AIC

• Theme-responsibility

  Quote: “But these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people.”

  Character: Sheila Birling

  Context: Sheila expresses her growing awareness of social responsibility.

  Stage Direction: “Sheila is a pretty girl in her early twenties, very pleased with life and rather excited.”

  Justification: This quote highlights Sheila’s growing awareness of social responsibility, contrasting with her father’s capitalist views. It underscores the play’s central message about the importance of recognizing and acting upon our responsibilities towards others
• Theme-class

  Quote: “If you don’t come down sharply on some of these people, they’d soon be asking for the earth.”

  Character: Mr. Birling

  Context: Reflects Mr. Birling’s capitalist views and his lack of empathy for the working class.

  Stage Direction: “Arthur Birling is a heavy-looking, rather portentous man in his middle fifties.”

  Justification: Mr. Birling’s statement reflects his belief in maintaining strict class boundaries and his lack of empathy for the working class. This theme is critical as it exposes the social inequalities and the arrogance of the upper class
• Theme-generational conflict

  Quote: “Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages? We try for the highest possible prices.”

  Character: Eric Birling

  Context: Eric challenges his father’s views, highlighting the generational divide.

  Stage Direction: “Eric is in his early twenties, not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive.”

  
  

  Justification: Eric’s challenge to his father’s views highlights the generational divide within the family. The younger characters, like Eric and Sheila, are more open to change and social justice, contrasting with the older generation’s rigid views
• Theme-gender

  Quote: “And you think young women ought to be protected against unpleasant and disturbing things?”

  Character: Inspector Goole

  Context: The Inspector questions the gender norms.

  Stage Direction: “The lighting should be pink and intimate until the Inspector arrives, and then it should be brighter and harder.”

  Justification: The Inspector’s question challenges the traditional gender roles and the notion that women need to be shielded from harsh realities. This theme is significant as it critiques the patronizing attitudes towards women prevalent at the time
• Theme-hypocrisy 


  Quote: “I was Lord Mayor here two years ago when Royalty visited us. And I’ve always been regarded as a sound useful party man.”

  Character: Mr. Birling

  Context: Mr. Birling boasts about his status, revealing his hypocritical nature.

  Stage Direction: “The dining room of a fairly large suburban house, belonging to a prosperous manufacturer.”

  Link: The setting reflects the Birlings’ wealth and social status, contrasting with their moral shortcomings.
• Theme-social responsibility 


  Quote: “A man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own.”

  Character: Mr. Birling

  Context: Mr. Birling’s speech reflects his individualistic and capitalist mindset.

  Stage Direction: “The general effect is substantial and heavily comfortable, but not cosy and homelike.”

  Link: The setting reflects the Birlings’ focus on material wealth over social responsibility.
• Theme-power and influence


  Quote: “I speak as a hard-headed business man.”

  Character: Mr. Birling

  Context: Mr. Birling emphasizes his authority and business acumen.

  Stage Direction: “The lighting should be pink and intimate until the Inspector arrives, and then it should be brighter and harder.”

  Link: The change in lighting symbolizes the shift in power dynamics with the Inspector’s arrival.
• Theme-guilt and innocence


  Quote: “I can’t accept any responsibility.”

  Character: Mr. Birling

  Context: Mr. Birling denies any responsibility for Eva Smith’s fate.

  Stage Direction: “The Inspector need not be a big man but he creates at once an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness.”

  Link: The Inspector’s presence challenges the characters’ sense of innocence.
• Theme-truth and lies

  Quote: “I don’t play golf.”

  Character: Inspector Goole

  Context: The Inspector subtly reveals that he is not part of the Birlings’ social circle, emphasizing his role as an outsider seeking truth.

  Stage Direction: “The Inspector… speaks carefully, weightily, and has a disconcerting habit of looking hard at the person he addresses before actually speaking.”

  Link: His mannerisms suggest a relentless pursuit of truth.
• Theme-family

  Quote: “You’re squiffy.”

  Character: Sheila Birling

  Context: Sheila teases Eric, highlighting the sibling dynamics and underlying tensions within the family.

  Stage Direction: “Eric suddenly guffaws.”

  Justification: Sheila’s teasing of Eric highlights the sibling dynamics and underlying tensions within the family. This theme is important as it explores the complexities of family relationships and the impact of external events on these bonds.
• What event occurred in September 1910 involving Eva Smith?


  Eva is sacked by 'Birling & Co.'
• Who was responsible for Eva's dismissal from Milwards in late January 1911?

  Sheila Birling
• What name does Eva adopt when she becomes Gerald's mistress?

  Daisy Renton
• When does Gerald end his affair with Eva?

  Early September 1911
• What significant event happens to Eva in December 1911/January 1912?

  Eva discovers that she is pregnant
• Who turns down Eva's request for charitable help in late March 1912?

  Mrs. Birling
• What tragic event occurs in early April 1912?

  Eva commits suicide
• What were Priestley's intentions in writing the play?

  • Warn people to learn from past mistakes
  • Set in 1912, before WW1
  • Written in 1945, post-WW2
  • Use dramatic irony to ridicule capitalist views
  • Promote socialist ideals and social responsibility

  
• What is the setting of the play?

  The play is set in the fictional northern town of Brumley, based on Bradford.
• What does capitalism emphasize according to the study material?

  Capitalism emphasizes that people should only look after themselves and accumulate wealth.
• What is socialism as described in the study material?


  Socialism is the belief that society has a duty to look after each other, especially the poor.
• What was the working condition in England in 1912 regarding welfare and wages?

  There was no welfare system, no minimum wage, and workers had few rights.
• How were women viewed in society in 1912?

  Women were considered socially inferior, vulnerable, and had no right to vote.
• What percentage of wealth did the upper 5% of the population hold in 1912?

  87% of all the wealth in the country belonged to only 5% of the population.
• Who was John Boynton Priestley?

  He was a writer born into a working-class family in 1894.
• What significant experiences did Priestley have during World War I?


  He joined the infantry and was seriously wounded during the war.
• How did society change from 1912 to 1945 according to the study material?


  • Class distinctions reduced due to two world wars
  • Women gained the right to vote and a more valued place in society
  • Socialism grew in popularity leading to the welfare state

  
• What are the key events in Act 1 of the play?

  • The Birling family celebrates Sheila and Gerald's engagement.
  • Mr. Birling gives a speech about business and economy.
  • Inspector interrupts with news of Eva Smith's suicide.
  • Inspector questions Mr. Birling about his treatment of Eva.

  
• What are the key points from Act 1, Part 2 of the play?

  • Sheila feels guilty for Eva's death.
  • Gerald reveals he knew Eva as Daisy Renton.
  • The Inspector provides background on Eva's life.
  • Sheila admits her role in Eva's sacking.

  
• What does Mr. Birling believe about the future?

  He believes there will not be a war and that the miners' strike will end soon.
• How does the Inspector's arrival affect the mood of the play?

  The Inspector's arrival interrupts the celebratory mood and introduces tension.
• What is the significance of the Inspector's character in the play?

  The Inspector represents social responsibility and challenges the characters' beliefs.
• What are the key quotations from Arthur Birling in the play?

  • "It’s one of the happiest nights of my life."
  • "It’s my duty to keep labour costs down."
  • "I say there isn’t a chance of war."
  • "community and all that nonsense."
• What are the key quotations from the Inspector in the play?

  • "I’d like some information, if you don’t mind."
  • "It’s better to ask for the world than to take it."
• What are the key events in Act 2 of the play?

  • Mrs. Birling admits she knew Eva.
  • Eric is revealed as the father of Eva's unborn child.
  • The Inspector delivers a monologue on social justice.

  
• What are the key events in Act 3 of the play?

  • Eric confesses to getting Eva pregnant.
  • The family refuses to accept responsibility for Eva's death.
  • The Inspector's message on social justice is emphasized.

  
• What does the phone call at the end of the play signify?

  A police inspector is on his way to talk to them about a suicide.
• What is the initial description of Eva Smith in the play?

  Both young and pretty.
• What does the Inspector reveal about the case involving Mr. Birling?

  The case involves more than just Mr. Birling.
• What background details does the Inspector provide about Eva Smith?


  He gives some background details to Eva Smith’s life and her situation.