An Inspector Calls

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley What do we need to do in this unit: • We will study a play which has been written and performed after 1914 • We will be thinking about character as well as plot and setting • Our main focus will be the theatrical elements of the play and the social and historical context ( what was going on at the time ) • We will read the whole play but we will only focus on short extracts from various scenes

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley What was happening when the play was written? • Although the play is set in 1912, it was written in 1945, as the Second World War was just ending. It was a time of great turmoil for the British people. • This play is set during 1912 – the period immediately before the First World War. It was a time when people were uncertain about the future and Britain were no longer quite as powerful as they thought they were. • After the war was an equally difficult time. There was the General Strike in 1926 and the Great Depression in during the 1930’s. • There was a large difference in class systems; the rich got richer and the poor got poorer. • Many people believed that, after two world wars and the problems that came about after them, the world needed to be a fairer place and people needed to treat others better.

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley • What clues are there in the initial stage directions that the Birling family are wealthy and upper class? • The opening few lines of the play are given to Mr Birling. What impression do we get of his character? • At the bottom of page 2, Mrs Birling scolds her husband for what he says. Why do you think what he said was so wrong? • Look again at Mrs Birling’s speech on p.3 of the play. What impression do we get of the position between men and women during this time? • Birling is clearly pleased that Sheila is marrying Gerald – why do you think he is so pleased? • Look again at p.5 of the play. Do you think Gerald and Sheila are really in love? What clues are there?

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley The opening of the play introduces the main characters, and in particular, the character of Mr Birling. Above is one person’s interpretation of what Mr Birling might look like. Based on your reading, either draw or write a paragraph explaining what you think the character might look like. Once you have done this, choose one quotation from the opening few pages of the play which you think sums up the character best.

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley Part of the importance of studying a play like this, is the audience’s interpretation of the characters … both in the way they look and their personality. Our job is to use our own imagination to construct a character.

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley Synopsis so far … Mr Birling, a wealthy and ambitious man, and his family are celebrating the engagement of his daughter, Sheila to Gerald, the son of upper class business people. Mr Birling is seen to be confident and controlling whereas his wife fits happily into the role of rich housewife. The family enjoy a luxurious life, complete with hired help, champagne and cigars. The playwright shows that Mrs Birling is of a different social class to her husband, as she knows how to behave in front of guests whereas her husband shows off. He is also pleased with the marriage because it will improve business relations. Gerald gives Sheila an engagement ring – they are clearly in love – but her attention is taken away when her father wants to make yet another speech.

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley Part of the importance of studying a play and writing coursework essays is finding evidence to support our opinions and ideas. The following slide contains four points about the scene between Mr Birling and Gerald – the scene we have just read aloud. Your job is to find quotations from the play – evidence – to support your ideas. You can use stage directions and speech, but your quotation must appear exactly as it does in the play. The first one has been done to help you.

Focus on p.8 and p.9 only!

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley Which one of the following is the odd one out? An engagement ring Mr Birling World War One

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley What themes have we seen in the play so far?

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley You have a secret that, if it got out, would damage not only your personal relationships but also your reputation and business connections. However, if you keep your secret, you know that other people will get the blame for what you have done. Do you: • Own up and face the consequences. • Not own up and leave the country, for fear that you might be found out. • Not own up and refuse to feel guilty about what you have done.

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley The setting for An Inspector Calls is the Birling household – they are celebrating the engagement of Sheila and Gerald. However, by the end of Act two, the reason why these people have come together this evening, is over and Sheila and Gerald have broken off their engagement. What words would you use to describe Gerald and Sheila at this point in the play? Choose three words for each character – make a note of them in your exercise book.

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley As we approach the end of Act two, we need to start looking at how the playwright presents each character and how the Inspector interrogates each suspect in turn. You will be given two pages of the play to look at within your group. You will also be given question that you have to answer. You will be expected to find three quotations to match the answer to the question. Make your notes on the sheet and be prepared to feedback your answers to the rest of the class.

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley Group one Look again at p.14 and p.15 How does Mr Birling react when the Inspector interrogates him?

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley Group two Look again at p.24 and p.25 How does Sheila react when the Inspector interrogates him?

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley Group three Look again at p.38 and p.39 How does Gerald react when the Inspector interrogates him?

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley Group four Look again at p.11 and p.12 What impression do we get of the Inspector when he begins his interrogation of the Birling family?

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley Group five Look again at p.2 and p.3 What impression do we get of the Birling family when we first meet them?

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley Group six Look again at p.1 and p.2 How does JB Priestley set the scene for the play in his opening stage directions?

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley Now that you have read through the interrogation of Mrs Birling, answer the following questions in full sentences, using evidence to support your points.

What word does JB Priestley repeat in the stage directions on p.41? What does this tell us about Mrs Birling’s reactions to his questioning? • What does the Brumley’s Women’s Charity Organisation do? How does Mrs Birling feel about her work with the charity? • What words in the stage directions on p.43 shows us that Mr and Mrs Birling are beginning to get concerned about this case? • What does Mrs Birling admit to being when it came to Eva Smith / Daisy Renton on p.43? • Look again at Mrs Birling’s speeches on p.45. Do you think she feels guilty about what she did to Eva / Daisy? • What is Mr Birling concerned about on p.46? What does this tell us about how he feels about the case of Eva / Daisy? • Who does Mrs Birling blame for Eva / Daisy’s situation? Why do you think JB Priestley focuses on this point so often in this scene?

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley As we near the end of Act two – and the play – the characters and their behaviour starts to change. What do we notice about each character in the following quotations? Inspector: ‘That doesn’t make it any less yours. She came to you for help, at a time when no woman could have needed it more. And you not only refused it yourself but saw to it that others refused it too. She was here, alone, friendless, almost penniless, desperate. She needed not only money but advice, sympathy, friendliness. You had children. You must have known what she was feeling. And you slammed the door in her face’

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley As we near the end of Act two – and the play – the characters and their behaviour starts to change. What do we notice about each character in the following quotations? Mrs Birling: ‘Secondly, I blame the young man who was the father of the child she was going to have. If, as she said, he didn’t belong to her class, and was some drunken young idler, then that’s all the more reason why he shouldn’t escape. He should be made an example of. If the girl’s death is due to anybody, then it’s due to him.’

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley As we near the end of Act two – and the play – the characters and their behaviour starts to change. What do we notice about each character in the following quotations? Sheila: (with sudden alarm) ‘Mother – stop – stop!’ Birling: ‘Be quiet, Sheila.’ Sheila: ‘But don’t you see –’ Mrs B: (severely) ‘You’re behaving like a hysterical child tonight.’ (Sheila begins crying quietly. )

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley As we near the end of Act two – and the play – the characters and their behaviour starts to change. What do we notice about each character in the following quotations? Birling: (terrified now) ‘Look Inpsector, you’re not trying to tell us that – that my boy – is mixed up in this - ?’ Inspector: (sternly) ‘If he is, then we know what to do, don’t we? Mrs Birling has just told us.’ Birling: (thunderstruck) ‘My God! But – look here –’

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley Look carefully at the list of stage directions below. What order do you think they appear in throughout Act two?

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley So far, we have seen how each one of the characters contributed to the death of Eva Smith; everyone did something to make her unhappy. The only one left to speak is Eric … but is he the one who is ultimately to blame? Is it his fault? Read through the scene carefully. Once you have done so, look at the following statements and decide which ones are true and which are false.

Eric is portrayed as an alcoholic OR Eric is portrayed as a normal young man who lies the occasional drink. • We are reminded that Eva Smith is still poor and hungry OR We are shown that Eva Smith has managed to get back on her feet financially. • Mrs Birling is shocked and disgusted by her son’s actions with Eva OR Mrs Birling is understanding and sympathetic towards Eric. • Eric tells the Inspector that he was in love with Eva Smith OR Eric shows that, like many young men of the time, he was just passing the time with Eva Smith. • Eric looks up to his father and men like him OR Eric hates what his father stands for. • Mr Birling blames his son for the death of Eva Smith OR Mr Birling accepts that everyone in the family must take some responsibility for what has happened. • Eric feels guilty about what he has done to Eva Smith OR Eric is unconcerned about what he has done to Eva Smith. • Eric is furious at his parents and their behaviour towards Eva Smith OR Eric understands why his parents did what they did.

Eric is portrayed as an alcoholicOR Eric is portrayed as a normal young man who lies the occasional drink.

Eric is portrayed as an alcoholicOR Eric is portrayed as a normal young man who lies the occasional drink. • We are reminded that Eva Smith is still poor and hungryOR We are shown that Eva Smith has managed to get back on her feet financially.

Eric is portrayed as an alcoholicOR Eric is portrayed as a normal young man who lies the occasional drink. • We are reminded that Eva Smith is still poor and hungryOR We are shown that Eva Smith has managed to get back on her feet financially. • Mrs Birling is shocked and disgusted by her son’s actions with EvaOR Mrs Birling is understanding and sympathetic towards Eric.

Eric is portrayed as an alcoholicOR Eric is portrayed as a normal young man who lies the occasional drink. • We are reminded that Eva Smith is still poor and hungryOR We are shown that Eva Smith has managed to get back on her feet financially. • Mrs Birling is shocked and disgusted by her son’s actions with EvaOR Mrs Birling is understanding and sympathetic towards Eric. • Eric tells the Inspector that he was in love with Eva Smith OREric shows that, like many young men of the time, he was just passing the time with Eva Smith.

Eric is portrayed as an alcoholicOR Eric is portrayed as a normal young man who lies the occasional drink. • We are reminded that Eva Smith is still poor and hungryOR We are shown that Eva Smith has managed to get back on her feet financially. • Mrs Birling is shocked and disgusted by her son’s actions with EvaOR Mrs Birling is understanding and sympathetic towards Eric. • Eric tells the Inspector that he was in love with Eva Smith OREric shows that, like many young men of the time, he was just passing the time with Eva Smith. • Eric looks up to his father and men like him OREric hates what his father stands for.

Eric is portrayed as an alcoholicOR Eric is portrayed as a normal young man who lies the occasional drink. • We are reminded that Eva Smith is still poor and hungryOR We are shown that Eva Smith has managed to get back on her feet financially. • Mrs Birling is shocked and disgusted by her son’s actions with EvaOR Mrs Birling is understanding and sympathetic towards Eric. • Eric tells the Inspector that he was in love with Eva Smith OREric shows that, like many young men of the time, he was just passing the time with Eva Smith. • Eric looks up to his father and men like him OREric hates what his father stands for. • Mr Birling blames his son for the death of Eva SmithOR Mr Birling accepts that everyone in the family must take some responsibility for what has happened.

Eric is portrayed as an alcoholicOR Eric is portrayed as a normal young man who lies the occasional drink. • We are reminded that Eva Smith is still poor and hungryOR We are shown that Eva Smith has managed to get back on her feet financially. • Mrs Birling is shocked and disgusted by her son’s actions with EvaOR Mrs Birling is understanding and sympathetic towards Eric. • Eric tells the Inspector that he was in love with Eva Smith OREric shows that, like many young men of the time, he was just passing the time with Eva Smith. • Eric looks up to his father and men like him OREric hates what his father stands for. • Mr Birling blames his son for the death of Eva SmithOR Mr Birling accepts that everyone in the family must take some responsibility for what has happened. • Eric feels guilty about what he has done to Eva SmithOR Eric is unconcerned about what he has done to Eva Smith.

Eric is portrayed as an alcoholicOR Eric is portrayed as a normal young man who lies the occasional drink. • We are reminded that Eva Smith is still poor and hungryOR We are shown that Eva Smith has managed to get back on her feet financially. • Mrs Birling is shocked and disgusted by her son’s actions with EvaOR Mrs Birling is understanding and sympathetic towards Eric. • Eric tells the Inspector that he was in love with Eva Smith OREric shows that, like many young men of the time, he was just passing the time with Eva Smith. • Eric looks up to his father and men like him OREric hates what his father stands for. • Mr Birling blames his son for the death of Eva SmithOR Mr Birling accepts that everyone in the family must take some responsibility for what has happened. • Eric feels guilty about what he has done to Eva SmithOR Eric is unconcerned about what he has done to Eva Smith. • Eric is furious at his parents and their behaviour towards Eva SmithOR Eric understands why his parents did what they did.

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley Throughout this play we have met three main male characters – each one of them have had dealings with Eva Smith and have played a part in her death. Which of the men do you sympathise with the most? Why do you sympathise with this character? What makes you less sympathetic with the other two characters?

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley This play has been ambiguous and complex. We have met many characters and have formed clear opinions about them. What do we think is going to happen at the end of the play? Which characters are going to have been changed by their experiences? What is going to happen to the Inspector? Who is he and what is he trying to prove?

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley JB Priestley wrote this to explore the ideas of the social conscience – he wanted to see whether people would take responsibility for what they did to others. The Inspector was somewhat successful in his mission … although he did not manage to change the whole family, he did manage to alter the views of some of them. Look at the table on the next slide. Your aim is to decide whether you think each character has been changed by their interrogation from the Inspector or whether they remain the same sort of person. Once you have decided whether they have changed or not, you will need to find a relevant quotation from the end of the play to support your opinion.

An Inspector Calls – JB Priestley