An Inspector Calls

Choose an important moment in the story for one of the characters and write a diary entry for that characters. Diary of Eva Smith: March 3rd, 1911. Dear diary, This evening I nearly got into some trouble with an old man, who was half drunk and google-eyed, but luckily, I was rescued by a young gentleman. We went to the county and had a drink and something to eat, which was wonderful, as I hadn`t eaten well for days. March 8 th , 1911. Dear diary, I met Gerald again this evening. I let him know, that I`m short of money. He insisted on helping me out with a place to stay and actually gave me money for staying and talking to him, which was nice. He also offered me a better place to stay. The house I`m now staying in is much nicer than the old backroom I were stuck in before, although it is only temporary, because it belongs to a friend of his, who is in Canada for a few months. September 7 th , 1911. Dear diary, Gerald finished our relationship. He i...

Write about what you are learning personally as a result of reading this text. Reflection:   Several times throughout the play I have noticed repeated issues, which Priestly is trying to depict. Among others he wants us to be aware of how our actions affect other people. Especially this Theme has had my interest since I was a little girl. I`m very much aware of have I affect my surroundings. I`m part of many contexts and I feel responsible for others well-being. Every single action I make has an affect on someone else`s life, ex. my family members, the cashier in Migros, the passenger in the train, my teacher, my classmate etc. Even the smallest comment or gesture could cause serious consequences. I`m surprised how my colleagues and acquaintances are concerned with this Theme. I often experience that people around me are not enough aware of how they treat other people. I have been hurt too and I am sure , that some of the people, who were hurting me, don’t even rec...

In your own words what happened in the book? At any point in the story, retell the major details of the story`s plot so far. Recount: Act. 2: An inspector, called Goole asks Birling if he knows a woman called Eva Smith. At the beginning Birling doesn’t seems to remember, but at the time the inspector shows him a photograph of her, he realises who she is. Before that the inspector told Mr. Birling that Eva had committed suicide, she burnt inside out, because of strong disinfectant. The information is relevant to Mr. Birling because Eva was employed by the company of Birling. After Eva went back to work from a holiday, she and some of her co-workers went on a strike, because they wanted a wage increase. Birling however do not agree. After two weeks of strike they turned back to work, but Birling didn’t tolerate their behaviour, so he cleared out the ringleaders of this group. Eva was one of them, and Mr. birling fires her. Now the inspector presumes, it could be t...

Write about how the setting or any of the characters   remind you of people or characters in your own personal life. How are the situations or events similar to or different from your own life? Reflection:   The play indeed relates to my own life. You may find the same characters everywhere in your everyday life. In the play we meat different individuals with inappropriate behaviour, which in a way is comparable to my life. To a greater or lesser extent, I deal with selfishness, greed, jealousy etc. Among other contexts it occurs in the school, in the family, in relations, in a larger global context etc. Mr Birling represented greed. An example is the dining table of Birlings with champagne, dessert and port. On the other hand, he views the working class to be greedy. He claims they would ask for the “earth” if allowed. By the way this attitude reveals his complete lack of self-awareness. The climate change is a result of greed and the resistance to refug...

At any point, write about how you feel while reading a section of the book. Say how what is happening makes you feel and why? Reflection: At a point in the book the Birling Family realises, what they each did caused a tragedy. It`s exiting that they all react different. Mr. Birling denies any responsibility for what happened to Eva Smith after he dismissed her as his employee. On the other hand, Sheila, Mr. Birling`s daughter feels guilt immediately. I think both reactions are understandable. When a tragedy like this happens and you at some point have made the life of the person concerned difficult, you can`t bear to think about the consequences of your actions. Because of that you reject any charge to convince your innocence to your associated surroundings, but most of all to prove your innocence to yourself. In contrast to her farther, Sheila blames herself that she was that rude to Eva Smith in the Milwards warehouse. She feels miserable, if she should be partl...

At any point in the story take a guess as to how the story (plot) will go on or finally conclude. What is going to happen. Prediction p.45:   It seems like the Inspector already knows all about the misery. He just wants each member of the Birling family to confess themselves. At the beginning they deny their knowledge to Eva Smith`s death, but I think, it will turn out, that they all have some kind of connection to her in the end. Off course these news about each member off the Birling family will challenge the family and their relationship. The family is very proud, and it seems to be very important to keep up their good reputation in the community of people in which they live. I`m excited how the family will manage the accusations. It might ruin the family, because everyone wants to save their own skin instead of sticking together. Among other things I presume that Gerald and Sheila will end up reconsidering their marriage, because they get to know e...

Write about the relationship between two characters and how it is changing or developing. What are the characteristics of the relationship? What does work or not work? What is changing? How do they affect one another? Relationship between Mr. Birling and Sheila:   Mr. Birling and Sheila have very different characteristics. Sheila is young and impressionable whereas Mr. Birling is a stubborn businessman. Sheila is an attractive sensitive young woman in contrast to her farther, who is a heavy looking, rather portentous man in his middle fifties. He is a thoughtless unempathetic businessman. The relationship between Mr. Birling and Sheila seems to be very childlike. This is shown, when he says: Are you listening, Sheila?” and her reply is: “I`m sorry, daddy”. This shows, that even though Sheila is growing up into a woman, Birling is still talking to her as if she was a child. Birling is also very degrading towards Sheila, when he says: “nothing to do with you, ...

Describe a character from the book. Say why you like/ dislike the character The Character Mr. Birling:   Mr. Birling is a “heavy-looking” rather portentous man in his middle fifties. He is a factory owner, not the social equal one like his wife. His priority is to make money. “It`s my duty to keep labour costs down”. He tells the Inspector, that he wouldn`t listen to Eva Smiths demand for a wage rise, “I refused of cause” and he is surprised why anyone should ask questions about it. He is optimistic about the future.” Yet we know that, what he predicts will not come true”. Mr. Birling refused to accept any responsibility for Eva`s death. He is totally shocked, that his own son, Eric turns out to be a thief, a drunkard and is responsible for fathering a child. When he learns of all this muddle, he says: you damned fool- why didn`t you come to me, when you found yourself in this mess?” Eric`s reply indicates, that Mr. Birling was never close to hi...

Name 5 main themes of the play. Analysis:   1. Social duty: “We do not live alone”, the inspector says in his final speech. “We are members of one body”. This perhaps is the most important and central theme of the play. Social status, wealth, class or anything else doesn`t matter. Priestly wants to highlight, that it is important that people are aware of the effect`s of their actions on other. The Birlings of course do not think at all how they might have affected Eva Smith. 2. Youth and age: The play draws a contrast between the older and the younger generations of Birlings. While Arthur and Sibyl refuse to accept responsibility for their actions towards Eva Smith, (Arthur in particular is only concerned for his reputation), Eric and Sheila are shaken by the inspector`s message and their role in Eva Smith`s suicide. The younger generation is taking more responsibility. 3. Cause and effect: The Inspector mentions chain of events that may...

In your own words what happened in the book? At any point in the story, retell the major details of the story`s plot so far. Recount: Act 3. Bitter meeting between Eric and his parents. Eric tells us that he raped the girl and they then started a relationship. He got her pregnant and stole money from his farther to keep her going. The Birlings now know that they played a part in the girl’s death. Sheila and Eric are more aware of their actions than Gerald, Mr. Birling and Mrs. Birling. The inspector leaves, delivering his final speech about equality. The family discuss the night events whether the inspector was real or not. They realise that he showed them a different photograph and he cheated them. Mr. birling is delighted, assuming he is off the hook. Sheila and Eric show great remorse. Sheila is the most willing to accept what she has done and gets more and more desperate and feels increasingly miserable as she realizes that Arthur and Sybil only w...

Say what you think the author is trying to say. What is the author`s main message or purpose? Say how well you think the author succeeds in what he is attempting and give reasons for your answers. Analysis: The author, Priestly want to let the public understand how the higher social class in 1912 took advantage of their position in society. Priestly use the Birling family to light up the problems in society at that time, in particular how people in that period did not take responsibility for others. The Birlings think that Eva Smith has herself to blame. The message which I think Priestly is trying to give through the characters and the text is that no one is alone, that our actions can lead to another person’s actions and also that we all are responsible for each other. We are all equal although we do not always see it and finally that we should learn from our mistakes. I think the message is very exciting, also considered that the play was written 55 years ago....