An Inspector Calls

Characters
1. Sheila
  1. One to change the most and accept her responsibility
  2. First she acts spoilt yet later shows a caring side
  3. Outspoken, unusual for women of the time
  4. Begins to mimic and share Inspector's views
    1. Represents change Priestley wanted to see in society
2. Gerald
  1. Motivated by sympathy and attraction for Eva
  2. Sensitive side seen in his reaction to the death of Eva and his apology to Sheila
  3. Self-confident
  4. Feels deep responsibility yet is quick to dismiss
3. Eric
  1. Misfit
  2. No control
  3. Both he and Sheila represent the younger generation capable of change
  4. Heavy drinker
4. Mr Birling
  1. Man of reputation
  2. No sense of social justice
  3. Represents what socialists dislike in society
  4. Inflated sense of self-worth
5. Mrs Birling
  1. Lack of understanding
  2. Fears a scandal will tarnish her good name
  3. Feels Eva and the Inspector are inferior
  4. Like Birling, feels she has no responsibility for Eva. Quick to blame another
6. Inspector
  1. Voice of conscience
  2. Goole and Ghoul?
  3. J.B Priestley's mouthpiece
  4. Authoritative presence
7. Eva Smith
  1. Tool used by Priestley to represent people we meet in our everyday lives
  2. Never appears on stage and true name not known
  3. Character designed to create empathy in audience
  4. All the actions of the Birling's set her life on a downward journey
Themes
1. An Equitable Society
  1. Social Message
  2. Poverty of workers VS lavish life of employers
  3. Representation of Inspector as the defender of the helpless
  4. People had few rights
2. Responsibility
  1. Inspector's speech that we all are responsible for each other
  2. Mr Birling sees his responsibility as managing his business
  3. Eric does not see his father as the one he would turn to in need. Birling's neglect for family
  4. Mrs Birling's prejudiced sense of responsibility as WCO chair
  5. Eric's lack of responsibility
  6. Sheila's realisation that she shouldn't take advantage of her power
  7. Gerald rescuing then abandoning Eva
3. Love
  1. Sheila and Gerald?
  2. Marriage as a way to climb up the economic and social ladder
  3. True 'charity'. Caring for others
  4. Eric and Gerald's association with Eva
4. Time
  1. Opportunity to change the future
  2. Breaking cycle of taking carless action
  3. Reflecting on past
Structure
1. Well-Made Play
  1. State of ignorance to state of knowledge
  2. Unities of time and place
  3. All pieces fit together, a bigger picture
2. One line of enquiry
  1. Entrances and exits of characters
    1. Changes the mood continuously with each revelation
      1. Dramatic irony of Birling's confidence in advancing society
      2. Sheila trying to stop her mother from condemning Eric
      3. Two plot twists at the end
Setting
1. Industrial town of Brumley
  1. Set within confines of Birlings' dining room
2. Social Status
  1. Gender Inequality
    1. Women were inferior
  2. Upper class were more influential
    1. Could treat workers as they wished
  3. Idea of self-help

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An Inspector Calls

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	Created by Zainab Riaz almost 9 years ago