Welcome to your Study Guide for 'An Inspector Calls'!
Hello there! Today we are diving into one of the most famous plays in English Literature: An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley. This play belongs to your Modern Drama section of the AQA 8702 course.
Think of this play like a "whodunnit" mystery, but with a twist: instead of one person being the killer, the Inspector shows how a whole family’s small, selfish actions led to a young woman's death. It’s a bit like a "domino effect"—one push makes everything else fall down. By the end of these notes, you’ll understand the characters, the big ideas, and exactly how to talk about them in your exam.
1. The "Why" and "When": Social and Historical Context
To understand this play, you need to know about two different years. Don't worry, it's easier than it sounds!
1912 (When the play is set): This was a time of "The Old Ways." Rich people were very powerful, and poor people had very few rights. There was no "safety net" (like the NHS) to help you if you lost your job.
1945 (When the play was written/first performed): World War II had just ended. People wanted a fairer world. Priestley wrote this play to remind people that we shouldn't go back to the selfish ways of 1912.
Analogy: Imagine you are watching a movie made in 2024 about a family in 1990 who thinks the internet will never be popular. You (the audience) know they are wrong. This is called Dramatic Irony, and Priestley uses it to make the main character, Mr. Birling, look foolish.
Key Takeaway: Priestley uses the play to argue for Socialism (the idea that we should look after each other) and against Capitalism (the idea that it's "every man for himself").
2. The Characters: Who's Who?
The play focuses on the Birling Family and Gerald Croft. They are celebrating an engagement when Inspector Goole arrives to ruin their party.
Arthur Birling (The Father)
He is a "heavy-looking, rather portentous man." He represents Greed and Capitalism. He thinks his only job is to make money and keep costs down.
Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't just say he is "mean." Say he is ideologically driven—he truly believes that looking after yourself is the only way to live.
Sybil Birling (The Mother)
She is "cold" and thinks she is better than everyone else because of her social class. She refuses to take any Responsibility for what happened to Eva Smith.
Sheila Birling (The Daughter)
At first, she seems shallow and "giddy," but she is the character who changes the most. She represents the "younger generation" who are willing to learn and change for the better.
Eric Birling (The Son)
He is "half shy, half assertive." He has a drinking problem and a difficult relationship with his father. Like Sheila, he feels Guilt by the end of the play.
Inspector Goole (The Mystery)
He is the "voice" of Priestley. He is there to teach the family a lesson. Is he a real policeman? A ghost? A moral force? His name "Goole" sounds like "Ghoul" (another word for a ghost!).
Quick Review Box:
The Older Generation: Mr. & Mrs. Birling (Refuse to change).
The Younger Generation: Sheila & Eric (Want to change).
Gerald Croft: Somewhere in the middle—he is young but has the old-fashioned views of the parents.
3. Key Themes: The "Big Ideas"
In your exam, you will likely be asked about one of these themes. Think of a theme as the "message" of the play.
Social Responsibility
This is the most important theme. The Inspector says: "We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other."
Real-world analogy: Think of a football team. If the goalkeeper makes a mistake, the whole team loses. Priestley thinks society is the same; if we treat one person badly, it hurts everyone.
Class and Status
The Birlings think they are "good people" because they are rich. They treat Eva Smith (the victim) like she isn't a real person with feelings because she is working-class.
Age and Change
Priestley uses the play to show that the young (Sheila/Eric) are "more impressionable." This means they are more likely to listen and become better people. He is putting his hope in the youth of the future.
Memory Aid: Use the mnemonic "C.A.R." to remember the big themes:
C - Class
A - Age
R - Responsibility
4. Dramatic Techniques: How the play is built
Because this is Drama, you need to talk about how it looks and sounds on a stage, not just what the characters say.
The Lighting
At the start, the lighting is "pink and intimate" (like looking through rose-tinted glasses). When the Inspector arrives, it becomes "brighter and harder." This tells the audience that the "truth" is about to be revealed, like a bright interrogation light.
The Cliffhanger
The play ends with the phone ringing. We find out that a girl has just died and an Inspector is on his way. This leaves the audience shocked and makes them think: "Wait, if the first guy wasn't real, who was he? And will they behave better this time?"
Dramatic Irony
Mr. Birling says the Titanic is "unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable." The audience in 1945 knows it did sink. This makes the audience immediately dislike Birling and doubt everything he says.
Key Takeaway: Don't just quote the words; mention the Stage Directions (the instructions in italics) to show you understand it's a play!
5. Top Tips for the Exam
1. Don't worry if the ending seems confusing! It’s supposed to be mysterious. The "Who is the Inspector?" question is less important than the "What did he teach them?" question.
2. Use the "Chain of Events." When writing about Eva Smith, explain how each character "pushed" her. Mr. Birling fired her -> Sheila got her fired again -> Gerald used her -> Eric used her -> Mrs. Birling refused to help her.
3. Focus on the Inspector’s Final Speech. It’s the most important part of the play. He warns that if we don't learn our lesson, we will be taught in "fire and blood and anguish" (referring to the World Wars).
Quick Review:
- Setting: 1912 (Inequality).
- Message: We must look after each other.
- Structure: One room, one night, three acts, building tension.
You’ve got this! Just remember that the play is J.B. Priestley’s way of asking us all to be a little bit kinder and more responsible for the people around us.