1912 1945
WW1 is yet to start. Mr Birling’s WW2 ended on the 8th of May
view that the “Germans don’t 1945. British audiences were
want war” is known to be recovering from nearly six years
incorrect by the audience as the of warfare, danger and
play was first performed in uncertainty.
1945.
The Titanic was in production Audiences knew the Titanic sank
but had not begun its ill-fated in 1912.
maiden voyage.
Men were seen as better than After WW2, women were
women in society. beginning to be more valued in
Working class women were seen society.
as cheap labour.
Wealthy married women were
expected to do charity work.
Strong divide between classes Less division between classes
and the upper class had no and there was a strong desire
intention to change their for social change.
position – keep power.
Priestly questions what type of people we were trying to save.
He reminds his audiences of the pre-war characters and how
people should learn from them as to not make their mistakes
which is a major theme in the play.
Priestly makes the Birling’s viewpoints opposite of what
happened in reality which makes the audience oppose them
and when the Inspector comes in and opposes the Birling’s he
is made more likeable and his points are more accepted.
, Character Deadly Sin Comments
Mr Birling Avarice/Greed He is a capitalist,
greedy for money
and wanted more by
exploiting others for
“lower costs”.
Mrs Birling Pride Her husband’s
“social superior”, she
is proud of her
status.
Wrath She feels contempt
towards Eva because
of her class “girl of
that class”.
Eric Birling Lust He feels entitled to
force his actions
onto Eva. Aware
prostitutes haunt the
Palace Variety
Theatre suggesting
it’s not his 1st time
going there.
Sheila Birling Envy She is jealous that
Eva looked better in
the dress than she
did.
Gerald Croft Lust Like Eric, Gerald had
a sexual affair with
Eva. Both men
objectify Eva based
on her appearance.
, Characters – Edna
What do they symbolise?
Although Edna is a minor character, her purpose within the play is
to represent the mistreatment of the domestic working class.
Key Moments
One of Edna’s key moments is when she announces “an inspector’s
called” which is the closest line we get to the title in the play
showing how significant this moment is and it is Edna who is the
one to usher the Inspector in to challenge the Birling’s views.
Another key moment is when Edna changes the lighting of the
room from “pink and intimate” to “brighter and harder”. This
transaction obviously shows how the Inspector brings a spotlight of
interrogation that ruins the Birlings optimistic rose-tinted glasses
which will illuminate the truth. However, the thing to note here is
that it is Edna who is the one to change the lighting which could
show how it will be the working class who will ultimately destroy
the hierarchy and have the upper class be judged for their
treatment of the other classes.
When Mr Birling orders Edna to “Show him in here. Give us some
more light” his tone of voice and the way he addresses Edna show
her no respect as both of these sentences are bluntly short and
monosyllabic suggesting no attempt of politeness. The clear
imperatives “Show” and “Give” suggest Birling expects to have his
orders followed instantly and without resistance.
WW1 is yet to start. Mr Birling’s WW2 ended on the 8th of May
view that the “Germans don’t 1945. British audiences were
want war” is known to be recovering from nearly six years
incorrect by the audience as the of warfare, danger and
play was first performed in uncertainty.
1945.
The Titanic was in production Audiences knew the Titanic sank
but had not begun its ill-fated in 1912.
maiden voyage.
Men were seen as better than After WW2, women were
women in society. beginning to be more valued in
Working class women were seen society.
as cheap labour.
Wealthy married women were
expected to do charity work.
Strong divide between classes Less division between classes
and the upper class had no and there was a strong desire
intention to change their for social change.
position – keep power.
Priestly questions what type of people we were trying to save.
He reminds his audiences of the pre-war characters and how
people should learn from them as to not make their mistakes
which is a major theme in the play.
Priestly makes the Birling’s viewpoints opposite of what
happened in reality which makes the audience oppose them
and when the Inspector comes in and opposes the Birling’s he
is made more likeable and his points are more accepted.
, Character Deadly Sin Comments
Mr Birling Avarice/Greed He is a capitalist,
greedy for money
and wanted more by
exploiting others for
“lower costs”.
Mrs Birling Pride Her husband’s
“social superior”, she
is proud of her
status.
Wrath She feels contempt
towards Eva because
of her class “girl of
that class”.
Eric Birling Lust He feels entitled to
force his actions
onto Eva. Aware
prostitutes haunt the
Palace Variety
Theatre suggesting
it’s not his 1st time
going there.
Sheila Birling Envy She is jealous that
Eva looked better in
the dress than she
did.
Gerald Croft Lust Like Eric, Gerald had
a sexual affair with
Eva. Both men
objectify Eva based
on her appearance.
, Characters – Edna
What do they symbolise?
Although Edna is a minor character, her purpose within the play is
to represent the mistreatment of the domestic working class.
Key Moments
One of Edna’s key moments is when she announces “an inspector’s
called” which is the closest line we get to the title in the play
showing how significant this moment is and it is Edna who is the
one to usher the Inspector in to challenge the Birling’s views.
Another key moment is when Edna changes the lighting of the
room from “pink and intimate” to “brighter and harder”. This
transaction obviously shows how the Inspector brings a spotlight of
interrogation that ruins the Birlings optimistic rose-tinted glasses
which will illuminate the truth. However, the thing to note here is
that it is Edna who is the one to change the lighting which could
show how it will be the working class who will ultimately destroy
the hierarchy and have the upper class be judged for their
treatment of the other classes.
When Mr Birling orders Edna to “Show him in here. Give us some
more light” his tone of voice and the way he addresses Edna show
her no respect as both of these sentences are bluntly short and
monosyllabic suggesting no attempt of politeness. The clear
imperatives “Show” and “Give” suggest Birling expects to have his
orders followed instantly and without resistance.
