Summary Knowledge Organiser for An Inspector Calls
1 view 0 purchase
Course
English Literature
Institution
GCSE
This document, provides a brief and direct description on each of the Acts. In addition, it provides key quotations from each act, based on both characters and themes. As well as providing key themes, and context revolving around the Jacobean era.
Key moments/ Plot summary GCSE English Literature Paper 2 – An Inspector Calls by J.B.Priestley Key Themes
• The Birling family is celebrating the engagement of Sheila to Gerald
Croft. Arthur Birling is in a good mood and makes a number of • Responsibility
speeches giving his views. He doesn’t believe that anyone has a • Guilt & blame
responsibility to others apart from their own family.
• Inspector Goole arrives and informs Birling about the death of a • Morals
young woman who has committed suicide. Birling sacked the girl,
Eva Smith, after she demanded higher wages.
• Political views AO1
1 • Shelia Birling is also connected, having had Eva sacked from a • Generations/ Age
•
clothes shop. She is horrified and appears genuinely remorseful.
The inspector seems to know details of the family’s involvement • Class system
and by the end of Act 1 the audience expects him to reveal
Key characters • Wealth, Power
further connections with members of the Birling family.
A snob and social climber who is very aware and Influence
Mr
Birling
of his position in society and is concerned
with his reputation and business. • Sympathy
• Although Gerald tries to get Sheila to leave the room, she insists • Women &
on staying; Gerald admits to having had an affair with Eva Smith.
Sheila is hurt and disappointed in Gerald and returns her Mrs An even bigger snob than her husband, she Gender divides
engagement ring to him. Gerald seems genuinely affected by the
girl’s death.
Birling shows no empathy and does not change.
• Ignorance &
The inspector interrogates Mrs Birling about the pregnant girl (Eva Knowledge
2 •
Smith) she turned away from her charity organisation. Mrs Birling
insists that the father of the baby is responsible.
Sheila
Starts off as childish and petulant but
becomes the most sympathetic character • Lies & secrecy
who regrets her actions. Sheila changes.
• Eric re-enters right at the end of the scene; we are expecting him
to be the father of the baby.
Eric Awkward and uneasy, he is not understood by
his parents. Shows remorse for his actions.
• Questioned closely by the inspector Eric tells his story. He reveals
that he had tried to support the girl by giving her money stolen Gerald Fiancé of Sheila. Upper class. Agrees with Mr Key Language &
from the business. The Birlings are more horrified by this than the Croft and Mrs B. Does not learn from the events. Dramatic techniques
baby.
• The inspector makes a powerful speech on social responsibility. Inspector He could be representative of Priestley, God, • Stage directions
Gerald re-enters bring news that there is no Inspector Goole. Eric
•
and Sheila feel this doesn’t matter and they should still reflect on
Goole or a voice of conscience. Could be a ghost. • Lighting
3 their actions. Gerald then confirms there was no death of a girl
and the Birlings and he are delighted and return to their Although the audience never meets her, it is
• Exits and
behaviour from the start of the play.
Eva
Smith her death that is the cause of the Inspector's Entrances
• The play ends when the telephone rings: a girl has died in the
infirmary and a police inspector is on his way.
investigation which in turn drives the drama. • Speech/
dialogue
Key Context- Why did Priestley write it? • Foreshadowing
AO3 • Dramatic Irony
Key exam skills AO1
•
•
Although set in 1912 the play was written in 1944/5.
The original audience would have appreciated the irony of Mr
• Simile
What is the exam question?
• You will be asked to write an essay about either a theme or character that tests your
Birling’s positive predictions for the future as he turned out in • Metaphor
knowledge and understanding of the whole play and the techniques Priestley used.
•
reality to be very wrong.
Setting the play before WWI meant that Priestly could emphasise • Repetition
Eg: How does Priestley explore responsibility in An Inspector Calls?
the social class divisions in the play. Priestley used Mr Birling to • Verbs AO2
represent a Capitalist viewpoint. Birling is concerned about
Key phrases to use: money and what other people think. Priestley uses the characters’ • Adjectives
• Priestley’s use of stage directions/ metaphor/ simile/ (etc) emphasises… reactions to looking after Eva Smith to highlight what society • Adverbs
• Priestley uses dramatic devices across the play to present… should do for one another.
• Priestley surprises/ shocks/ changes the audience’s view when… • Priestley wrote the play to encourage people to seize the
• One aspect of Sheila’s character that Priestley focuses on here is… opportunity after the war to build a better, more caring society.
• Priestley presents a change in _____________ throughout the play…
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller MrGabs. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $6.51. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
