AN INSPECTOR CALLS

By J.B. Priestley

J. B. PRIESTLEY• Born: BRAdford, 1894

• WAS A Socialist

• Conscious of poverty and the lives of the poor

• Understood problems of the poor, underprivileged and unemployed

KEY IDEAS the class system

Community

responsibility

SETTING Written -1945 Set – DINING ROOM Of THE

BIRLING FAMILY HOME,

- BRUMLEY , WEST MIDLANDS

- SPRING, 1912.

CHARACTERS Mr Arthur birling - a middle aged

businessman

Mrs Sybil birling - his wife Miss sheila birling - his daughter Mr eric birling - his son Gerald croft - Sheila’s fiance Inspector goole Edna – the maid Eva smith

ARTHUR BIRLING

SYBIL BIRLING

SHEILA BIRLING

ERIC BIRLING

GERALD CROFT

INSPECTOR GOOLE

EVA SMITH

THE CLASS SYSTEM THE UPPER CLASSES

FAMILIES have wealth, property, estates, status, possibly titles.

Have always been rich- wealth has been passed down through generations of the family.

Women do not work.

Have many servants.

Seen as SUPERIOR to both middle classes and working classes

THE CLASS SYSTEM THE MIDDLE CLASSES Some have had wealth, property, status for several generations.

Others have made money and become more wealthy.

Many middle class men own businesses, and are striving to increase wealth and status.

Lower middle classes are striving to become upper middle class.

They have been educated, and are more socially mobile.

Many middle class women do not work. Lower middle class women tend to work as governesses/teachers

Have servants

Seen as inferior to upper classes, but superior to working classes

THE CLASS SYSTEM THE WORKING CLASSES

Have little money, and often live in poverty Rent rather than own property Little education, if any. Have few prospects and life is a struggle Both men and women have to work,

generally in manual jobs e.g. In factories, shops, or as servants

Have little chance of ever improving their lives or prospects

Seen as inferior to both upper, and middle classes.

WHAT MAKES ‘AN INSPECTOR CALLS’ TYPICAL OF A DETECTIVE STORY?

It contains an inspector/detective who is central to the action.

A crime or mystery and a dead victim.

A limited number of suspects.

Unanswered questions which require the audience to think.

An investigation.

WHAT MAKES ‘AN INSPECTOR CALLS’ TYPICAL OF A DETECTIVE STORY?

A gradual unravelling of a mystery.

Unexpected developments that surprise the audience.

Intrigue and suspense which creates curiosity and excitement for the audience.

Cliff hangers at the end of each act.

Twists in the plot

THE CLASS SYSTEM