AN INSPECTOR CALLS – Themes Exam Questions and Answers 100% Pass

AN INSPECTOR CALLS – Themes Exam Questions and Answers 100% Pass Arthur Birling- key ideas - 7 sins: GREED Arrogant, opinionated, pompous, narrow minded Provincial accent and vocabulary, stubbornly lacking in subtlety, give evidence of his upward social mobility Dominant and controlling Priestley discredits him using dramatic irony His view of this future prosperity are naive and with hindsight, unfounded suggesting... His political and ideological ideas are flawed Believes progress is measured by industrial advances Makes desperate gestures that seem futile in the face of the Inspector- weak and backward looking Demonstrates the generation gap as he has issues with Eric Brings the audience to respond in frustration 2COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY KATELYN WHITMAN, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Represents an obstacle HOWEVER reassures us that with the passing of Edwardian age and the knowledge of the next 30 years He is the past Sybil Birling- Key ideas - 7 sins: PRIDE Cold, lacking emotions- a product of Victorian stoicisim Socially superior to her husband Different to Mr Birling: aware of the differences between the social classes yet seeks to maintain the status quo Incapable of humility, self-examination: Believes that because of their position in the community they are above criticism Insulated by her husbands wealth Motivated by her controlling nature Embodiment of what is obnoxious of the ruling class The most resistant to the Inspector Grasps eagerly at the idea that if the Inspector is not genuine, they can and indeed go on behaving as they have Gerald- key ideas - Irresponsible, insulated His duplicitous and complacent way of life will jeopardise his plan to marry Sheila- punishment? To marry Sheila would be to ignore his misbehaviour Does not admit his involvement at first in an attempt to protect his interests Gerald drives the theory that the Inspector is fake 3COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY KATELYN WHITMAN, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Does not change by the end of the play, protects his reputation Birling's ideal son. To him, Gerald represents integrity and guarantees profit HOWEVER he repeats an ongoing lie Eric- key ideas - 7 sins: Lust Awkward and unsure of himself- a product of his parent's behaviour Clear tension between his father, resents him for his coldness and distance Challenges his father Has no support, neglected Frustration motivates his behaviour and heavy drinking Explosive- unequipped to reach the outside world Sense of sympathy shared with Sheila, both ashamed of their pare