An Inspector Calls Essay Guide

An Inspector Calls

A good introduction tells your reader exactly what your essay will discuss. Use the following steps to write an amazing introduction. (1) Topic Sentence: What is the essay about? Restate the key words of the question. Ex) An Inspector Calls is a dramatic and

entertaining play. (2) Personal Opinion Using 2-3 examples, briefly state why

you thought it was successful Ex) the twist, interesting characters, Meaningful theme, etc. Why did you like it?

(3) Background Info What is the story about? Discuss the

Plot/characters in a couple of short sen-tences.

(4) Background Info Who wrote it? When? A couple of

sentences explaining who JB Priestly is. (5) Why did he write it? Think about why it was set before WW1,

what messages does it contain? Class sys-tem (rich vs poor), responsibility, etc. What did he want to tell the world?

Useful resources: There are 3 pages about JB Priestly, 1 was handed out when we began the play, 2 are inside your homework pack. These may help you in section 4, 5. Remember, show how „who he is‟ (his opinions, background etc) have influenced his writing. (ex, he is a socialist who be-lieves people should all be treated equally) Remember to keep it fairly short… 8-12 sentences should be plenty. No need to quote in this paragraph, but you should mention specific exam-ples from the play, especially in sections 2 and 3

An Inspector Calls

Themes

Themes are important because they are the underlying message that an author is trying to tell the reader/audience. They often say something im-portant about human nature / how the world works. (1) Topic Sentence: What are the main themes in this play? (Responsibility, Social Classes) (2) Responsibility What does the author mean by

„responsibility‟? What do some of the main characters think about responsibility? (Birling, Inspector, Sheila…..) Use quote or refer to example. What does it say about them as people? See homework book for more info.

(3) Consequences Actions have consequences. What are the consequences of the Birling‟s actions? What does this show about the world? Is everything connected? Are we individuals? Or are we a society? (4) Social Classes What are social classes? Rich/Poor. What do they have to do with the play? How do the rich treat the poor? Why? Are they better people? More caring? More refined? Use examples to discuss. Ex) Alderman Meggarty, Eva Smith, etc. Why was it set in 1912? Was the class system different then? Why was a young, poor woman chosen? Why is her true identity a mystery? Sympathy? For her? For a group that she represents? Gerald Croft comes from a high class family, does this impact how he is treated? Eva Smith comes from a low class family; does this affect how she is treated?

Key word: Society

A group of people, a com-munity, can be divided into

classes (rich, poor)

(5) Personal Response Briefly: What are your opinions about

these themes? Are they important? Why? Reminders:

1-2 quotes should be used in this section to help illustrate your key points. Be sure to explain why you are quoting them (how they relate to themes). If possible, focus on key words in your quote and explain how they create meaning.

Always refer to specific examples in your writing. Explain how you know what you are discussing. Ex; if you think that the rich aren‟t any bet-ter than poor people, perhaps use Alderman Meggerty as an example to show that even rich people can do bad things. Some examples of quotations you could use: “A man has to mind his own business and look out for himself”

(Birling, p. 10) 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?”

(Birling, p.14) responsibility “It would do us all a bit of good if sometimes we tried to put ourselves in the place of these young women”

(Inspector Goole, p.19/20) class system “You used the power you had, as the daughter of a good customer and also of a man well known in the town, to punish the girl”

(Inspector Goole, p.24) class system “You see, we have to share something. If there‟s nothing else, we‟ll have to share our guilt”

(Inspector Goole, p.29) responsibility

In this section, you are asked to comment on

how the words and phrases JB Priestly use

help to create meaning and give additional

information to the reader.

Erics first words is a “guffaw” (laugh) when Gerald

assures Sheila, “I will, I will” [be careful not to let

her find out about his affairs with women]. This sug-

gests that he knows about Gerald's affair, but be-

cause of his own, and he will not tell Sheila even

though she is his own sister.

A polite way of saying something offen-sive. Used by those who wish to sound professional or dignified. Example) passed away = died

Saying things in an especially strong manner. Can be used to persuade others. May use some exaggeration.

Language of the time that is no longer used today. Can show something about the characters or the time period.

Language designed to create an emotional reaction in the reader or Audience.

Differences in the way a character speaks can show changes in mood, or over longer pe-riods of time, changes in the characters' ideas or personality

Eric's mood in the opening minutes is cheerful, but

he becomes uneasy when he thinks Birling and

Gerald know something about him, responding to

Gerald's assurance that they were having “a joke”

with, ”Well, I don't think it's very funny.”(p.10). This

suggests he has a guilty conscience, and is afraid

of his secrets being exposed.

Soon afterwards he `bursts out' “Well I think it's a

dam' shame”(p.16), and shows understanding for

Eva's wish for higher wages, and respect for her hav-

ing “a bit more spirit than the others.”

A posh snob, she is bothered by what people around her

say “(reproachfully) Arthur, you're not supposed to say

such things -” (p.2) and she is shocked at Sheila's lan-

guage “Really the things you girls pick up these days”(p3)

She calls Goole “a trifle impertinent”(p.30), and Eva's

calling herself `Mrs Birling' “gross impertinence”(p.43).

She speaks of “The rude way he [Goole] spoke to Mr

Birling and me - it was extraordinary! “(p.61). To her,

any speech which is less than humble and respectful is

„impertinent‟ because as a lady of the upper class with an

important husband, she `deserves' special treatment

“You know of course that my husband was Lord Mayor

only two years ago and that he's still a magis-

trate”(p.31). Mrs Birling is so used to dominating people

by such threats that when she encounters someone who

resists her bullying she reacts angrily.

He is extremely commanding and authoritative,

in his speech and in his personal presence: “he cre-

ates at once an impression of massiveness, solidity

and purposefulness.” The stage directions repeat-

edly show him “cutting through massively”(p.12),

”cutting in massively”(p.22), “massively taking

charge”(p.28), “With authority”(p.34), “taking

charge, masterfully”(p.55).

Goole remains calm and unruffled, though speaking

“coolly”(p.30) and “impeturbably”(p.31).

His language blunt, emotive and harsh: “Two hours

ago a young woman died in the Infirmary. She'd been

taken there this afternoon because she'd swallowed a

lot of disinfectant. Burnt her inside out, of

course.”(p.11) As Birling points out later, “Just re-

peating it shakes you a bit. And that's what he had to

do. Shake us at once - and then start questioning us

until we didn't know where we were.”(p.69).

He is disgusted and enraged by what has been

done to Eva, saying “She died in misery and agony

hating life”(p.28). He warns, “Public men, Mr Birling,

have responsibilities as well as privileges”(p.41).

Priestley uases Goole to voice views which he himself

held. Mr Birling says the Inspector was “Probably a

Socialist or some sort of crank - he talked like

one”(p.60).

He is boastful, making boring speeches - he thinks he

has earned the right to do this: “We can't let these Ber-

nard Shaws and H G Wellses do all the talking. We hard-

headed practical businessmen must say something

sometime. And we don't guess - we've had experience -

and we know”(p.7)

He tries to intimidate Goole by telling that the Chief

Constable is “an old friend of mine”, and then actually

threatening “I've half a mind to report you”(p.17). He is

willing to use his power and influence to bully people.

Sheila is honest and realistic. She says “We really

must drop these silly pretences”(p32) and comments

that Eric has been “drinking too much for the past two

years.” She says, “we've no excuse now for putting on

airs”(p.41) i.e. behaving as if they are „better‟ than

everyone else.

Sheila feels remorse , and passionately believes that

they should learn from the Inspector's visit. “And don't

let's start dodging and pretending now. Between us we

drove that girl to commit suicide.”(p.66).

Gerald's manner in the opening scene, before Goole's

appearance, reflects his confident, relaxed approach to

life. Birling tells him, “you're just the kind of son-in-law

I always wanted.”(p.4). Gerald proves to be similar to

Mr Birling in his views of business and of women.

She is Sheila is a perceptive - the first to realise that

the Inspector is no ordinary policeman, “Why - you fool -

he knows. Of course he knows. And I hate to think how

much he knows that we don't know yet.” Similarly, she

is the first to realise that the father of Eva's baby is none

other than Eric, and tries to get her mother to stop in-

sisting that he should be held responsible: “(With sudden

alarm) Mother - stop - stop! “(p.48).

Gerald flatters Mr Birling, agreeing with his opinions

(p.6) and doesn‟t argue with him. When Birling is

explaining why he sacked Eva, Gerald approves of his

action “I know we'd have done the same thing.

“(p.17), and refers contemptuously to the striking

women, saying “They'd all be broke - if I know

them.”(p.15). Gerald challenges Goole, saying “we're

respectable citizens and not criminals. “(p.22).

The inspector‟s final speech (pg 56) has a strange, powerful and prophetic quality. This is not the lan-guage of a policeman. His images are almost biblical. He has taken on the role of the prophet of doom.

His arrogant belief that he „knows‟ is seems foolish to

the audience by his confidence in the “unsinkable, abso-

lutely unsinkable”(p.7) Titanic and by the fact that he

dismisses the threat of war ‑ “I say there isn't a chance

of war”(p.6). The implication is that it is tragic that

someone as stupid as this should be in a position

of power.

He has no conscience, and dismisses any suggestion

that he should show responsibility towards his employ-

ees: “If you don't come down sharply on these people

they'll soon be asking for the earth”(p.15). Goole's re-

sponse, “it's better to ask for the earth than to take it”,

shows that he thinks Birling has done this — taken

power he doesn't deserve.

As you read the play, it is important to imagine yourself watching and listening to the action. It is a drama not a novel! The stage directions are important in helping us to imagine exactly what is going on: they can help us picture each character's actions and reactions.

The Setting and Lighting are very important. Priestley describes the scene in detail at the opening of Act 1, so that the audience has the immediate impression of a "heavily comfortable house." The setting is constant (all action happens in the same place). Priestley says that the lighting should be "pink and intimate" before the In-spector arrives - a rose-tinted glow - when it becomes "brighter and harder." The lighting reflects the mood of the play

The mystery genre is interesting. The Inspector controls the pace and tension by dealing with one line of enquiry at a time. The story is revealed gradually, piece by piece, like in a 'whodunit' or a puzzle.

Entrances and exits are crucial. For example, the Inspector arrives immediately after Birling has told Gerald about his impending knight-hood and explained his views on responsibility. Eric leaves and ar-rives at key moments. Think about the Inspector‟s exit and Gerald‟s return with “proof”.

Cliffhangers keep the audience on „the edge of their seats‟ and wanting more. Act 1 ends in the middle of the Inspector‟s question-ing of Gerald — “Inspector: Well?”. Act 2 ends similarly, the audi-ence and Sheila have figured it out, suddlenly “Eric enters, looking extremely pale and distressed… Curtain falls quickly” In Act 3 the Birling‟s believed themselves to be off the hook . This releases some of the tension - but the final call, announcing a real inspector, suddenly restores the tension very dramatically. It is an unexpected final twist.

The timing of the play is 'real time' - in other words, the story lasts exactly as long as the play. The Birling family and Gerald change from self-satisfied to extreme self-doubt in this time. What hap-pens to create such a dramatic contrast? How is the drama main-tained and the audience involved?

There are subtle hints that not is all as it seems. For example, early on we wonder whether the happy atmosphere is slightly forced. Sheila wonders where Gerald was last summer, Eric is nervous about something, Lord and Lady Croft did not attend the engage-ment dinner. This arouses interest in the audience - we want to find out what is going on!

There is dramatic irony . For instance, the audience knows how wrong Mr Birling is when he makes confident predictions about there not being a war and is excited about the sailing of The Titanic: famously, the ship sank on her maiden voyage. This puts the audi-ence at an advantage over the characters and makes us more in-volved.

Sound effects can add a lot to a play. The doorbell is a sound that first disturbs the Birling‟s relaxed evening — the Inspector shatters any hope for a peaceful evening. The sound of the door also alerts the audience to off-stage character‟s actions (Eric). The phone call serves a similar purpose. The audience would want to know what is

Irony is different than dramatic irony. It is when what is being said / done has the opposite meaning, or the opposite happens — can be similar to sarcasm) Think about the ideas in Act 1. For example, Birling saying “there’s a very good chance of a knighthood—so long as we behave ourselves, don’t get into a police court or start a scandal” Soon after, the Birlings and the police are involved in a large scandal

The stage directions give insight into how Priestly wanted the drama to unfold. Pay attention to them to see extra clues that Priestly wanted to give the audience. Do they add to our understand-ing of the characters? Themes? Do they add tension or drama? For good examples see: Eric p.10, 55; Sheila p.23, 71; Birling p.6, 8; Inspector p.28, 55; Sybil p.46, 48; Gerald p.36, 39

One of the most important devices is the Inspector himself, for he is the pathway to truth. He is like a priest in the way that he gives people a chance to change, but it is up to them to accept and make the neces-sary changes. The Inspector is also like the wars because the first one came, when they did not respond, another was sent to make them pay "in fire, blood and anguish." People should have seen the error of their ways and changed while it was possible. Without the inspector, there is no play. He is certainly “no ordinary inspector”

J B Priestley was a socialist, but had trouble settling down to the policies of any one political party. His socialism can was based on compassion and caring for others. He came from a working class background and felt empathy with the factory workers who were exploited by the industrialists such as Arthur Birling.

Although King Edward VII died in 1910, the term „Edwardian Era‟ is usually used for up to 1914. Many people saw the end of the Edwardian Era and the onset of war as the end to a time of peace and stability. BUT, it was a period of false security and Priestley uses this to emphasise the dramatic force of his play.

These were more important in 1912 than today. Many Industrialists (factory owners) got rich in the 1800s. Men like Arthur Birling may have come from humble backgrounds but this new wealth allowed them to climb up the social ladder, gaining power and respect. Marriages between factory owners and aristocratic land-owning families helped to secure new social positions.

The Labour Party was only just beginning to make an impact on political life in the country and the rights of workers, such as Eva Smith, were still not taken seriously by many employers in 1912.

The fictional industrial city of Brumley would have been typical of many towns where factory owners, who provided much needed jobs, were able to run their businesses any way they wanted to.

The periods from 1900 to 1950 represent great leaps towards equality between men and women. Before WW1 (1914) women were expected to be homemakers, raising and caring for families. Women were expected to behave in a certain way. Mrs Birling desperately tries to maintain this illusion during the play. Eva Smith certainly goes against the norm — most women did not work and would be shocked at a single, unmarried pregnant women. Shelia‟s emotional empowerment — her coming of age — is similar to the progress in the Women‟s rights movement.

An Inspector Calls – Historical and Social context

The play was written and first performed in 1945. However, it was set in 1912. This is what creates the dramatic

irony; the fact that the audience in 1945 (and beyond) is aware of all the events that have occurred since 1912 and

of which the characters on stage are unaware.

Historical Context

“Just because the Kaiser makes a speech or two.” (pg 6)

German Empire became established after the downfall of Napoleon III. This led to fears of German domination.

France forged an alliance with Russia. Germany linked with the Austrian Empire and partly Italy. Great Britain was

gradually forced into close association with the Franco-Russian Group when the German navy became more devel-

oped.

It was Kaiser Wilhelm who made enemies of Great Britain, Japan and the US for Germany and all countries armed

themselves. Germany and Austria struck at France, Russia and Serbia.

“Nobody wants war, except some half-civilised folks in the Balkans” (pg 6)

From 1908 the Balkan states were in a bit of turmoil. Austria decided to annex Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Turks

and Serbia objected to this and mobilized their troops. Russia backed Serbia. Britain backed Russia. October 1912 –

First Balkan War

An audience in 1945 would, of course, have just experienced the horror of the Second World War.

Social Context

J B Priestley was a socialist (left wing), but had trouble settling down to the policies of any one particular political

party. His socialism can be said to be based on compassion and caring for others.

He came from a working class background and felt compassion and empathy with the factory workers who were

exploited by the industrialist such as Arthur Birling.

Although King Edward VII died in 1910, the term ‘Edwardian Era’ is usually used for up to 1914.

Many people saw the end of the Edwardian Era and the onset of war as the end to a time of peace and stability.

Harking back to this time nostalgically was an escape from an uncertain and unpleasant future.

BUT, it was a period of false security and Priestley uses this to emphasise the dramatic force of his play.

Social Class

Social position was far more important in 1912 than it is today. Industrial production expanded massively in the

nineteenth century and many industrialists made huge fortunes. Men such as Arthur Birling may have come from

humble backgrounds but this new wealth allowed them to climb up the social ladder.

Marriages between these nouveaux riches families and aristocratic (but often impoverished) land-owning families

helped to secure new social positions.

The Labour Party, which was founded by James Kier Hardie in 1893, was only just beginning to make an impact on

the political life in the country and the rights of workers, such as Eva Smith, were still not taken seriously by many

employers in 1912.