Transcript Document
A WELL-MADE PLAY
Saturday, 18 July 2015
Exam format:
A
“passage” question worth 10 marks –
your spoken language CA might be useful
here…
A critical essay from a choice of two, worth
20 marks.
PEE and close analysis is vital in the
passage.
Embedded quotation is needed in the
essay.
An Inspector Calls
What is a “well-made play”?
The description is generally thought to
refer to two elements of the play:
The progression from ignorance to
knowledge not only of the characters, but
also of the audience.
The unity of time and space within the
play
1.
2.
Ignorance to Knowledge:
Unlike many Shakespearean plays, we are not
in the world of dramatic irony here in the sense
of the plot. However…
The references to war and the Titanic are the
exceptions and foreshadow what will happen
The audience may guess what is coming, just as
Sheila Birling does, but in essence, we know no
more than the characters.
Each character has their own journey to
knowledge. We need to consider how the
inspector comes to be so well informed about
everyone.
Politics
Priestley
was a committed socialist. Note
that the play was premiered in Moscow –
why would the storyline have appealed to
Stalin’s Soviet Union?
Goole and Birling are both given political
speeches during the play. Sum up their
standpoints with references to speeches
on pp6-7. 14-16, 56.
Whodunnit?
As the plot unravels, we are hooked and
wish to find out more. Each scene adds to
our knowledge. But:
There is no outcome, no Poirot-like
denouement.
Instead we are left with the knowledge that
all will repeat itself until the characters see
the error of their ways. Why?
MORALITY play?
Morality/Mystery play
Medieval
plays to teach the Bible to an
illiterate mass.
Clear presentations of allegorical
characters.
Present a battle between good and evil for
possession of the human soul.
Characters also represent sins who fight
for the soul of Man, protected by God…
Greed, Pride, Lust, Envy…
Mum and Dad
By turns obnoxious and grand, the parents
struggle to cope on many levels.
Mr Birling is an unashamed advocate of
Capitalism in its rawest state. Not above threats
and bluster, his realisation, if it ever comes, is
too little, too late. Even in Act 3 he is talking
about covering up Eric’s theft of money. His
bluster and anger is contrasted with the calm
and massive way that the inspector takes
control.
What do we understand of his foresight in Act 1?
“Mummy dearest…”
Insulted
by the “theft” of her name, she
rejects Eva, despite the fact that she is
pregnant.
Unable to see what is coming she
advocates Eric’s downfall
Dominant at home she treats Sheila as a
child and seeks to intimidate her and the
inspector.
Sheila
Seems to realise early on. Why?
Seems to almost be on Goole’s “side” as the
story develops.
Hurt by Gerald, she has the capacity to
understand – she tells him that she does not
“dislike” him and takes responsibility for her
actions.
“We often do on the young ones, they’re more
impressionable” –Inspector Act 2. In what ways
does Sheila fit this description?
Has Goole’s visit worked for Sheila?
GERALD
Socially superior – who are his parents and what do they
make of the engagement?
Seems to share Birling’s outlook on life.
His affair: boys will be boys or something else?
Did Sheila know all along?
Consider his description of “Alderman Meggarty”.
He is able to advise Mrs B. how to behave in front of the
inspector –once again, are we to believe that youth
confers some form of teachability?
Consider his explanation on pp66-67. Why does Priestly
write this here?
Little Eric
Weak and treated like a child. Refuge is found
in alcohol. How early does he guess? Pg 22,
wants to go to bed… why?
Can we find evidence of Birling treating him like
a little boy?
Is he “likeable”? Consider his own description of
his treatment of Eva. “I was in that state when a
chap easily turns nasty”.
Pg 57 conversation between Birling and Eric.
Who has learnt from the visit? What have they
learnt?
Ghoul
Or
should I say Goole?
Does he seem to be enjoying himself?
Justify your opinion.
Massively powerful, he seems to dominate
easily.
Where does his knowledge come from?
Is he real? If not, what is he?
Answers RQs, constantly re-emphasises the ghastliness of the death
A real inspector?
“It doesn’t much matter now, of course –but was
he really a police inspector?” Sheila pg 58
Does it matter?
Are you with Sheila and Eric or with Mr and Mrs
Birling on this point?
The Birlings seem obsessed with appearances –
how does this tie in with Goole? Consider
Sheila on pg 65.