1. Date: 27th March 2014
Title: Act Two – Analysis
LO: To explore the build-up of tension in Act Two
Starter: Eva Smith is dead. So far, four characters have been accused
of responsibility.
Who do you feel is most responsible (complete one sentence)?
Mr Birling might be responsible because…
Sheila might be responsible because…
Gerald might be responsible because…
Mrs Birling might be responsible because…

2. Plot the build-up of tension in Act Two on
the axes below to make a line graph.
1) Sheila and Gerald argue 6) Sheila returns Gerald’s ring
2) Mrs Birling enters 7) Mrs Birling is shown the photo
3) Eric’s drinking is revealed 8) Mrs Birling explains how she met Eva
4) Mr Birling enters 9) Mrs Birling blames the father
5) Gerald explains how he met Daisy 10) Mrs Birling realizes the truth
1
0
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

3. How does Priestly demonstrate tension between
characters?
Sheila and Gerald
Mrs Birling & The
Inspector

4. Match the quotation to the source of tension…
Mrs Birling’s general speech
and behaviour
The tone of character’s
speech
Sheila and Gerald’s
relationship
The use of interruption
Stage directions including
gestures, looks and sounds
Mrs Birling: I’m talking to the Inspector
now, if you don’t mind.
Sheila (to Gerald): You and I aren’t the
same people who sat down to dinner here.
We’d have to start all over again, getting
to know each other…
Inspector holds up a hand. We hear the
front door. They wait, looking towards door.
Eric enters, looking extremely pale and
distressed. He meets their inquiring stares.
Sheila to Gerald: (bitterly) So that’s
what you think I’m really like.
Gerald: (cutting, rather impatiently) Mrs
Birling, the Inspector knows all that. And
I don’t think it’s a very good idea to
remind him -

5. Why does Priestly build tension in
Act Two?
POINT: Throughout Act Two, the tension between
characters builds up dramatically.
One way Priestly demonstrates the build-up of tension is…
EVIDENCE: Refer to what happens in Act Two, using
quotations from the play to support your answer.
ANALYSIS: How does your evidence demonstrate tension?
LINK: Refer back to the question. Why does Priestly build
tension? What is the effect on the audience?

6. Review
Above your first completed paragraph, identify where
you have:
- Made your point (P)
- Given evidence or a quotation(E)
- Analysed the evidence (A)
- Linked your paragraph back to the question (L)
Use the remaining time to develop one area you have
identified as requiring more detail.

7. Plot the build-up of tension in Act Two on
the axes below to make a line graph.
1) Sheila and Gerald argue 6) Sheila returns Gerald’s ring
2) Mrs Birling enters 7) Mrs Birling is shown the photo
3) Eric’s drinking is revealed 8) Mrs Birling explains how she met Eva
4) Mr Birling enters 9) Mrs Birling blames the father
5) Gerald explains how he met Daisy 10) Mrs Birling realizes the truth
1
0
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

8. Match the quotation to the source of tension…
Mrs Birling’s general speech
and behaviour
The tone of character’s
speech
Sheila and Gerald’s
relationship
The use of interruption
Stage directions including
gestures, looks and sounds
Mrs Birling: I’m talking to the Inspector
now, if you don’t mind.
Sheila (to Gerald): You and I aren’t the
same people who sat down to dinner here.
We’d have to start all over again, getting
to know each other…
Inspector holds up a hand. We hear the
front door. They wait, looking towards door.
Eric enters, looking extremely pale and
distressed. He meets their inquiring stares.
Sheila to Gerald: (bitterly) So that’s
what you think I’m really like.
Gerald: (cutting, rather impatiently) Mrs
Birling, the Inspector knows all that. And
I don’t think it’s a very good idea to
remind him -