A revision powerpoint for An Inspector Calls

1. Context 1945 Context 1912
• Priestley WW2 reporter with a
regular radio programme • English society dominated by class
• WW2 - women had work structure which has old money at
responsibilities, more class the top, followed by new money
integration in the forces and (industrialists) and the poor,
working in England working class at the bottom
• WW2 – Churchhill’s effective • There was no social security for
persuasive speeches that were the working class
broadcast to the nation (‘We will • There was no national health
fight them…’) service
• WW2 – the atomic bomb (‘Fire, • Working people had no rights and
blood and anguish’) no trade unions to support them in
• England needs rebuilding after the the work place
devastation caused by German • Industrialisation was on the
bombing increase and with it came
• Opportunity for social change – capitalism (working for individual
Priestley (a socialist) hopes for a riches and power – profit over
more egalitarian society (ie equal) people)

2. I want to write a play that will persuade people
in 1945 (and hopefully for later generations
too) that a selfish capitalist attitude leads
only to misery and anguish and that the
future of England depends on a society in
which people take responsibility for each
other. We have an opportunity for change now
that the war is over and we must use it to
make positive change.
How can I
get my
message
across?

3. In the red corner: The
Voice for social
responsibility
Strong, powerful,
honest, persuasive
Where can I create
my boxing ring?
In the blue corner: The Voice
of selfish capitalism Who will be my
voices?
Vain, selfish, narrow-minded,
dishonest, ridiculous

4. Inspector Goole
‘Commanding’
Mr Birling ‘takes control’
A ‘hard-headed man of All seeing/all knowing -
business’ omniscient
‘portentious’ ‘provincial’ ‘We are members of one body. We are
responsible for each other’
‘There isn’t a change of war’
‘Titanic is unsinkable’
‘taught it in fire, blood and anguish’

5. 1912

6. Class Capitalism
Lies
Dining room
Northern
industrial town
Rich business
man and his
family
Celebrating – life Gender
is good (for them)
Responsibility Time

7. • Plot:
Rich (self-made) business man and his family are feeling really
great about their successful lives and are celebrating his
daughter’s engagement in their dining room full of the
trappings of money
A stranger – a commanding man with power and influence
(who better than a Police Inspector) breaks up their
celebration and makes them face the truth of their selfish
attitudes
HOW? A YOUNG GIRL HAS COMMITED SUICIDE – desperate
as she has no job, no money, no family and is pregnant. She is
poor, working-class and represents the society that this family
stamp on in order to have their luxurious lifestyle.
Everyone in the family has played some kind of role in
destroying this innocent girl’s live

8. Techniques Team Red
Inspector Goole – social
responsibility/change
Dramatic techniques: Eva Smith/Daisy Renton – working class
Sheila Birling – youth and desire for
• Entrances and change
Eric Birling – youth and desire for change
exits (timing) Techniques
• Dramatic irony
• Lighting Inspector Goole’s
• The photograph persuasive voice
Team Blue • Emotive language (a
‘horrible’ death’ etc)
Mr Birling – Capitalism/selfishness
Mrs Birling- Old money/snobbery
• Repetition
Gerald Croft- Capitalism/selfishness • Personal address
• Anecdote

9. Act 3
Eric returns Stage directions Act 1
He had forced Eva to have sex Summary:
with him, got her pregnant and Dim pink lighting Birlings celebrating Sheila and
then stolen money from his dad’s Candles Gerald’s engagement. Mr B
business to support her – he is Dining room giving them all a good talking
feeling very guilty and ashamed Heavy, rich-looking too when party broken up by
furniture Inspector arriving(just as Mr B
Eric and Sheila have been hugely is giving his views on
influenced by the Inspector and responsibility)
want them all to face up to their Play ends with the
GIRL HAS DIED
responsibilities. phone ringing and Mr B
Mr B had sacked her – will not
being told that a girl
accept responsibility
Inspector gives ‘fire, blood and has died and an
Sheila – had caused her to be
anguish’ speech and leaves; but inspector is on his way
sacked from next job – she
Mr B, Mrs B and GC will not over
feels very guilty
accept their roles
Act 2
It seems they are all involved
Gerald Croft owns up to having had a relationship with Eva Smith (he knew her as Daisy
Renton) (whilst going out with Sheila) He is very upset about her death. Mrs B had
persuaded her charity not to help the poor and desperate Eva, but does not feel at all guilty
– after all ‘girls of that class’ !
Meanwhile, Eric is getting more drunk and worried all the time – he has to leave the room

10. Appearance Attitude to Responsibility Attitude to Change
Eva Inspector
Inspector
Goole
Mr Birling
Mrs Birling
Sheila
Eric
Gerald
Eva Smith