An inspector Calls

• I don't come into this suicide business"" - GERALD: ALC" - Dramatic irony. The intended purpose is to foreshadow to the audience that each character has personal contribution.- Gerald is in denial of his actions unravels his hidden ignorant nature.- Language at the start of the play is adherent (supportive) of Mr Birling ("You couldn't have done anything else").- His language is disrespectful of the situation and could perhaps indicate his vast animosity towards the lower class.
• "I went down into the bar for a drink. It's a favourite haunt of women of the town." - GERALD :  AIC - Uses euphemism in "haunt of women"  to mask true intentions - "women of the town" = prostitutes. Gerald's intention for being at "the bar for a drink" wasn't aas it seems. His motives are sexually driven (displaying role of lust as one of the seven deadly sins)- pause (punctuation) suggests he contemplated the consequence of telling another lie.
• "She was young and pretty and warm-hearted - and intensely grateful.": GERALD : ALC "young" and "pretty" shows the male gaze- Values semblance, prioritizing (appearance before emotions)- Gerald is a dramatic device for Edwardian men during 1912 who only treasure outermost appearance of women and their dispositions.
• "(DAISY) gave me a glance that was nothing less than a cry for help" - GERALD : AIC - Seems to actually cared about Eva/Daisy - Viewed himself as heroric when saving her from Meggarty (saviour complex)- Noun "cry" is symbolic of distress and highlights Eva's vulnerability.- Noun "help" reinforces susceptibility of Daisy.- Gerald sees himself as nothing less than a hero and had caring attitude to those destitute and in need.Priestley could have done this to demonstrate how vulnerable and needy the proletarians were during the Edwardian Era but also using Gerald as a dramatic device to elucidate how bourgeoise Edwardian men exploited the working class women who would desperately typically cling onto them due to their financial support.
• "I became at once the most important person in her life" - GERALD : AIC - Accentuates that there is definitely a extensive hidden agenda to Gerald helping Eva.- One could say Gerald only aided Eva because he saw a despairing and penurious (needy, poverty-sticken) woman who would most likely cling on to him for support. This is what Gerald wanted, a woman to assert his dominance & power on.These are quitessential, typical traits of an Edwardian male in the patriarchal society at that time."the most" = superlative- The fact that Gerald became the most important person in Eva's life represents how Eva did not really have many people in her life to begin with & this could constitute to how the proletariat in 1912 didn't have much support and aid.
• "Everything's alright now Sheila" - GERALD : ALC - Gerald thinks that simply because the inspector was a "hoax", he can revolve back to acting how he was before.- Structure of Gerald's attitude and process of reformation through the play is critical.- After claiming that he needs to "Walk About for a while" the audience may believe that Gerald has used this time contemplate on his actions toward Eva, but instead of this, he decides to find out if the inspector was real and is the one who proposed the idea of the inspector being an "hoax".This encapulates how he doesn't want to admit he's in the wrong & would rather disprove the whole thing. - Following the structure of Freytag's Dramatic Arc, each character has its own individual climax, Gerald's falling action, is perhaps the most prominent with the moment of final suspense and doubt at if he is going to accept his actions for responsiblity and side with "the famous younger generation" or stick to the capatalist sentiments of his new business partner.- Like Mr Birling, Gerald wants everything to turn back to normal and return to being "the son in law" Mr Birling always wanted and to overlook the fact his affair. He does this through offering Sheila back the ring, however she declines. For Sheila to accept him, he needs to be not the "son in law" her father always wanted and adapt his attitude and responsibilities to see that the way he acted, whilst was possibly the best out of all characters, was still not acceptable. Nonetheless, he does not accept his morale responsiblities, which he will eventually learn in "fire and blood aand anguish"
• " A rather cold looking woman in her fifties" - SYBIL BIRLING : AIC "cold" forshadows the later events of her dismissal towards Eva and her inhumane treatment."fifty" symbolises the notion that the older generation is narrow-minded and reluctant to change.Context: - This is an oxymoron as contemporary women were meant to conform to the expectations of their gender of being sensitive, submissive and loving - instead she's "cold".- lacking affection and warmth - reflects her class, exposes how emblematic of the bourgeoisie.
• "Her Husbands social superior" (stage directions) - SYBIL BIRLING : AIC - Mrs Birling represents a feeling of pride, one of the deadly sins outlined in the bible.- Her obsession with social class introduced and this is utilised to ignore reality.- Not introduced by her name which begins to introduce theme of gender inequality.Her impact on society limited as a result of her gender (why she owns a charity instead of company like her husband)- Noun "superior" modifies her position which highlights growing gap capitalism haas created.
• "Girls of that class" - SYBIL BIRLING : AIC - Sybil is seen to place her social and moral values above Eva's as she suggests an immorality around girls of a lower class.She also catergories a whole social class. This enlightens the audience and exposes her ignorance and deficiently of empathy.- Classist sterotypes and prejudiceContext:- Morally Eva is condemned and excluded from the charitable support on offer. The lack of welfare safety net leaves Eva a vulnerable character outside of a family unit and pregnant.Her vulnerability and lack of influence allows her to recieve no charitable support due to Mrs Birling high social status.Those with power had miniature, miniscule, or no care and compassion for the improverished and powerless.
• "She had only herself to blame" (Act 2) - SYBIL BIRLING : AIC - Resembles moral and social corruption in her strong capatalist views, Priestley adheres to the corruption in Mrs Birlings belief and therefore capatalist thinking.Context:The morality play was a popular play in the 15th and 16th century in which each character represents a vice or virtue for moral qualities, in the play we see Priestley adhering to these ideas as Mrs Birling is an allegorical reference to the qualities of wrath and pride.
• "I blame the father of the child" (Act 2) - SYBIL BIRLING : AIC - Deflecting blame on someone else highlights ignorance."I won't believe it"- dismissive- unveils her individualistic ideaologies and also exposes she wouldnt have said that, if she had know Eric was the father.- had upper class reputation to uphold and fearful of a "scandal" - doesn't want to tarnish her valuable reputation.
• "I beg your pardon" (Said to Inspector) - SYBIL BIRLING : AIC - Appalled someone of a loser class is accusing her and asserting power over her.- Becoming defensive now she's losing power - alludes to class division (1912) which resulted in social hierachy where Sybil feels more dominant.- Reveals her demand for respect.
• "No ---Eric ---please ---I didnt know --- i didn't understanding-" (After Eric's accusatory speech) - SYBIL BIRLING : AIC - Imploring word "please" and litany of breathless dashes seems like her reaction is possibly distress and borne from guilt (audience perspective)- Later she exhibits no remorse ("I did my duty"). It's now clear, her initial distress was from fear and panic that may hsve done something to tarnish her and her family's reputation.- illustrates what a breathtakingly vain individual she is.
• "Eric downstage" - ERIC BIRLING : AIC - Rest of family is seated up which suggests Eric is detached by rest of family and also alternatively insinuates the imperceptible (unnoticeable) level of power Eric has.- Eric is inferior to hierarchy in family (not respected)- Eric is the last character that Priestley describes and this mirrors how he is percieved as insignificant and the rest of his family dominate him.- Outcast in own family, manifest his social alienation within capitalist/bourgeoisie society.
• "Not at ease, half-shy, half-assertive" (Stage directions) - ERIC BIRLING : AIC - Opposite characteristics- suggests he's a complicated character.- asyndetic listing creates sense that's he's overwhelming and overbearing (alludes to self-righteous superiority that bourgeoisie lifestyle has instilled in him)- adjective "shy" connotes apprehension and nervousness juxtaposes implications of dominance and confidence with adjective "assertive"- hasn't fully accepted his personality therefore "half"- represents how Eric feels abandoned within his affluent upbringing as his parents failed to value him.Priestley is subtly criticising how bourgeoisie parents value climbing the social stratum over the emotional well-being of their children.This corresponds with the capatalist regime and he compels the audience to value socialism.- "half-shy, half-assertive" - leads to confused audience as they don't know what type of character he is.
• "Why shouldn't they try for higher wages?" - ERIC BIRLING : AIC - Rhetorical Question- sticking up for the working class very early on in the play which depicts his potential to change and become a socialist.- Challenges own father.This creates tension to show relationship their isn't "the best".- Forshadows that Eric becomes a socialist.- seen as echo of voice and morals of Priestley- "they" suggests he still distances himself from the lower class.- Values her labour because "she was a good worker"- Resonates with the modern and post war audience and also fundamental as it reflects idea that Eric is gradually rejecting the capitalist ideology.- Eric is growing in assertiveness and his conciousness has awoken as he's being enlightened to corruptness of hypocritical capitalist society.- audience may feel more respect for Eric as he's the only member to try to stick up for the proletariat.
• "The fact remains that i did what I did what I did" - ERIC BIRLING : AIC - Understands he can't change the past but he can improve the future. The repetition of "did" evokes Priestley can accept people can't change past actions, whereas actions they "did" will allow them to reflect and change their moral viewpoint.- Inspector acts as fatherly figure that Mr Birling wasn't and guides him and is his moral obligations- Eric elucidates there's a chance of hope and redemption for everyone.- Eric and Sheila = secondary mouthpiece of Priestley.- Challenges audience to reflect on their past actions and how they can improve in the future.
• "that's when it happened. I don't even remember - that's the hellish thing." - ERIC BIRLING : AIC - Eric's speech here consists of short, simple sentences which suggests that Eric sees his actions as outrageous. The sentences seem incomplete and cut-short as though speaking of it revolts him. - Moreover, the multiple embedded clause here created a jagged and staccato pace to his speech, as if he is stuttering uncontrollably.- "hellish" gives religious connotations.- realised he's done something so deplorable, now regrettably believes he's destined for hell.- reinforces to audience that he is disgraced by his actions.- "I don't even remember" - due to the fact his recollection was affected by drinking or can't bring himself to tell his parents because he's ashamed, remorseful and regretful.- "it" euphemism to describe sexual assult rather than articulating his actions.
• "She was pretty and a good sport" - ERIC BIRLING : AIC - "pretty" exacerbates his desire for beautiful features and that they are put above all (even social class).- Audience questions Eric's moral judgement due to his actions and depiction of Eva.- patronising of the lower class.- Noun "sport" connotes a hobby or something you do to pass time. This is insulting to Eva to relate what he did to her as that.This exempilfies that Eric felt how he used her was condoned and makes it seem as though she's just a hobby (almost objectifying)
• "Portentous" & "Provincial" - ARTHUR BIRLING : AIC - Portentous is an adjective which makes him appear very serious and significant especially with regard to future events.- Provincial means to be narrow-minded which forshadows his inability to change his minset and beliefs.- Has an inferiority complex due to his modest backgrounds and is thus engaged in a constant struggle to compensate for this by striving to be important or as equal to those in the town richer than him or of him orginally a higher social lineage than him.
• "Hard headed" - ARTHUR BIRLING : AIC - Adjective "hard" implies he won't change.- trying to add credibility to his inspirations- refers to himself as hard-headed twice. The repetitions shows Mr Birling's self, narcissistic perception is entirely built upon how he views himself in terms of work and money.
• "lower costs, higher prices" - ARTHUR BIRLING : AIC - Capitalism as exploitation and monopoly- Punctuation over-emphasises the disparity between the classes.- Priestley's message is that the endgame of capitalism is to make as much money as possible.- Mr birling devoid of such sentimentality instead uses words like "costs" and "prices", which are more appropriate for a board meeting rather than a celebratory family get together. This ties in with his general way of looking at things through the prism of money and numbers including his indifference to the human suffering of his workers and instead focusing on the profits they can generate him.
• "Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable!" - ARTHUR BIRLING : AIC - Exclamatory sentence- Dramatic irony. The constant dramatic irony in the play suggest he is imprudent (foolish) character who doesn't know what he's talking about.- Mr Birling cannot be seen to be some source of wisdom and guidance- Mr Birling is used to represent bourgeoisie people. Him thinking titanic is unsinkable when the audience knows otherwise is exemplified as being injudicious (foolish) and almost moronic (stupid).- Repetition of "unsinkable" further exaggerates how clueless he is- Also repetition also shows his arrogance and confidence/egoistic attitude - Use of verb "abosulutely" establishes his arrogance and emphasiss his confidence.- Iceberg that caused Titanic to sink is same as inspector who caused Birlings to sink.- Titanic could represent all weathy families as the Birling Family are a microcosm. Do they see themselves as unsinkable?- Titanic sank in 1912 so 1945 audience would disvalue Mr Birlings ideology and perception and regard it as nonsense.
• "All mixed together like bees in a hive" - ARTHUR BIRLING : AIC -  Illustrates Arthur as pompous, egocentric, and egomanical.- The simile unveils Mr Birling thinks socialists are like brainless animals.- Uses simile to convey his dismissal of ideologies surrounding community and social responsibility.- Simile acts as a form of belittlement as if he finds concept of socialism comical. This encapulates ignorance.- Simile refers to bees that are workers except the queen bees.Without Capitalism, there woould be no hierarchy for Birling to abuse.- a "hive" is a enclosed space which means there nowhere to hide from responsibilities.- Verb phrase "mixed up" reveals he believes that classes shouldn't mix.This is ironic because his wife was of higher social status than him.- Equating the mindset of socialists to that of insects which suggests it to be intellectually regressive and dehumanising.
• "She had a lot to say - far too much - so she had to go" (referring to Eva Smith) - ARTHUR BIRLING : AIC - Language starts to break down when inspector arrives.- Shorter sentences with more hesitation and caesuras, as the inspector may carry an onimous, menacing presense.- Starts to lose control/power- not as powerful as he though he was.- Starts to speak in short and fragmented sentences- Language becomes more colloquial at this point in the play and uses phrases like "y'know"- Lack of sympathy and regret.
• "I can't accept any responsiblity" - ARTHUR BIRLING : AIC - Assertive language- dismissive and injudicious character- Has narrow-minded simplistic understanding of Eva's death- Morally inferior to his children- Representative of the bourgeoisie who exploit but take no responsibility for the harm they cause.
• "There'll be a public scandal" - ARTHUR BIRLING : AIC - Only cares about his image/status- Said multiple times- puts social class over morals- concerned about the possible damage to his reputation and rather than lamenting (grieving) about the sad fate of Eva he is thinking of himself.
• (We hear a sharp doorbell ring) - INSPECTOR GOOLE : AIC - Mr Birling was in the middle of a speech sharing his pompous perspectives and his capitalist ideologies and interrupted by the inspector (socialism). Forshadows the Birlings (a capitalist family) will be allowing socialism to enter their home how Priestley wanted to let socialism into post-war.- This forces the audience to make a connection between the Inspector's arrival and Birling's Capitalist viewpoints that promotes self-interest and believes that community is "nonsense"- used to increase the tension and as abrupt prelude to the Inspector's arrival.- "sharp" compounds the contrast between the two ideologies: socialism and capitalism.- Signals the arrival of the character who has the power to interrupt Mr Birling and to challenge his arrogant assumptions.- The door bell is described as "sharp" which suggests that the birlings need a "sharp" awakening.
• "Pink and intimate" to "bright and harder" - INSPECTOR GOOLE : AIC - Looking through rose tinted glasses- The pink, intimate lighting creates a sense of warmth and happiness- juxtaposition- Inspector = foil to the Birlings- "harder" means solid, firm and rigid; not easily broken with a great deal of effort.- The inspector won't be intimidated or manipulated by the Birlings social position- Change in lighting is revealing the Birlings guilt to the audience and themeselves.
• "An impression of massiveness, solidarity and purposefulness" - INSPECTOR GOOLE : AIC - semantic/lexical field of size showing the Inspector's sheer importance and power, shift in power from Mr Birling.- important structure, words appear long visually and verbally heightening the idea the Inspector's power which only words bring down the family- Three solid adjectives convey impenetrable objects will metaphorically sink the family, used to describe the Inspector's presense, demonstrates the disruption of natural hierarchy of the house.
• "One lie of enquiry at a time" - INSPECTOR GOOLE : AIC - Inspector Goole controls the pace and structure of the play by interviewing one person at a time.- He is a dramatic device used by Priestley to expose the "crimes" of the Birlings and the Crofts in a methodical, ruthlessly efficient manner- commanding language conveys authority- Utilizes Freytag's dramatic arc to evaluate "one person" at aany time and through this allows the person to solely reflect in their actions alone.
• "We are members of one body" - INSPECTOR GOOLE : AIC - Priestley utlizes Goole as the antithesis of Mr Birling; his socialistic views promote compassion for people of all backgrounds, drastically juxtaposing Birlings capitalist view than a man "has to look after himself"- Anaphora- Doesn't believe in class division and segregation and this is reinforced by "we"- The collective pronoun "we" reinforces the collective need for responsibility showcasing how the inspector is suggesting the Birlings need to improve on their avariciousness and focus on the developing a collective conscience and therefore responsibility. This is because capitalism promotes selfishness, and through the inspector being Priestley's mouthpiece, he is trying to suggest that societies improvements will derive from diminishing capitalism and promoting collective. - The inspector has a unique point of view as he sees everyone as one unit and sees that everyone's united in one way or another.
• "burnt her inside out" - INSPECTOR GOOLE : AIC - Priestley's use of graphic laanguage and violent verb "burnt" evokes an emotional response with the post waar audience of 1945 and the 21st century audience alike.- Language persuades the audience to feel immense sympathy not only for Eva Smith but also for all of the working class - Eva Smith's suffering and suicide is used as a metaphor to highlight the continuous struggled faced by the working class.- Gory imagery alternately makes the audience feel profoundly guilty for they may realise how ignorant they have been to ignore the struggles of the working class and persuade them to change by being more empathetic.
• "we have to share our guilt" - INSPECTOR GOOLE : AIC - Personal pronoun "we" to give society a sense of unity.- Implies everyone must do the same and follow the Inspector's teachings.- Use of the imperative verb "have to" - persuades the audience to take responsibility for their actions towards other members of society in order for society to progress- Use of the verb "share" could futher reflect.Priestley's socialist ideologies that wealth should be more even distributed within society, instead of the richer upper and middle classes being avaricious - Priestley wants the middle and upper classes to transform from abusing their power to dominate and exploit the working class to instead being more responsible for their actions and treating people more sympathetically.
• "Fire, blood and anguish" - INSPECTOR GOOLE : AIC - Rule of three. This acts as metaphor for the 2 world wars.- The entire play is used as a motif for the wars; if society proceed to not improve the way in which members of society treat each other.The world wars will repeat continuously in a endless cycle until we learn.- Written and first performed at the end of the Second World War, therefore the contemporary audience will have experienced the perpetual suffering that come with them. This will persuade all audiences to change their actions and embrace socialist ideologies of caring for other members of society which is what Priestley intended to do.- Also refers to biblical hell (religious) - eternal reference- Two world wars = parallel of the death of Eva at the start and end of the play- Reference to battlefields of World War One- Alternatively, the Inspector could be referring to the fires and the pain of hell where the Birlings will be punished in an after-life for thier sins in this world.
• ARTHUR BIRLING (phrases and words to describe this character) - Hubristic (excessive pride)- Has a Laissez-faire attitude- Arrogant- Self-centered- Has an Egoistic understanding of the world- Power Lust- Selfish- Has Exploritative tendencies- Nouveau riche (new money, accquired wealth rather than inherited)- A Microcosm for exploitive factory owners.-  Is firmly entrenched within 1912 ante-bellum (meaning before the war) - English social elite- An living embodiment of the capitalist ideology- An epitome of the individualistic nature of capitalism- Utilized by Priestley not only as a method to crtique capitalism, but to reveak the cycle of oppression caaused by social divisions and classism- He attains validation of his superiority in almost an sadistic manner (pleasure in infliciting pain)- In essence, driven by his determination to uphold an appearance of affulence - utimately and inevitably at the expense of his employees, causing the firing of Eva Smith.
• SYBIL BIRLING (phrases and words to describe this character) - From old money- An Allegorical message- an Ignorant capitalist- A representation of physical hindrances to key changes- Represents older conservative non-progressive views- Callous- Condescending- Emblamatic for the hypocrisy of the upper-classes, bourgeoisies- Demonstration of the need for a welfare state.
• INSPECTOR GOOLE (phrases and words to describe this character) - Proxy for Priestley's socialist and moral values/views- Dramatic catalyst to speed up events in the play- Mysterious, omnipotent figure- Omniscient and omnipotent- Socially ambiguous- Assertive and authoritative- Methodical- A spiritual avenging angel- Socialist values and ideology are channelled through the inspector- Priestley utilises the Inspector as a vehicle to cataalyse change in perceptions of responsibility.- Takes on the role of an omniscient (all-knowing), moral force for good.
• ERIC BIRLING (phrases and words to describe this character) - Symbolic of redemption; no matter the atrocities commited in the past, he has the capacity to change and improve.- oblivious and ignorant (at start of the play)- source of optimism- a conflicting character; anyone can change for the better- an emblem of the way forward- an outcast of his family- embodiment of deadly sin lust- a victim of his parents capitalist, conceited nature.- Presented in a sympathetic light through Eric's opposition to Mr. Birling's capitalist and individualistic attitudes
• SHEILA BIRLING (phrases and words to describe this character) - a result of Mr and Mrs Birlings manipulation- conscience of the Birling family/moral compass- symbolic of change of attitude towards women's progression within society- initially presented as a oblivious, immature, giddy and spoilt- sheltered- metaphorically represents sin of envy- develops from an infantilised capitalist into a passionate socialist.