AN INSPECTOR CALLS ACT 1 EXAM
"The general effect is substantial and heavily comfortable, but not cosy
and homelike" - ANSWER Represents their relationship. Emphasises
two things heaviness and coldness. Mrs Birling is "a rather cold woman".
Mr Birling is "heavy looking". The absence of warmth represents their
feeling of cold superiority.
"The parlour maid is just clearing the table " - ANSWER Emphasis on
"just" makes her seem insignificant. Shows a clear divide in social class
as the Birlings just watch her
"Same port your father gets from him" - ANSWER Shows Arthur's
determination to be accepted by the superior class. Similar to what Eva
Smith does when asking for better wags but she's sacked
"Guffaw" - ANSWER Eric's movements and speeches are sudden and
out of place which could suggest he is masking something. He also is
clearly an alcoholic which his parent disregard because it is a messy
situation. Could be foreshadowing as they avoid the suicide
"You're just the kind of son in law I always wanted. Your father and I
have been friendly rivals in business for some time now" - ANSWER
He puts his potential business opportunity above his own daughters
happiness. The marriage of the two will offer him more social security
within a higher class- just as Eva Smith did
"Is it the one you wanted me to have?" - ANSWER Shows Sheila's
submissive nature. Representative of how women were inferior to their
husbands at the time when the play was set- 1912
"A hard headed business man" - ANSWER Ironic as what he is about
to say will completely undermine him. He believes he understands the
views of the wider world but he is unfair very narrow visioned
"We're in for a time of steadily increasing prosperity","the Germans don't
want war","unsinkable absolutely unsinkable " - ANSWER History
discredits Mr Birling using devastating dramatic irony. The 1945
"The general effect is substantial and heavily comfortable, but not cosy
and homelike" - ANSWER Represents their relationship. Emphasises
two things heaviness and coldness. Mrs Birling is "a rather cold woman".
Mr Birling is "heavy looking". The absence of warmth represents their
feeling of cold superiority.
"The parlour maid is just clearing the table " - ANSWER Emphasis on
"just" makes her seem insignificant. Shows a clear divide in social class
as the Birlings just watch her
"Same port your father gets from him" - ANSWER Shows Arthur's
determination to be accepted by the superior class. Similar to what Eva
Smith does when asking for better wags but she's sacked
"Guffaw" - ANSWER Eric's movements and speeches are sudden and
out of place which could suggest he is masking something. He also is
clearly an alcoholic which his parent disregard because it is a messy
situation. Could be foreshadowing as they avoid the suicide
"You're just the kind of son in law I always wanted. Your father and I
have been friendly rivals in business for some time now" - ANSWER
He puts his potential business opportunity above his own daughters
happiness. The marriage of the two will offer him more social security
within a higher class- just as Eva Smith did
"Is it the one you wanted me to have?" - ANSWER Shows Sheila's
submissive nature. Representative of how women were inferior to their
husbands at the time when the play was set- 1912
"A hard headed business man" - ANSWER Ironic as what he is about
to say will completely undermine him. He believes he understands the
views of the wider world but he is unfair very narrow visioned
"We're in for a time of steadily increasing prosperity","the Germans don't
want war","unsinkable absolutely unsinkable " - ANSWER History
discredits Mr Birling using devastating dramatic irony. The 1945
