LANGUAGE:
> Direct Address: Inspector speaks plainly - 'burnt inside out' - contrasting Mr Birling's long speech in Act 1; Sheila uses this tone more (see below) in the later Acts, contrasting her childish 'I'm sorry, Daddy.' in Act 1.
> Fronted Conjunction: Sheila uses this in 'But these girls aren't cheap labour - they're people.' which contrasts her timid obedience in Act 1.
> Dramatic Irony: Mr Birling uses this on multiple occasions - 'The famous younger generation who know it all.' - to show the older generation are actually the most naive and in fact the younger generation are more adult than the older generation; 'unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable.'
> Euphemisms: 'girls of that class.' and 'a girl of that sort.' to refer to the struggles such as prostitution that Eva had to face - display the Birling's unwillingness to associate with the lower class.
> Adjectives: 'cranks' and 'scaremongers.' again used to display the Birling's disregard of the lower class - capitalism.

> Imagery: 'we are members of one body' is an idea found in the Bible - we have a sacred duty to care for each other; 'they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.' is the Inspector's parting line - sounds like 'fire mingled with blood' from the Book of Revelation where people are punished for their sins.
> Symbolism:
> The Ring: ('[she hands him the ring.]') symbolizes love, but also obedience and a woman's faith to men at the time, so when Sheila gives the ring back it symbolizes Sheila's independence and breaking away from the gender hierarchy. In Sheila's monologue following this event ('I don't dislike you as I did half an hour ago, Gerald.') short sentences are repeatedly used, representing the direct tone Sheila takes on with her newfound independence.
> Lighting: the light changes from 'pink and intimate' to 'brighter and harder' as the Inspector enters, symbolizing the loss of love and unity between the Birling's, as well as the Inspector's authority over the family; brighter light like a spotlight.

	Created by Louise Sherry about 9 years ago

GCSE English Literature Note on English Lit: An Inspector Calls, created by Louise Sherry on 03/09/2017.

English Lit: An Inspector Calls