Revision tasks

Task 1A: Plot Sequence

Order A-H in order that they occur in the plot, labelling them 1-8.

A. On the inspector’s questioning, Arthur admits firing Eva from his factory but denies responsibility.

B. While the Birlings are celebrating Sheila and Gerald’s engagement, an Inspector calls about a suicide.

C. On the inspector’s questioning, Sheila admits having Eva fired from her job and feels guilty.

D. On the inspector’s questioning, Gerald admits having an affair with Eva and feels guilty.

E. Under questioning, Eric admits to having got Eva pregnant and blames his mother for killing both Eva and their child.

F. Under questioning, Sybil denies responsibility for refusing to help Eva and blames the man who got her pregnant.

G. A final phone call says that a suicide has happened and that a police inspector is on the way.

H. Gerald, Sybil and Arthur think Goole was a hoax; Eric and Sheila criticise them for not learning the right lesson.

Task 1B: put these things that happen to Eva Smith in the correct order.

Eva Smith meets Gerald Croft at the Palace Theatre Bar.
Eva Smith is fired from Milwards after Sheila requests it.
Eva Smith meets Eric Birling at the Palace Theatre Bar.
Eva Smith is fired from Arthur Birling’s factory.
Eva Smith is refused help from Sybil Birling’s charity.

2. CHARACTER

Task 2A: Answer these questions to recap character choices.

Which characters are ‘pleased’ with themselves at the start of the play?
Which character fires Eva Smith because she asked for more money?
Which character had Eva Smith fired from her job because she was jealous of her?
Which character took advantage of Eva Smith’s need for money and a place to live?
Which character forced himself upon Eva Smith and got her pregnant?
Which character refused help to Eva Smith because she was unsympathetic and judgemental?
Which characters accept responsibility for their actions?
Which characters don’t accept responsibility for their actions?
Which characters are engaged at the start of the play?
Which character has an affair?
Which character tries to go back to the engagement at the end of the play, as if nothing has happened?
Which character thinks he is in line for a knighthood?
Which character runs a charity?
Which characters try to lie to the Inspector and pretend they didn’t know Eva Smith?
Which character finds out the Inspector isn’t real?
Which character tries to pay off the Inspector to keep him quiet?
Which characters are the older characters?
Which characters are the younger characters?
Which characters don’t learn anything?
Which characters do learn something?

Task 2B: Character Thoughts and Feelings

Why are all characters ‘pleased’ with themselves at the start of the play?
Why does Arthur Birling only look after ‘himself and his own’?
Why does Arthur Birling ‘refuse’ to pay his workers more money?
Why does Arthur Birling feel he ‘can’t accept any responsibility’?
Why does Arthur Birling offer the Inspector ‘thousands’?
Why does Sybil Birling refer to the working classes as ‘that class’?
Why does Sybil Birling believe she was ‘perfectly justified’ in not helping Eva Smith?
Why does Sybil Birling say ‘go look for the father of the child’?
Why does Sheila Birling have Eva Smith fired?
Why does Sheila Birling refer to her parents as ‘mummy’ and ‘daddy’ in the opening?
Why does Sheila Birling go on to say that she ‘started it’?
Why does Sheila Birling accuse her parents of thinking they’re ‘nice people’ after the Inspector leaves?
Why does Eric Birling ask the question, ‘why shouldn’t they try for higher wages?’
Why does Eric Birling say ‘I did what I did’?
Why does Eric Birling say to Sybil ‘you killed them both’?
Why does Gerald Croft try to keep his affair from the Inspector?
Why does Gerald Croft say that he felt ‘sorry for her’?
Why does Gerald Croft say ‘everything’s alright now Sheila. What about this ring’?
Why does the Inspector often cut in ‘massively’ over the Birlings?
Why does the Inspector expose the Birlings’ actions?
Why does the Inspector say ‘we are all responsible for each other’?
Why does the inspector say that Eva Smith died in ‘misery and agony’?

Task 2C: Characteristics and Choices or Actions (use the words underneath to help you)

1. Arthur Birling is presented as _____________ and _____________ because she ...

2. Sybil Birling is presented as _____________ and _____________ because she ...

3. Sheila is presented as _____________ and _____________ because he ...

4. Eric is presented as _____________ and _____________ because he …

5. Gerald is presented as _____________ and _____________ because he …

6. The Inspector is presented as _____________ and _____________ because he …

Possible Options: arrogant? selfish? unkind? guilty? ashamed? powerful? responsible? moral? irresponsible?

Task 2D: Character Comparison (you choose which words go in here)

1. Whereas Arthur Birling is _________________, Eric is ______________________.

2. Whereas Sybil Birling is _______________________, Sheila is __________________________.

3. Whereas the Gerald Croft is ___________________, Eric is ______________________________________.

4. Whereas the Inspector is _________________________, Sybil Birling is __________________________.

Options: arrogant? selfish? unkind? guilty? ashamed? powerful? responsible? moral? irresponsible?

Task 2E: Character Development

1. How does Arthur develop as a character throughout the play?

a) Early in the play,

b) As the play progresses,

c) Later in the play,

2. How does Sybil develop as a character throughout the play?

a) Early in the play,

b) As the play progresses,

c) Later in the play,

3. How does Sheila develop as a character throughout the play?

a) Early in the play,

b) As the play progresses,

c) Later in the play,

4. How does Eric develop as a character throughout the play?

a) Early in the play,

b) As the play progresses,

c) Later in the play,

5. How does the Inspector develop as a character throughout the play?

a) Early in the play,

b) As the play progresses,

c) Later in the play,

6. How does Gerald develop as a character throughout the play?

a) Early in the play,

b) As the play progresses,

c) Later in the play,

3. CONTEXT

Task 3A: Answer the questions about Priestley’s context.

When did Priestley write the play?
When did Priestley set the play?
What inequality existed in 1912?
What were the three classes?
Which class had the most difficult experience?
Which class did Eva Smith belong to?
Which class do the Birlings and Gerald Croft belong to?
Before government help like the NHS, where could people turn to for help when they needed it?
Did Priestley believe in a big divide between upper and lower classes or equality between classes?
What did Priestley hope his audience would realise about the upper classes by watching his play?
What did Priestley hope his audience would realise about the working classes by watching his play?
What did Priestley want the upper classes to do for the working classes?
Which generation did Priestley believe would be more likely to change things? Older or younger?
Which characters does Priestley use to suggest that the younger generation will be more willing to change and improve society?
Which characters does Priestley use to suggest that the older generation will be more stuck in their ways and unwilling to change?
In the play, what does class inequality lead Eva Smith towards?
What does Priestley highlight as being the reason why the Birlings’ lives are much simpler than Eva Smith’s life?
How would Priestley like to see inequality change?
What does Priestley believe we should do for those less fortunate than us?

Task 3B: How did Priestley want his 1945 audience to respond to each of these character’s actions?

Arthur Birling’s selfish approach to his business.
Arthur Birling’s decision to refuse Eva Smith a pay rise and fire her.
Arthur Birling’s decision to offer the inspector thousands in order to bribe him to keep quiet.
Sheila Birling’s decision to have Eva Smith fired due to jealousy.
Sheila Birling accepting full responsibility for her actions.
Sheila Birling criticising her parents for not learning anything.
Sybil Birling’s prejudiced attitude towards the working classes.
Sybil Birling’s decision to refuse help to Eva Smith.
Sybil Birling’s decision to feel no guilt for her actions.
Eric Birling’s treatment of Eva Smith.
Eric Birling accepting responsibility for his actions.
Eric Birling criticising his parents for not learning anything.
Gerald Croft’s decision to start an affair with Daisy Renton.
Gerald Croft’s happiness when he finds out the inspector isn’t real.
Gerald Croft’s decision to re-propose to Sheila.
The way the inspector interrupts the Birlings.
The way the inspector speaks very honestly and emotively about Eva Smith’s death.

Task 3D: List actions taken by any characters that challenge a 1945 audience’s views on...

Inequality.
Capitalism.
Prejudice.
Selfishness.
Women.

Task 3E: Answer these questions with at least one example from the novella.

How does Priestley challenge...

...attitudes to inequality?
...attitudes to capitalism?
...attitudes to women?
...attitudes to private charities?
...attitudes to honesty and secrets among wealthy people?
...hypocrisy among wealthy people?

Challenge: list as many examples as you can think of.

Task 3F: Answer these questions with at least one example from the play.

Challenge: list as many examples as you can think of.

What does Priestley suggest that capitalism leads to?
What does Priestley suggest that inequality leads to?
How does Priestley criticise private charities and propose the need for a welfare state?
How does Priestley criticise hypocrisy among the wealthy classes in 1912?

4. QUOTATIONS

4A: Write the quotations out in full, plus who says it to whom. If you’re stuck, check the content on p. xxx

Inspector Goole

‘cutting in, m____________’
‘Mis______ and a_______’
‘We are r__________ for each o______r’
‘If m______ will not l_______ their lesson, they will be taught it in f______, b_____ and a________’

All Birlings

‘p_________ with themselves’

Sheila Birling

‘Mummy and d_______’ ‘m_______ and father’.
‘I s________ it’

Eric Birling

‘Why shouldn’t they try for h_______ w______?’
‘I guess we’re all n_____ p_______ now’
‘I d____ what I d___’
‘You’re beginning to p________ that n_________ really h__________’

Arthur Birling

‘Unsinkable. Absolutely unsinkable’
‘A man has to mind his own b________, look after h_______ and his o____’.
‘I r________ of c________’.
‘I can’t a_______ any re___________’.
‘I’d give t____________’

Sybil Birling

‘girls of that c________’.
‘I was p________ j________’
‘Go and look for the f_________ of the c________. It’s his r_______.’

Gerald Croft

‘We can k_______ it from him’
‘I was s________ for her’.
‘Everything’s a________...What about this r______?’

Setting:

‘Heavily c__________ house’
‘c___________’

Task 4B: Character quotations. Complete the sentences, adding your own explanation.

All of the Birlings are described by Priestley as ‘p________’ with themselves in the opening stage directions, which suggests...
Arthur Birling states that his priority when running his business is to ‘look after h____ and h______ o_____’, which suggests...
Arthur Birling states, ‘I r______ ___________’ when asked by the Inspector about firing Eva Smith, which demonstrates...
Arthur Birling offers the Inspector ‘t______’ in order to ...
Sheila Birling refers to her parents as ‘m________’ and ‘d_____’ early in the play but ‘m_______’ and ‘f_____’ later, which suggests...
Sheila Birling states ‘I s_______ i___’, which conveys...
Sheila says to her parents and Gerald ‘I guess we’re all n______ p___________ now’, which indicates...
Gerald Croft thinks he can ‘k______ i____ f_____ h______’ when the Inspector first starts asking questions, which demonstrates...
Gerald states that he was ‘s________ for her’ when he met Eva Smith (Daisy Renton) at the bar, which suggests...
Gerald asks Sheila ‘w______ about t_____ r_______?’ but Sheila refuses to re-accept it, which demonstrates...
Sybil Birling calls the working classes ‘g_____ of t____ c_______’, which emphasises that..
Sybil Birling says she was ‘p____________ j__________’, which conveys...
Sybil Birling orders the Inspector to ‘l_____ for the f_______’ of Eva Smith’s child at the very moment Eric re-enters the stage, which demonstrates...
Eric states ‘I d____ what I d____’ when confessing to the way he treated E_____ S______, which shows…
Eric challenges his father’s approach to business when he asks ‘why shouldn’t____________________?’, which demonstrates...
Eric accuses his parents of not learning anything when he says ‘you’re b_________ to pretend that n_______ r_______ h___________’, which indicates...
Priestley often uses stage directions such as ‘c______ in m_______’ to emphasise the Inspector’s forceful presence, which conveys..
The Inspector tries to make the Birlings feel guilty when he describes Eva Smith in ‘m______ and ag______’ when she died, which suggests...
The inspector tries to make the Birlings take responsibility for other people when he says ‘we are all r_________ for each o_________, which shows…
The inspector appears knowing when he states, ‘if men...

Task 4D: Which quotation demonstrates…

...that the inspector is happy to talk over the Birlings in order to get his point across?
...that the inspector wants to make the Birlings feel very guilty and sad about Eva Smith’s death?
...that the inspector wants to teach the Birlings about taking responsibility for others?
...that all of the Birlings are happy and smug at the start of the play?
...that Sheila Birling is childish and sheltered at the start of the play?
...that Sheila Birling matures and sees her parents differently by the end of the play?
...that Sheila Birling takes full responsibility for her actions?
...that Sheila Birling accuses her parents of not learning (using a very sarcastic tone)?
…that Eric Birling challenges his father for having a very selfish approach to his business?
...that Eric Birling feels guilty and ashamed but accepts responsibility for what he did?
...that Eric Birling accuses his parents of not learning anything?
...that Arthur Birling runs his business in a very selfish way?
...that Arthur Birling selfishly denied his workers a pay rise?
...that Arthur Birling takes no responsibility for his actions?
...that Arthur Birling tries to bribe the inspector to keep quiet about the scandal?
...that Sybil Birling looks down on (is prejudiced against) the working classes?
…that Sybil Birling sees she did nothing wrong?
...that Sybil Birling is happy to blame the father of the child when she thinks he is a working class man?
...that Gerald Croft thinks he can lie to the inspector about his affair?
...that Gerald Croft felt sorry for Eva Smith when he first met her as Daisy Renton at the bar?
...that Gerald Croft thinks everything can go back to normal once they find out the inspector isn’t real?
...that the Birlings’ house is wealthy and comfortable?
...that the Birlings can afford expensive drinks?

Task 4E: Provide quotations that you would use to explore how Priestley contrasts…

Arthur and Eric.
Arthur and Sheila.
Sybil and Eric.
Sybil and Sheila.
Eric and Gerald.
Sheila and Gerald.
Eric and Sheila.
The inspector and Arthur.
The inspector and Sybil.

5. PRIESTLEY'S METHODS

Task 5B: Copy and complete the sentences to comment on how Priestley creates contrast between characters. This is one of his important methods.

Try and fill in the gaps with your own words. There is not just one right answer.

Whereas Priestley presents Sheila Birling as guilty, he presents Sybil Birling as...in order to suggest...
Whereas Priestley presents Sheila Birling as responsible, he presents Arthur Birling as… in order to…
Whereas Priestley presents Sheila Birling as a character who learns, he presents Gerald Croft as a character who… in order to…
Whereas Priestley presents Eric Birling as a guilty and ashamed, he demonstrates that Arthur Birling as… in order to…
Whereas Priesltey presents Sybil Birling as unsympathetic, hhe presents Eric as… in order to...
Whereas Priestley presents the inspector as moral, he presents Arthur Birling as...in order to…
Whereas Priestley presents the inspector as moral, he presents Sybil Birling as...in order to…
Whereas Priestley presents Eva Smith and the working classes as voiceless, he...

Task 5D: Structural choices. Answer these questions. Why does Priestley...

... open the play with a celebratory mood?
...choose for the inspector to enter during Arthur Birling’s capitalist speech about his business?
...choose for Eric to reenter the stage at the very moment Sybil Birling tells the inspector to ‘go and look for the

father of the child’?

...choose for Gerald to discover that the inspector’s arrival is a hoax?
...choose for Arthur Birling to call the infirmary and discover that no woman has died?
...choose for Arthur Birling to be the one to receive the call from the infirmary at the end of the play?
...end on a cliffhanger?

Task 5E: Tension. How does Priestley create tension in each of these moments?

Challenge: explain why he creates tension in these moments.

When Sheila discovers Gerald’s affair.
When Sybil realises that Eric is a drinker and got Eva Smith pregnant.
When Gerald suggests the inspector isn’t real
When Arthur, Sybil and Gerald are relieved that the inspector isn’t real.
When Arthur receives a call from the infirmary.

6. THEMES

Task 6A: The Theme of Inequality

Eva Smith is at the bottom of society because she is working class and a woman.

The Birlings, who represent power and fortune, judge, rather than help, the working classes.

The Inspector exposes the Birling family and shows how they made Eva Smith a victim of their social superiority.

Eric and Sheila, the younger characters, develop a conscience through the Inspector’s questioning.

What is Priestley suggesting about inequality?

Priestley suggests that inequality is based on _____________________________.
Priestley suggests that class hypocrisy can _____________________________________.
Priestley suggests that inequality is ________________________________________________.

Clues: how is inequality linked to gender and social status?

Task 6B: The Theme of Responsibility

Priestley uses the Inspector to promote social responsibility and uses the characters of Arthur and Sybil to show how the higher classes focus on improving their own lives and status rather than helping others. Priestley also wants to show the lack of personal responsibility taken by Arthur and Sybil because they refuse to accept that they did anything wrong..

What is Priestley suggesting about responsibility?

Through the characters of Arthur and Sybil Birling, _____________________________.
Through the characters of Eric and Sheila Birling, ____________________________________.
Through the character of Gerald, ________________________________-.
Priestley wants to promote ____________________________-.

Task 6C: The Theme of Age

Priestley challenges traditional age roles because, traditionally, young people are expected to respect and obey their elders. Eric and Sheila begin to challenge their parents’ values. By the end of the play, Eric and Sheila offer future hope. They represent the idea that society can change because they Inspector’s words have had an effect on them and they have developed a conscience.

What is Priestley suggesting about age?

1. Priestley challenges traditional age roles through ________________________________________________.

2. Priestley suggests that the younger generation will_______________________________________________.

7. VOCABULARY

Task 7B: Copy and complete the sentences.

Priestley presents Sybil Birling as prejudiced when she says ‘g________ of that c_______’, suggesting that she looks down on the w_________ c_________________.
Gerald Croft seems ashamed because...
Eric Birling is very ashamed because…
Sheila Birling is very ashamed because...
Arthur Birling arrogantly believes that he is far better than…
Arthur Birling seems arrogant because, even though other people think he behaved badly, he…
Arthur Birling seems irresponsible when he refuses…
Arthur Birling seems irresponsible when he won’t take any…
Sybil Birling seems irresponsible when she refuses to help…
Sybil Birling seems irresponsible when she refuses to take any..
Gerald Croft seems irresponsible when he allows an affair..
Gerald Croft seems irresponsible when he is happy to go back to celebrating after…
Sheila Birling shows she takes responsibility when…
Eric Birling shows he takes responsibility when...
The inspector is a very moral character, who wants…
The inspector is a very moral character, who tries to..
The inspector wants the Birlings to be more moral because…
The inspector wants the Birlings to be more responsible because…
Sybil Birling is unsympathetic when Eva …
Priestley makes clear there is inequality between…
Priestley criticises inequality between…
Inequality results in Eva Smith…
The Birlings are not affected by inequality because..
Eva Smith is affected by inequality because…
Priestley uses stage directions to indicate that the inspector should…
Priestley uses the opening stage directions to indicate that the Birlings are…
Priesltey uses dramatic irony when the audience learn before Sybil Birling does that…
Priestley creates a cliffhanger at the end of each…
Priestley creates a cliffhanger at the end of the play when…
Priestley creates tension when…

Task 7C: Provide as many examples as you can of characters being…

Arrogant
Ashamed
Responsible for others
Irresponsible, not caring for others
Taking responsibility
Taking no responsibility
Unsympathetic
Prejudiced
Hypocritical
Moral
Capitalist

8. ESSAY PRACTICE

Task 8A: Write down three quotations you could use for each essay question.

Sheila learns the most in An Inspector Calls’. Explore how far you agree with this statement.
How and why does Eric change in An Inspector Calls?
In what ways does Priestley make the relationship between Sheila Birling and Gerald Croft such an important part of the play?
How does Priestley explore the difference in attitudes between older and younger generations in An Inspector Calls?
At the start of the play, Arthur Birling tells Eric and Gerald: ‘a man has to mind his own business and look after himself’. How does Priestley present ideas about self interest in the play?
How does Priestley use the character of Sybil to explore ideas about morality in An Inspector Calls?
How does Priestley use the character of the Inspector to suggest ways that society could be improved?

Task 8B: Write three topic sentences for each essay question.

Sheila learns the most in An Inspector Calls’. Explore how far you agree with this statement.
How and why does Eric change in An Inspector Calls?
In what ways does Priestley make the relationship between Sheila Birling and Gerald Croft such an important part of the play?
How does Priestley explore the difference in attitudes between older and younger generations in An Inspector Calls?
At the start of the play, Arthur Birling tells Eric and Gerald: ‘a man has to mind his own business and look after himself’. How does Priestley present ideas about self interest in the play?
How does Priestley use the character of Sybil to explore ideas about morality in An Inspector Calls?
How does Priestley use the character of the Inspector to suggest ways that society could be improved?

Task 8C: Rewrite these sentences so that it’s clear you know Priestley has created these characters. Each time, you need to add Priestley’s name into each sentence. The first has been done for you as an example.

Sheila Birling states ‘I started it’.

Priestley has Sheila Birling state: ‘I started it’.

Eric Birling describes the circumstances in which he met Eva Smith as ‘hellish’.
Sybil Birling describes working class girls as ‘girls of that class’.
Sybil Birling seems prejudiced when she says ‘girls of that class’.
It is clear that Arthur Birling is a very selfish character.
Arthur Birling refuses a pay rise, which is selfish.
The inspector enters at the very moment Arthur Birling is boasting about how well he runs his business.
The inspector enters at this moment in order to interrupt Arthur Birling’s selfish, capitalist ways.

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