An Inspector Calls -J.B. Priestley

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An Inspector Calls- J. B. Priestley {MindMap} -For GCSE
Sue Hayler
Mind Map by Sue Hayler, updated more than 1 year ago
Sue Hayler
Created by Sue Hayler over 7 years ago
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Resource summary

An Inspector Calls -J.B. Priestley
  1. Themes
    1. Wealth
      1. The Birlings are a very wealthy family abd Mr Bilrling coninuously likes to remind the Inspector of his money, and relations.
      2. Power
        1. The Birlings are quite a reputable family. Sheila "used the power you had, as a daughter of a good customer and also of a man well-known in the town..."-Inspector (Sheila had Eva sacked for being "very impertinent" and "very pretty". As a result, Sheila felt " furious" and "jealous of her".) Mr Birling displays his power through his powerful friends, "Chief Constable, Colonel Roberts". Mr Birling mentions that "they play golf together sometimes" and, in saying that, he hints that, not only does he have the power to cost Inspector Goole his job, but in the era in which this play is set- 1912, golf was only played by those who were of high standing status and were wealthy enough to play.
        2. Influence
          1. The Birlings, due to being "well- known", have a lot of influence. In Act Two, Mrs Birling uses her "influence as the most prominent member of the committee" and so, "help was refused to the girl".
          2. Blame
            1. At first the Birlings pass the blame around themselves, until Sheila admits responsibility. She is then followed by Eric in her acceptance of the blame. Mr and Mrs Birling, however, brush off the blame and deny any responsibility.
            2. Responsibilty
              1. This links in with the theme of "Blame".
              2. Public VS Private
                1. Mr and Mrs Birling are afraid about their actions coming to light: "a public scandal". But when they find out that the Inspector wasn't really an Inspector, the older Birlings laugh it off and call the whole incident "a bit off moonshine". Also the theme of Privacy is shown through Eric's 'secret' drinking: “he’s been steadily drinking too much for the last two years”.
                2. Class
                  1. There is a clear divide between social classes. The Birlings' treatemnt of Eva Smith may be due to her being a girl or, as Mrs. Birling puts it: "of that class".
                    1. There is an obvious difference in class between the Birlings and the Inspector and Mr. Birling decides to show his wealth, power and his superiority to the Inspector by asking him whether he plays "golf". The Inspector replies that he doesn't- this is because he is of a lower class and due to that, he wouldn't play golf.
                    2. Legality
                      1. Between all of what the Birlings and Gerald Croft have done against Eva Smith, Eric Birling is the only one of
                    3. Characters
                      1. Mr Arthur Birling
                        1. Mrs Sybil Birling
                          1. Sheila Birling
                            1. Eric Birling
                              1. Eva Smith/ Daisy Renton
                                1. Inspector Goole
                                  1. Gerald Croft
                                    1. Edna
                                    2. Key Quotes
                                      1. Capitalism VS Socialism
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