A WELL-MADE PLAYA WELL-MADE PLAY

Thursday 20 April 2023Thursday 20 April 2023

Exam format:Exam format: A “passage” question worth 10 marks – A “passage” question worth 10 marks –

your spoken language CA might be useful your spoken language CA might be useful here…here…

A critical essay from a choice of two, worth A critical essay from a choice of two, worth 20 marks.20 marks.

PEE and close analysis is vital in the PEE and close analysis is vital in the passage.passage.

Embedded quotation is needed in the Embedded quotation is needed in the essay.essay.

An Inspector CallsAn Inspector Calls

What is a “well-made play”?What is a “well-made play”?

The description is generally thought to The description is generally thought to refer to two elements of the play:refer to two elements of the play:

1.1. The progression from ignorance to The progression from ignorance to knowledge not only of the characters, but knowledge not only of the characters, but also of the audience.also of the audience.

2.2. The unity of time and space within the The unity of time and space within the playplay

Ignorance to Knowledge:Ignorance to Knowledge: Unlike many Shakespearean plays, we are not Unlike many Shakespearean plays, we are not

in the world of dramatic irony here in the sense in the world of dramatic irony here in the sense of the plot. However…of the plot. However…

The references to war and the Titanic are the The references to war and the Titanic are the exceptions and foreshadow what will happenexceptions and foreshadow what will happen

The audience may guess what is coming, just as The audience may guess what is coming, just as Sheila Birling does, but in essence, we Sheila Birling does, but in essence, we knowknow no no more than the characters.more than the characters.

Each character has their own journey to Each character has their own journey to knowledge. We need to consider how the knowledge. We need to consider how the inspector comes to be so well informed about inspector comes to be so well informed about everyone.everyone.

PoliticsPolitics

Priestley was a committed socialist. Note Priestley was a committed socialist. Note that the play was premiered in Moscow – that the play was premiered in Moscow – why would the storyline have appealed to why would the storyline have appealed to Stalin’s Soviet Union?Stalin’s Soviet Union?

Goole and Birling are both given political Goole and Birling are both given political speeches during the play. Sum up their speeches during the play. Sum up their standpoints with references to speeches standpoints with references to speeches on pp6-7. 14-16, 56.on pp6-7. 14-16, 56.

Whodunnit?Whodunnit?

As the plot unravels, we are hooked and As the plot unravels, we are hooked and wish to find out more. Each scene adds to wish to find out more. Each scene adds to our knowledge. But:our knowledge. But:

There is no outcome, no Poirot-like There is no outcome, no Poirot-like denouement.denouement.

Instead we are left with the knowledge that Instead we are left with the knowledge that all will repeat itself until the characters see all will repeat itself until the characters see the error of their ways. Why?the error of their ways. Why?

MORALITY play?MORALITY play?

Morality/Mystery playMorality/Mystery play

Medieval plays to teach the Bible to an Medieval plays to teach the Bible to an illiterate mass.illiterate mass.

Clear presentations of allegorical Clear presentations of allegorical characters.characters.

Present a battle between good and evil for Present a battle between good and evil for possession of the human soul.possession of the human soul.

Characters also represent sins who fight for Characters also represent sins who fight for the soul of Man, protected by God…the soul of Man, protected by God…

Greed, Pride, Lust, Envy…Greed, Pride, Lust, Envy…

Mum and DadMum and Dad

By turns obnoxious and grand, the parents By turns obnoxious and grand, the parents struggle to cope on many levels.struggle to cope on many levels.

Mr Birling is an unashamed advocate of Mr Birling is an unashamed advocate of Capitalism in its rawest state. Not above threats Capitalism in its rawest state. Not above threats and bluster, his realisation, if it ever comes, is and bluster, his realisation, if it ever comes, is too little, too late. Even in Act 3 he is talking too little, too late. Even in Act 3 he is talking about covering up Eric’s theft of money. His about covering up Eric’s theft of money. His bluster and anger is contrasted with the calm bluster and anger is contrasted with the calm and and massivemassive way that the inspector takes way that the inspector takes control.control.

What do we understand of his foresight in Act 1?What do we understand of his foresight in Act 1?

““Mummy dearest…”Mummy dearest…”

Insulted by the “theft” of her name, she Insulted by the “theft” of her name, she rejects Eva, despite the fact that she is rejects Eva, despite the fact that she is pregnant.pregnant.

Unable to see what is coming she Unable to see what is coming she advocates Eric’s downfalladvocates Eric’s downfall

Dominant at home she treats Sheila as a Dominant at home she treats Sheila as a child and seeks to intimidate her and the child and seeks to intimidate her and the inspector.inspector.

SheilaSheila Seems to realise early on. Why?Seems to realise early on. Why? Seems to almost be on Goole’s “side” as the Seems to almost be on Goole’s “side” as the

story develops.story develops. Hurt by Gerald, she has the capacity to Hurt by Gerald, she has the capacity to

understand – she tells him that she does not understand – she tells him that she does not “dislike” him and takes responsibility for her “dislike” him and takes responsibility for her actions.actions.

““We often do on the young ones, they’re more We often do on the young ones, they’re more impressionable” –Inspector Act 2. In what ways impressionable” –Inspector Act 2. In what ways does Sheila fit this description?does Sheila fit this description?

Has Goole’s visit worked for Sheila?Has Goole’s visit worked for Sheila?

GERALDGERALD Socially superior – who are his parents and what do they Socially superior – who are his parents and what do they

make of the engagement?make of the engagement? Seems to share Birling’s outlook on life.Seems to share Birling’s outlook on life. His affair: boys will be boys or something else?His affair: boys will be boys or something else? Did Sheila know all along?Did Sheila know all along? Consider his description of “Alderman Meggarty”.Consider his description of “Alderman Meggarty”. He is able to advise Mrs B. how to behave in front of the He is able to advise Mrs B. how to behave in front of the

inspector –once again, are we to believe that youth inspector –once again, are we to believe that youth confers some form of teachability?confers some form of teachability?

Consider his explanation on pp66-67. Why does Priestly Consider his explanation on pp66-67. Why does Priestly write this here?write this here?

Little EricLittle Eric Weak and treated like a child. Refuge is found Weak and treated like a child. Refuge is found

in alcohol. How early does he guess? Pg 22, in alcohol. How early does he guess? Pg 22, wants to go to bed… why?wants to go to bed… why?

Can we find evidence of Birling treating him like Can we find evidence of Birling treating him like a little boy?a little boy?

Is he “likeable”? Consider his own description of Is he “likeable”? Consider his own description of his treatment of Eva. “I was in that state when a his treatment of Eva. “I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty”.chap easily turns nasty”.

Pg 57 conversation between Birling and Eric. Pg 57 conversation between Birling and Eric. Who has learnt from the visit? What have they Who has learnt from the visit? What have they learnt?learnt?

GhoulGhoul

Or should I say Goole?Or should I say Goole? Does he seem to be enjoying himself? Does he seem to be enjoying himself?

Justify your opinion. Justify your opinion. Answers RQs, constantly re-emphasises the ghastliness of the deathAnswers RQs, constantly re-emphasises the ghastliness of the death

Massively powerful, he seems to dominate Massively powerful, he seems to dominate easily.easily.

Where does his knowledge come from?Where does his knowledge come from? Is he real? If not, what is he?Is he real? If not, what is he?

A real inspector?A real inspector?

““It doesn’t much matter now, of course –but was It doesn’t much matter now, of course –but was he really a police inspector?” Sheila pg 58he really a police inspector?” Sheila pg 58

Does it matter?Does it matter?

Are you with Sheila and Eric or with Mr and Mrs Are you with Sheila and Eric or with Mr and Mrs Birling on this point?Birling on this point?

The Birlings seem obsessed with appearances – The Birlings seem obsessed with appearances – how does this tie in with Goole? Consider how does this tie in with Goole? Consider Sheila on pg 65.Sheila on pg 65.