questions with Correct Answers 100%
Pass with Correct Answers 100% Pass
Name a quote where Mr Birling treats his workers harshly - ✔✔"I went down myself
and told them to clear out"
Name a quote where Sheila's behavior towards Eva Smith was a result of her own
vanity. - ✔✔"If she'd been some miserable plain little creature, I don't suppose I'd have
done it"
How does Priestley create the impression that the Birlings are on trial? - ✔✔The
Inspector is the barrister asking the questions, nd the judge giving his verdict at the end.
The Birlings are the defendants and are made to confess their wrongdoings.
In act 3, Eric says "He was our police inspector all right"
Wat does this show about Eric's understanding of judgement? - ✔✔Eric understands
that judgement goes beyond whether something is against the law or not. The Inspector
has shown that they have committed moral crimes, even if they can't be arrested for
them.
The Inspector leaves well before the end of the play. Why is this important for the
theme of judgement? - ✔✔It gives the characters chance to debate their own
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,responsibility and pass judgement on each other. They show whether they have learned
anything.
How is the Inspector used to explore the theme of judgement in An Inspector Calls? -
✔✔The Inspector acts as a moral critique
Questions morality of characters actions "Well, he inspected us right"
Reveals evidence to audience the leaves, encouraging characters to judge each other
Audience, no real closure at end, have to come to own conclusions about who was to
blame.
The Inspector reveals different ideas about judgement.
Gerald: they're "not criminals" vs Eric: "we all helped to kill her"
Reveals generation divide in play. Eric and Sheila=wider more mature view of social
responsibility.
Inspector passes sentence on Birlings/Gerald. "if men will not learn that lesson, then
they will be taught it"
"men"= society as a whole. Inspector warning that if selfish actions continue, everyone
will suffer.
Echoes Priestley's socialism: people are responsible for each other.
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, Relevant to audience of 1945: lived through world war, understand what "fire and
blood and anguish" was referring to.
In Act three, Mr Birling claims "I've learnt plenty tonight" Give one argument for and
one against this statement - ✔✔For: Mr Birling has found out a lot about the immoral
actions of his family.
Against: He hasn't learnt that it's wrong to treat lower-class people badly.
Sheila arguably learns the most about how her actions can affect other people. Find a
quote from ACT 1, Act 2 and Act 3 to show how her understanding grows. - ✔✔Act 1
"Oh I wish you hadn't told me"
Act 2 "I know I'm to blame-and I'm desperately sorry-"
Act 3 "If it didn't end tragically, then that's lucky for us. But it might have done"
What does the Inspector teach the other characters about the lives of working class
people? - ✔✔He teaches them how hard working class people have to work in order to
survive, and that they often have no one to support them.
Explain how Priestley presents the theme of learning in An Inspector Calls. - ✔✔Sheila
is willing to learn from the Inspector. Initially, she is quite selfish and ignorant, for
example she admits that she didn't think getting Eva Smith sacked was "anything very
terrible". This shows that she didn't grasp the seriousness of her actions. Later, Sheila
starts to consider Eva's plight and realises they have all done wrong. Her development
follows the structure of the play: she learns more and more as the play progresses. By
act three, Sheila thinks of their actions as "crimes and idiocies". She is able to change her
views and she encourages her parents to do likewise.
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