The English Department
An Inspector Calls
J.B Priestley
What does this exam look like?
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Each question worth 34 marks
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30 for content 4 for SpaG
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Theme and Character based questions
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Social Class and Mr Birling
Mandatory text
Optional text
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Context: Social Class
The historical background of the story. Where it takes place and/or when it was written. You may also include author's context about their biography
Why do I need to know this?
In a PETER paragraph, you will be asked to make some comment on the novel and how it connects to the historical context of when it was set and/or written. Download your PETER paragraph structure here
Social Class
Revision Booklet
Theme: Social Class
an idea that reoccurs in a work of art or literature.
Why do I need to know this?
In the exam, you may choose to do the theme question, of which you will need to ensure that you are speaking about various moments of where social class is being presented in the play. Moreover, you should discuss what is the authors message about the theme. For example, what is Priestley's views about social class? How does this, perhaps, connect with his own historical context ? How is the reader/audience POSITIONED to think about social class and the Birlings themselves? Is there a specific charatcer that sumbolises this theme? Explain.
Exemplar paragraph
Techniques
Embedded quotes
Explanation
Audience impact
Context
Priestley uses the character of the Inspector to explore social class and responsibility through the comments he makes about society. In his final speech, he tells the Birlings that "We don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other." This pattern of three statements repeats the plural pronoun "we" to emphasise socialist values of joint responsibility. It encompasses both him and the family, reiterating the importance of their acknowledgement that actions have consequences. The short sentences throughout the speech further emphasise the direct and important messages that we should all respect and help each other and this is captured in the metaphor "one body." The audience is meant to reflect on their own past, and see themselves through the lessons learned by the Birlings and their ordeal. Priestley wanted to symbolise this reflection through the character of the Inspector. As this was written in 1945, this is particularly important, as the war had just ended. Audiences were meant to think about how actions have consequences, which they probably linked to capitalism, society and the war.
Characters: Mr Birling
Why do I need to know this?
In your exam question, you will be asked something about Mr Birling. You must know what kind of person he is-- not just his appearance but how he INTERACTS with iother people and his surroundings. What are his beliefs? Attitudes? Viewpoints? Are we positioned to like him or hate him? How does Priestley want us to view him?
Exploding Quotes
When exploding quotes, you are essentially speaking about EVEYRTHING you can about them.
You can include:
Word level analysis, theme, significance, what it tells us bout the character or situation, link to context, what others think when s/he says it, who s/he says it to and why, the expected response from the audience, the expected response from other characters etc...
Examples:
“Lower costs, higher prices”
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Capitalism
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Makes us consider what his true intentions are
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Industrial revolution
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Superlative shows intensity
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Contrast shows range (lower/higher)
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Shows he is upper class because… cheap labour, profitable
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He was at dinner with Gerald when he said this, which was very much a BUSINESS transaction, so he focusses on how he can make a PROFIT. Impressing Gerald?
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Priestley was a socialist so he has a biased against the character he created.
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Talking business at an engagement dinner—arrogant, selfish, unaware of surroundings
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Trying to exert his power and authority, showing the control of his business
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Shows he is of a higher social class and DOESN’T CARE about the needs of his workers. A jerk.
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The author positions us to hate him and think very negatively about him—antagonist
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“There will be a public scandal—unless were lucky”
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Worried about reputation
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Is he worried about HIS reputation or his family’s?
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Worried what this could do for his business—Public—outer world, US vs THEM
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While worried, he is hopeful at the end—relies on luck to get him out of it? Not hard work?
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One of the only times in the play where he shows uncertainty—not expected of his pompous character
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Scandal—very serious
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May lose respect and be seen differently. Public persona is very important to him
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Through this, Priestley’s message is…
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This reflects the theme of social class because….
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This tells us that Birling is very…. Because…
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The writer positions us to feel this way because….
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“There will be”—definitive/controlling. There definitely will be… he is being very decisive.
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He is saying this to his family, after hearing about Eva’s death which surely makes them feel…. Because… is it right to make the family feel this way?
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Patriarchy
Try this with the following quotes
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"silly, little war scares"
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"Just let me finish, Eric"
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"Community and all that nonsense"
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Birling calls the Inspector's visit a "hoax"
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"Theyre not cheap labour, theyre people!
Preparation questions
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How far do you agree that Mr Birling is a man who takes care of his family?
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How far do you agree that Mr Birling is a "man of the time?" Link this to historical context and evidence from the text
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How does Priestley present contrasting views about social responsibility? Use at least two moments from the text
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Analyse the inspectors last speech. How does Priestley present social responsibility in this speech? Comment on at least 3 things.
the main events of a play, novel, film, or similar work, devised and presented by the writer as an interrelated sequence.
Plot
Why do I need to know this?
In an essay, you will need to show that you understad important parts of the play and HOW they fit into one another. Rememember, everything in the play is a construction and created by Priestley. You will need to comment on relevant moments for your exam, and thus will need to know when social class and Mr Birling are present!
Inspector Calls Plot
Inspector Calls Plot
An Inspector Calls (2018)
'An Inspector Calls': Act 1 Summary
'An Inspector Calls': Act 2 Summary
'An Inspector Calls': Act 3 Summary
Act 1-3 Analysis
Extension Questions
Act 2 and 3 Questions
Comic Strip
As of Mar 10
Birling Revision Booklets
