Aic

• cyclical structure


  Starts with a ring (doorbell) from an inspector and ends in a ring (phone) from an inspector

  metaphor for how society is a structural cycle and how rich families get richer whilst poor families get poorer.

  Could also link to political beliefs being cycled round through generations
• political diatribe


  An angry speech or piece of writing that severely criticises something or someone
• symptomatic


  Sign or characteristic
• Red Scare


  fear that communists were working to destroy the American way of life in the 1910s and 1940s before it became a mass hysteria in USA in the 50s
• Ploletariat


  working class
• Ouspensky's theory of time


  - groundhog day style time loop

  - keep reliving loop until they succeed and can break loop

  - ie we keep repeating our mistakes until we learn: at end of play, older Birlings & Gerald have still not changed and now must undergo another investigation

  - 2WW's happened, and now the Cold War is getting underway
• main purpose


  Priestley hoped to highlight the moral corruption in the Edwardian era

  Sought to expose capitalism and the patriarchy

  Promote socialism
• The general effect is substantial and comfortable and old fashioned but not cozy and homelike


  Represents the Birlings

  Trying too hard to look perfect
• There is only one set


  This shows that the Birlings don't or are unable to look out of their social circle
• (not quite at ease, half shy half assertive)

  Eric - feels uncomfortable, awkward, only loud about things he's passionate about, quite secretive, lacks confidence
• Sheila calls Mrs Birling mummy

  Very childlike and highlights the infantilisation of women
• what an expression Sheila, really the things you girls pick up these days'

  Mrs. Birling's response to 'you're squiffy' ignoring what Sheila is saying, only concerned about their social appearance
• Alderman Meggarty


  He is molesting Daisy Renton when Gerald arrives

  SA is still seen as bad but it's still not taken seriously as he is still an alderman

  Men still have power, even though they're predators
• "Now, Sheila, I'm not defending him. But you must understand that a lot of young men- "


  • Mr Birling exploits Sheila for status and financial wealth by maintaining the patriarchy. He corruptly attempts to make her accept the status quo when hearing of Gerald's infidelity in order to achieve status and wealth by marrying Gerald

  • He tells her to be more loyal to influential men of upper class

  • Prostitution, which is usually women, is seen as disgusting, but for men it's normal
• "I've never known an eva smith", "Neither have I"

  Gerald, Eric

  Have never known a proletariat or what it's truly like being working class
• everyone is connected


  We cannot divide society into different groups & classes who will have no impact on each other & have a system of social separation & class apartheid

  We all have responsibility over each other
• Gerald


  Is a complex character who is a conceit of the average person

  He can't be respected as a socialist, or known as a money- orientated capitalist

  He and his personality is fluid & depends on certain situations, which is the case for most people
• Inspector Goole


  - The police inspector who turns up to question the Birlings and Gerald. Seems almost omniscient (all-knowing) and does not care for the social class of the Birlings. Could be described as Priestley's mouthpiece who supports his socialist views.
• Prose


  the ordinary form of written language

  Priestley uses this to make the audience form genuine opinions on each character
• "All right. I knew her. Let's leave it at that."


  This abrupt line of dialogue shows how initially Gerald is very evasive about his involvement with Eva Smith and wants to close down the topic as soon as possible.
• dough faces' 'hard eyes'

  Shows Gerald's superficial & misogynistic views on women
• Young man about town

  Gerald is described as young although he's around thirty

  Shows his childishness

  Double standards & juxtaposes Sheila - she is treated as a child although she's in her 20s
• Generational bridge


  Gerald is a mix between the youth and the older birlings

  Could be seen as he doesn't fit in, especially since he's tho only one at the party who isn't a Birling
• "All right, I'm sorry"

  Gerald to Sheila in act 2

  Genuinely is sorry and feels remorse

  Can actually apologise

  Needs help from others, however
• I suppose I ought, really. I'm sorry, Sheila

  Gerald in act 2

  Feels genuine remorse
• When you've a daughter of your own

  Mr Birling

  Has a patriarchal expectation that men should marry a woman and women should marry a man and that they ought to start a family
• "feels you might have done better for yourself socially"


  Birling, Act 1:

  - Gerald's parents not here because Gerald is marrying beneath his class with Sheila

  - Priestley commenting on the fact that there are classes within the upper class

  - The marriage is superficial and only exists for more power & money
• Gerald is a victim to his society & the patriarchy & capitalist ideologies that are forced upon him


  He's forced to marry Sheila

  Feels remorse in act 2

  Retreats into his capitalist ways in the end & stays ignorant

  Forced to continue the patriarchal expectation

  Shows that there's no escape from the aristocracy and the strong divide between the classes

  If he became socialist, he would be ostracised

  Priestley had his radio channel taken off air and fired from the BBC in 1941 because he was too controversial (socialist)
• If men will not learn that lesson they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish

  The Inspector is referring to his message of taking responsibility for each other in society

  Priestley builds to a climax in a list by repeatedly using 'and' (polysyndeton) and his word choice is extremely powerful.

  'Fire' and 'blood' and 'anguish' are all words with connotations of war and death and eternal punishment

  Priestley is reminding the audience that if we carry on living selfishly there will be prolonged consequences of war (world war 1 broke out just after Priestley set this play) and the death of millions.

  Priestley is emphasising the vitality of social responsibility.

  Semantic field of hell - Edwardian society was highly religious
• He certainly didn't make me confess


  Mrs Birling - Act 3

  'Confess' has connotations to crime - she is implicitly ridding herself of responsibility and wants to uphold her pristine public facade

  Imperative verb 'make' shows how she is of a higher class and is trying to reassert the power of her social superiority over the inspector
• How do the older gen and Gerald view responsibility? (And capitalists)

  Accepting responsibility = loss of power
• But these girls aren't cheap labour - they're people


  Sheila

  Girls connotes to innocence which exacerbates the dehumanising exploitation of young girls

  Cheap labour shows how capitalists view people in terms of money and status
• We are members of one body.'


  Closing societal gap

  Post war audience would be more impressionable to the metaphorical image and want to work as "one body"
• Arthur Birling at one end, his wife at the other

  Birling, is at the head of the table, and therefore household, reflecting his self-importance

  Physical distance between the couple reflects their relationship

  Mrs Birling is just his wife, showing women were seen as second-class citizens and extensions of men. Women were unable to vote with the play was set.
• If men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish

  Polysyndeton shows there are prolonged consequences to actions - drawn out effect and eternal punishment.

  Semantic field of hell shows eternal, prolonged punishment is imminent. Edwardian society was highly religious.
• In a state where a chap easily turns nasty


  Eric is trying to justify his actions

  Men don't get repercussions for their actions whereas Women have to suffer

  the gender inequality enforced by the patriarchal Edwardian society is portrayed to be damaging and injust
• microcosm


  A miniature world; something that resembles something else on a very small scale
• rapacious


  greedy
• imperious


  (adj.) overbearing, arrogant; seeking to dominate; pressing, compelling
• Inspector's purpose


  Mouthpiece for Priestley's socialist agenda

  Catalyst for revolutionising the younger, more malleable generation

  Device to shine light on the Birling's avarice and ignorance