmed‟. Also „Mrs Birling
enters briskly and self-confidently, quite out of key with the little
scene that has just passed‟
• Puts on a pretence of respectability by her use of euphemisms: e.g.
„a girl of that class‟ who has found herself in a „particular condition‟
• Use of imagery: Sheila warns her mother not to try and build up a
kind of „wall‟ – the wall being a symbol of a barrier/pretence
• Mrs Birling‟s pretence revealed by other characters – in particular
the Inspector and Sheila
34
Question 18
Indicative content
Examiners are encouraged to reward any valid interpretations.
Answers might, however, include some of the following:
AO1
• Ideas about the class system at the start – reference to the maid
and to Mrs Birling as „her husband‟s social superior‟
• Importance of Gerald‟s marriage to Sheila in terms of linking the
Birlings to the Crofts – „an old county family‟ – chance of a
knighthood for Birling
• Capital versus labour - clear idea of us and them with no sense
of responsibility for others – „a man has to mind his own
business and look after himself and his own‟
• How Eva Smith/Daisy Renton is used and abused by her social
superiors
• Attitude of Inspector Goole – „members of one body‟
AO2
• Inspector Goole as a dramatic device to represent the working
classes and Priestley‟s views – and his use of rhetoric- „millions
and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths...‟
• How Birling‟s obsession with class is revealed in his
speeches/lectures
• Stage directions to describe the comfortable existence of the
Birling family at the start of the play – lighting „pink and intimate‟
– their self-contained lives
• Birling is „provincial in his speech‟/ references to the way in
which any of the characters speak
• Language used to refer to the working classes
35
Question 17
17 What do you think is the importance of Inspector Goole and how does Priestley present
him?
(30 marks)
SPaG: (4 marks)
OR
Question 18
18 Remind yourself of the stage directions below from the start of Act 1.
The dining-room of a fairly large suburban house, belonging to a prosperous
manufacturer. It has good solid furniture of the period. The general effect is
substantial and heavily comfortable, but not cosy and homelike. (If a realistic set is
used, then it should be swung back, as it was in the production at the New Theatre.
By doing this, you can have the dining-table centre downstage during Act One, when
it is needed there, and then, swinging back, can reveal the fi replace for Act Two, and
then for Act Three can show a small table with telephone on it, downstage of fi replace;
and by this time the dining-table and its chairs have moved well upstage. Producers
who wish to avoid this tricky business, which involves two re-settings of the scene and
some very accurate adjustments of the extra fl ats necessary, would be well advised to
dispense with an ordinary realistic set, if only because the dining-table becomes a
nuisance. The lighting should be pink and intimate until the INSPECTOR arrives, and
then is should be brighter and harder.)
At rise of curtain, the four BIRLINGS and GERALD are seated at the table, with
ARTHUR BIRLING at one end, his wife at the other, ERIC downstage, and SHEILA
and GERALD seated upstage. EDNA, the parlour maid, is just clearing the table,
which has no cloth, of dessert plates and champagne glasses, etc., and then
replacing them with decanter of port, cigar box and cigarettes. Port glasses are
already on the table. All fi ve are in evening dress of the period, the men in tails and
white ties, not dinner-jackets. ARTHUR BIRLING is a heavy-looking, rather
portentous man in his middle fi fties with fairly easy manners but rather provincial in his
speech. His wife is about fi fty, a rather cold woman and her husband’s social
superior. SHEILA is a pretty girl in her early twenties, very pleased with life and rather
excited. GERALD CROFT is an attractive chap about thirty, rather too manly to be a
dandy but very much the easy well-bred young man-about-town. ERIC is in his early
twenties, not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive. At the moment they have all had a
good dinner, are celebrating a special occasion, and are pleased with themselves.
In the rest of the play, how does Priestley present and develop some of the ideas shown
here?
(30 marks)
SPaG: (4 marks) 36
Question 17
Indicative content
Examiners are encouraged to reward any valid
interpretations. Answers might, however, include
some of the following:
AO1
• what Inspector Goole says / does in the play
• his revelations to each of the Birling family and
Gerald and what this represents
• what he says in his speech before he leaves which
relates to his importance
• his ideas about social responsibility
• a ‘real’ character?
AO2
• contrast between Birling’s speech about the Titanic
and war and Inspector Goole’s speech at the end
• Inspector Goole as Priestley’s mouthpiece
• Use of humour – ‘I don’t play golf’ – humanises him
somewhat and makes him more credible
• Stage directions which relate to Inspector Goole
and their significance
37
Question 18
Indicative content
Examiners are encouraged to reward any valid
interpretations. Answers might, however, include
some of the following:
AO1
• Ideas about the class system – reference to the
maid and Mrs Birling as ‘her husband’s social
superior’
• Ideas about characters – e.g. how Sheila is
‘pleased with life’, Eric being ‘not quite at ease’
• The whole family being ‘pleased with themselves’
• The idea of the house not being ‘ cosy and
homelike’
AO2
• Use of irony – this world is turned upside down by
the arrival of Inspector Goole
• Reference to the lighting and how it is significant
later in the play
• Details used to present the Birling house / family
and what they suggest
• Features of language / stage directions / structure
from later in the play relevant to the task
38
Question 17
17 Arthur Birling says, ‘If we were all
responsible for everything that happened to
everybody we’d had anything to do with, it
would be very awkward, wouldn’t it?’
How does Priestley present ideas about
responsibility in An Inspector Calls?
(30 marks)
SPaG: (4 marks)
OR
Question 18
18 How do you respond to Gerald in An
Inspector Calls? How does Priestley make you
respond as you do by the ways he writes?
(30 marks)
SPaG: (4 marks)
39
Question 17
Indicative content
Examiners are encouraged to reward any valid
interpretations. Answers might, however , include some of
the following:
AO1
• May refer to Birling’s quote and thus his attitude to
responsibility – and other characters’ attitudes to
responsibility and how they are different
• The Inspector’s attitude to responsibility – ‘each of you
helped to kill her’ – and his final speech to a wider audience
– ‘millions and millions of Eva Smiths...’
• Socialist views about responsibility – collective responsibility
– everyone in society linked
• Ideas about the play as a warning about how we should be
responsible for our actions
AO2
• The words ‘responsible’ and ‘responsibility’ are used by
most characters in the play – comment on some examples
• ‘fire and blood and anguish’ – significance of the choice of
these words
• The use of stage directions to reveal the characters’
reactions to what the Inspector has to say about how they
treated Eva Smith
• How Priestley creates a sense of self-satisfied smugness
about the Birling family, where and how they live – thus little
sense
40
Question 18
Indicative content
Examiners are encouraged to reward any valid
interpretations. Answers might, however , include some
of the following:
AO1
• Aristocrat – ideas about class system – essentially
engaged to someone ‘beneath’ him
• Not as willing as Sheila to admit his guilt – at first
pretends he never knew Daisy Renton – link with Mr
Birling?
• Seems to have some genuine feelings for Daisy Renton
• In Act 3, Gerald tries to come up with as much evidence
as possible to prove the Inspector is a fake – wants to
protect himself rather than change himself
• Which generation does he ‘fit’ most readily with?
AO2
• Regular references to Gerald’s ‘disappearance’ the
previous summer makes the audience wonder about
him
• References to any stage directions which reveal
Gerald’s attitudes / feelings
• How Priestley creates a sense of self-satisfaction in
Gerald when he thinks ‘Everything’s all right now’
• Presentation as an ‘easy, well-bred young man-about
town’
41
Question 17
17 An Inspector Calls has been called ‘a play of
contrasts’.
Write about how Priestley presents some of the
contrasts in the play.
(30 marks)
SPaG: (4 marks)
OR
Question 18
18 How does Priestley present the change in
Sheila during the course of the play An
Inspector Calls? How do you think this change
reflects some of Priestley’s ideas?
(30 marks)
SPaG: (4 marks)
42
Question 17
Indicative content
Answers might deal with some of the following aspects of the
play:
AO1
• contrast between Sheila and Eva/Daisy e.g.
privileged/unprivileged, rich/poor
• contrast between attitudes of youth and age e.g. selfsatisfaction of the Birlings, openness to change of the
younger generation
• contrast between the Inspector and the family e.g. the
Inspector‟s feelings of responsibility and the absence of
these feelings in the Birlings
• contrast between the Inspector‟s self-assurance and the
disappearance of the self-assurance of the others during
the course of the play.
AO2
• cheerful mood of the play at the beginning, which then
gets darker as the play progresses
• stage directions/lighting
• contrast in language used by Inspector and Birling in their
speeches
• use of irony to show and emphasise contrast-impossibility
of war and the impossibility that the Titanic could sink
• stage directions for characters‟ dialogue from „smiling‟,
„gaily‟ etc to „hysterically‟, „hesitantly‟.
43
Question 17
Indicative content
Answers might deal with some of the following aspects of the play:
AO1
• Sheila is more open to change than the other characters,
especially the older generation; she begins to realise the
difference between right and wrong; she becomes more
independent as the play progresses
• she is very different at the end of the play to the beginning; from
a girl pleased with life, self-centred and attractive she develops
a conscience and feels regret over her dealings with Eva
• she learns from experience and is honest about her behaviour
• realises that honesty and truth are important
• ideas she reflects of Priestley e.g. responsibility
AO2
• stage directions at the beginning; „very pleased with life and
rather excited‟
• Sheila‟s use of language – seen by her move from dependence
on parents and her future husband to more independence. Her
more passionate use of language, her use of sarcasm (“So
nothing‟s happened, so there‟s nothing to be sorry for, nothing
to learn.”)
• dramatic language “We killed her”
• stage directions– she „shivers‟, „tensely‟ (showing her fear)
• actions – hands back the engagement ring, shows her
independence by saying to her father “I‟m not a child”. Shows
she becomes a bit like the inspector – asking questions,
contradicting her mother.
44
Question 17
17 How does Priestley show that tension
is at the heart of the Birling family?
(30 marks)
SPaG: (4 marks)
OR
Question 18
18 Priestley criticises the selfishness of
people like the Birlings. What methods
does he use to present this selfishness?
(30 marks)
SPaG: (4 marks)
45
Question 17
Indicative content
Examiners are encouraged to reward any valid
interpretations. Answers might, however , include some of
the following:
AO1
• the lack of understanding between the generations – Mr
Birling does not understand his children
• sibling squabbles
• lack of compassion and differing views/beliefs brought out by
the Inspector
• the characters are outspoken and do not consider each other
• the impact of the Inspector takes the shroud off the niceties
within the family
AO2
• the play form allows tension to be created through the staging
and scene directions – the use of subdued lighting at the
beginning to create a relaxed atmosphere could in fact be
shrouding the true feelings at the table especially as the
language hints at tension
• the use of cliff hangers especially used to show Sheila and
Gerald‟s relationship and problems (it will be assumed by
students that as they are engaged he is considered part of the
family)
• the dialogue between the characters is a clear indication of
tension, e.g. Birling and Eric.
• the children still being treated as „little children‟, seen through
the language
46
Question 18
Indicative content
Examiners are encouraged to reward any valid
interpretations. Answers might, however , include some of
the following:
AO1
• the lack of understanding from Birling of the working class
• Sheila having no regard for other people as seen in the
incident at Milwards
• Eric stealing money to „sort out his problem‟
• Sybil – having a position in society and not using it correctly
• social satire of the wealthy class and their lack of
appreciation for others
AO2
• dramatic irony – to humiliate those similar to Birling – shows
their self-obsession and that their assuredness is misplaced
• the fact the play is set in 1912 and written in 1945/6 –
satirises his society and those in it like Birling who have not
learnt from past mistakes
• creating a chain of events to show that one action can have
many consequences
• through the dialogue of the characters – Priestley is able to
highlight their faults
• through the Inspectors tone and style of questioning –
mouthpiece for Priestley?
47