Flashcards
An Inspector Calls- Themes
Cards in this deck (9)
- 1What are the themes in An Inspector Calls?-social responsibility
-age
-gender
-class - 2Why is social responsibility a theme?An Inspector Calls was first performed in the UK in 1946. It was a time of great change in Britain, many writers were concerned with the welfare of the poor. There was no assistance for people who could not afford to look after themselves. Priestley wanted to address this issue.
- 3How is the theme of social responsibility shown in the play?-the treatment of Eva Smith
-how each character does or doesn’t take responsibility for their behaviour
-the Inspector's lessons - 4Why is age a theme?Priestley uses it to show how he believed that there was hope in the younger generation's ability to learn and change. Mr Birling refuses to learn and Mrs Birling cannot see the obvious about herself and her children. Eric and Sheila however are younger - they accept their mistakes and offer the chance for a brighter future.
- 5How is the theme of age shown in the play?-Sheila and Eric's response to Eva's death
-Mr and Mrs Birling's response to Eva's death
-how the older characters perceive the younger ones - 6Why is gender a theme?As many British men went away to fight during the war, their positions in work had to be filled by women. This helped change existing perceptions. Men had to acknowledge the fact that women were just as capable as them. Not all men saw this change in attitude as a good thing and stayed stuck in the past.
- 7How is the theme of gender shown in the play?-how Mr Birling and Gerald Croft view women
-how Mrs Birling treats Eva Smith
-how Eva Smith is portrayed as independent and outspoken before her death - 8Why is class a theme?Before World War Two, Britain was divided by class. The war helped bring these two classes closer together and rationing meant that people of all classes were eating and even dressing the same. The war effort also meant that people from all classes were mixing together.
- 9How is the theme of class shown in the play?Priestley explores the theme of class through the treatment of working-class Eva Smith by the wealthy Birlings and Gerald Croft when she is in the following situations:
-when she is a factory worker
-when she works in a shop
-when she is effectively homeless
-when she is potentially a single mother
Information
- Description
- GCSE English Flashcards on An Inspector Calls- Themes, created by Amelia Quinn on 03/03/2018.
- Created by
- Amelia Quinn
- Views
- 1
- Rating