AIC

• AIC


  Could be classified as a morality play as the inspector takes us through the story of Eva Smith's death as well as showing us how each action by all of the Birling and Gerald has had an effect on Eva and her life
• Overall message of AIC


  How we should look out and after one another
• 7 deadly sins


  • Pride
  • Envy- Sheila jealous of Eva
  • Gluttony
  • Lust
  • Anger
  • Greed - Mr birling want more money
  • Sloth
• All of the characters are found to be guilty which reflects society and how each part of society is failing in their individual responsibilities
• Priestley: '"Because what happened to her then may have determined what happened to her afterwards, and what happened to her afterwards may have driven her to suicide. A chain of events."'
• Anadiplosis


  Repetition of 'what happened to her afterwards' as it ends one clause and starts a new one, used intentionally to show how each effect leads into another, just like the death of Eva and how each role the Birlings and Gerald played lead onto one another
• 'Chain of events'


  Creates a metaphorical image where the word 'chain' could symbolise how society is locked up within this link and it seems to weigh down the Birlings
• Setting of AIC


  • All 3 acts take place in the dining room of Birling's house, to show the self-absorbed nature of the Birlings and how they want to disconnect themselves from the outside world because they are of a higher social status
  • Creates a claustrophobic sense with lighting changes giving the feeling of an interrogation room
• AIC


  Has very little subtle signs with an obvious moral and over the top dramatic irony, can feel very pantomime-like, due to everything taking place in one room
• Inspector Goole


  • A very plain, blunt character, we are told of what he doesn't do rather than what he actually does, as he is made to seem less like a person and more like a moral force that solely goes for the Birlings to take responsibility
  • Attacks capitalist views and focuses on the message he brings
• When the Inspector arrives in Act 1

  He interrupts Mr Birling, signalling the clash between the two characters and perhaps foreshadowing opposition to come between them, just like Socialism vs Capitalism
• Dramatic irony in AIC

  Can be over the top and made obvious for the audience by making Mr Birling state it in a perhaps clumsy way, making him look like a fool
• Dramatic irony in AIC

  • "The titanic[...] unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable"
• Dramatic irony in AIC

  The repetition of 'unsinkable' exaggerates Mr Birling's certainty, despite it being wrong, presenting him as unreliable and arrogant, and therefore the values he stands for are wrong as well
• Edna


  A minor character but has an influence in the play, spoken to in a specific way by Mr Birling as he seems harsh and blunt with no attempt at politeness
• Main themes in AIC

  • Social responsibility
  • Age
  • Gender
  • Class
• Why shouldn't they try for higher wages: 'Eric Birling'
• Eric Birling questioning Mr. Birling's refusal to raise wages


  Demonstrates Eric's disagreement with Mr. Birling's decision
• Mr. Birling uses his workers for financial gain and lacks empathy
• I don't know really suddenly I felt I just had to laugh: 'Eric Birling'
• Eric Birling


  • Comes across as an awkward character in the early moments of the play
  • Unsure of himself and his actions
• You killed her and the child she dove had to my child: 'Eric Birling'
• Eric accusing his mother Mrs. Birling of killing Eva and her unborn child


  • Contrasts with his earlier uncertainty and difficulty speaking up
  • Suggests he cared a great deal about Eva
• I was in the state when a chap easily turns nasty: 'Eric Birling'
• State


  Implies Eric was drunk
• Nasty


  Suggests Eric may have forced his way into Eva's room, shouting
• the girl's dead and we all helped to kill her and that's what matters: 'Eric Birling'
• Eric's assertive and accusatory tone


  • Contrasts with earlier blaming his mother entirely
  • Demonstrates he eventually accepts his own role in the tragedy
• Eric had the capacity to change and eventually accept his own responsibility