an inspector calls - language and style

8/11/2019 An Inspector Calls - Language and Style

1/41

Language and Style in

An Inspector Calls

For IGCSE English Literature

Mr Elkin-Jones, Late November 2011

[email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


2/41

This PowerPoint will not

Tell you the plot

Describe characters

Let you sit there and say

nothingengage!

Go over what you

should ready know

Replace the re-readingand general revision

you need to do


3/41

Style: articulate critical concepts

The struggle between the embattled patriarch ArthurBirling and Inspector Goole has been interpreted bymany critics as a symbolic confrontation betweencapitalism and socialism, and arguably demonstratesPriestley's Socialist political critique of the selfishnessand moral hypocrisy of middle-class capitalist society.

While no single member of the Birling family is solelyresponsible for Eva's death, together they function as ahermetic class system who exploit neglected vulnerable

women, with each example of exploitation leadingcollectively to Eva's social exclusion, despair and suicide.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Inspector_Calls

The play also arguably acts as a critique of Victorian-era

notions of middle-class philanthropy towards the poor,

which is based on presumptions of the charity-givers'

social superiority and severe moral judgement towards

the "deserving poor". The romantic idea of gentlemanly

chivalry towards "fallen women" is also debunked asbeing based on male lust and sexual exploitation of the

weak by the powerful. In Gooles final speech, Eva Smith

is referred to as a representative for millions of other

vulnerable working class people, and can be read as a

call to action for English society to take more

responsibility for working class people, pre-figuring the

development of the post World War II welfare state.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Inspector_Callshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Inspector_Calls


4/41


5/41


6/41


7/41

The action of the play is set in 1912 before the outbreak of the First World

War. Because it was written at the end of the Second World War in 1944 itoffers a clear comparison of the world at these two crucial moments inhistory. In 1944 people were questioning whether they wished to return to aworld of Edwardian style values or break out and create a new world.Priestley was one of the foremost advocates of political and social changefrom the 1930s right up to the end of the Second World War.

By what are style and theme shaped?


8/41

Bywhat are language and style shaped? 2

The Inspector is the centralfigure in the play.

Ask yourself who he is andwhere he comes from.

Has he come back in timefrom 1944 to try and givethe Birlings the opportunityto share their guilt; acceptresponsibility; and change

and improve the spiral oftheir lives?

Is this the authors voice?


9/41

Priestleys experience, visionand thus style

Born in Bradford in 1894 Priestley was areforming patriot who had an instinctiveunderstanding of the less fortunate andbelieved passionately in social justice.

He was never a member of a political party,but described himself as more or less a left-wing intellectual and a socialist of the oldstyle.

Living in Bradford he saw at first hand theconsequence of a class of people workinglong underpaid hours, living in squalid,crowded housing along dirty streets. OfBradford he once wrote:

I watched the smoke thicken and themillionaires who made it ride away. Isaw broken old women creep back tothe mills, and young men witherbecause there was no work for them todo and nobody wanted them. I saw thesaddest waste of all, the waste ofhuman life.

Source: http://www.jbpriestley-society.com/education.html
http://www.jbpriestley-society.com/education.htmlhttp://www.jbpriestley-society.com/education.htmlhttp://www.jbpriestley-society.com/education.htmlhttp://www.jbpriestley-society.com/education.html


10/41


11/41

Styles of Speech: which character uses which

and when do they change?

Referential: utterances that provide information.

Expressive: utterances that express the speakersfeelings.

Transactional:utterances where the main purpose isto get something done or acquire something.

Interactional:utterances where the main emphasisis on the social relationship between the

participants. Phatic: utterances devoid ofany serious content

small talk, usually conducted with strangers orpeople only slightly known.


12/41

The language of Inspector: 1

INSPECTORS FINAL SPEECH, Act 3, pg 56

But just remember this. Once EvaSmith has gone but there aremillions and millions and millions ofEva Smiths and John Smiths still leftwith us, with their lives, their hopesand fears, their suffering andchance of happiness, all intertwinedwith our lives and what we thinkand say and do. We dont live alone.We are members of one body. Weare responsible for one another.And I tell you that the time will soon

come when, if men will not learnthat lesson, then they will be taughtit in fire and blood and anguish.Good night.

Feels like a speech Does not feel spontaneous but deliberate It is both Referential(utterances that

provide information) and Expressive(utterances that express the speakersfeelings).

Compare with Romans 1, v about 13 stylein KJV

Compare with style of Christ in GospelAccording to St Luke or St Mark (I tell youthe truthI tell you now)

Assertion Simple use of conjunctions: and Simple language Multi-layered extended metaphor: John

Smiths like the John Bull of C18th satire Simple sentencecomplex sentencex3

simple sentencesfinal complex sentencefinal salutationwhich feels like itshould be the end of the play, and is, inthe literal mode

Then the metaphysical coda truly beings:they slips back in attitude (and time?)

Then the real inspector of the inevitablepresent comes to callplay ends oncliffhanger.


13/41

The Language of Sheila

But these girls arentcheap labourtheyre

people. (p19)

I couldnt be sorry for

her. Account of Sheilas

treatment of Eva Smith.

I behaved badly too. I

know I did. Im ashamedof it.


14/41

Mr Burling

a man has to make his

own wayhas to look

after himself. (p9)

She has a lot to say fartoo muchso she had to

go.

Still, I cant accept any

responsibility.


15/41

Mrs Burling

I must say, we are

learning something

tonight (p35)

Go and look for thefather of the child. Its his

responsibility.

I did nothing Im

ashamed of or wont bear

investigation.


16/41

Erics Language

Suddenly, I felt I just had

to laugh. (p3)

Oh my God how stupid

it all is!Its what happened to

the girl and what we all

did to hear that matters.


17/41

Style: philosophical interest in timePriestley was influenced by the Russian mystic

philosopher Peter Ouspensky( (1878-1947).Ouspensky believed in the theory of eternalrecurrence.

This is a theory that holds to the concept thatthe universe has been recurring, and willcontinue to recur in a self-similar form aninfinite number of times (everything happensagain and again and again).

Ouspensky believed that our time on theplanet was spent travelling along an ever-recurring spiral and that the aim of allindividuals should be to change and improvethis spiral and stop making the same oldmistakes.

In all our lives we are presented withopportunities to learn and change and

therefore swing out in a new direction.The Inspector comes back from the future orfrom some place outside time to offer theBirlings an opportunity to changeanopportunity they appear not to take.

In the end they have learned nothing and sowill have to go through it all over again.

For more information about Peter Ouspensky click here: www.ouspensky.info
http://www.ouspensky.info/http://www.ouspensky.info/


18/41

Style, genre and critical evaluation

After the new wave of social realist theatre in the 1950sand 1960s, the play fell out of fashion, and was dismissedas an example of outdated bourgeois "drawing room"dramas, and became a staple of regional repertory theatre.

Following several successful revivals (including StephenDaldry's 1992 production for the National Theatre), the playwas rediscovered and hailed as a damning social critiqueof capitalism and middle-class hypocrisy in the manner ofthe social realist dramas of Shaw and Ibsen.

It has been read as a parable about the destruction of

Victorian social values and the disintegration of pre-WorldWar I English society, and Gooles final speech has beeninterpreted variously as a quasi-Christian vision of hell andjudgement, and as a Socialist party manifesto.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Inspector_Calls
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Daldryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Daldryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_National_Theatrehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Inspector_Callshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Inspector_Callshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_National_Theatrehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Daldryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Daldry


19/41

Paper 1Literature exam: AIC and

OMAN

Paper 1 (70%): Drama and Prose

Taken by all students

Section A: Drama

Section B: Prose

Students must answer ONE question from each

section.

Choice of TWO questions for each text in bothsections.

Texts not to be taken into examination.


20/41

Can we predict the question types?

Exam question guide:

Paper 1 - Drama & Prose

Questions tend to follow a set pattern: (a) One question usually focuses on

characterisation

(b) The other question examines anothercentral aspect of the play:

theme or social/cultural setting


21/41

What are they marking for?

Assessment Objectives and Weightings

Assessment Objectives Percentage within the IGCSE

AO1 33%

A close knowledge of texts and the contexts inwhich

they were written

AO2 33%

Understanding and appreciation

of authors uses of the following

as appropriate: characterisation,

narrative, plot, setting and language

AO3 33%

A focused, sensitive, lively and

informed personal response to texts


22/41


23/41

And

AO2

Students who gain an A* show a sensitive, matureand critical understanding and appreciation of

themes, events, techniques, structure,characterisation and language in the text whereappropriate; show evidence of sophistication inappreciation of writers craft; show confidence in

using technical vocabulary in analysis of text anddemonstrate analytical interpretative skills.


24/41

Is there more?!

AO3

Write with a clear focus on the terms of the

question; write clearly identifiable points which

show insight and originality; convey ideas

confidently and with conviction and

demonstrate an informed and well argued

personal response.


25/41

Show me a typical exam question

This isnt from An Inspector Calls, so work out what it wants from students:

A View from the Bridge:

How successful does Miller present two or more male characters in

the play?

Or

In what ways does Miller present the difficulties experienced by

illegal immigrants in the play?

Why do questions like these invitejudgement and a personal response?


26/41

Can you show me an A* AIC answer?

Well, a bit later I will..but for now.


27/41

Heres an A* for Of Mice and Men

Paper 1

Section B - Prose

Of Mice and Men:

In what ways is the friendship between George andLennie presented in this novel?

With a partner, examine extract C to this question.

1.List the top three strengths in this response.

2.How are students taught the skills needed to respondin such a way?


28/41

Answer: part 1

Steinbeck presents George and Lennies significant friendship in the firstsection of the novel, one that is incomparable with any other. This centraltheme is explored through George and Lennies relationship, introduced tothe reader as one that is beyond compare, we got a future, although, theyare very different companions. They look, converse and behave verydifferently, behind him walked his opposite; despite this, they continue totravel around together and look after one another, because I got you tolook after me and you got me to look after you. Steinbeck presents a

poignant portrayal of two men that strangely, complement one another.The reader quickly becomes conscious, that George is Lennies minder,Lennie tags along behind Georgeand even in the open one stayed

behind the other; like a guardian George is thoughtful and watches out forhim and both praises and encourages Lennie to make him feel content and

at ease, Good boy. Thats swell. George knows him well; he knows whenLennie is up to no good. Lennie is meant to be collecting firewood beforethey eat; George instinctively knows he has returned to the river to look forhis dead mouse, George stopped whistling and listenedGeorge held outhis hand


29/41


30/41

Questions on An Inspector Calls

These questions should give you further ideas about preparing and revisingfor the examination. You may wish to practise answering to time (50

minutes), or producing a plan and short quotations for an examination

answer. Remember the following points about your answer:

Focus on the wording and requirements of the question. Plan the structure of your answer, with opening and closing paragraphs and

perhaps four or five other paragraphs.

Link your sections together in a logical way, using clear signpost words like

therefore and however.

Introduce short, embedded quotations.

Show how you yourself have responded to and engaged with the play.


31/41

A grade answer: An Inspector Calls

As a character, Sheila certainly changes and develops greatly during thecourse of the play and this makes her particularly interesting for the

audience. At first, she seems frivolous and flippant when faced by the

Inspector, and comes across as very immature in her approach. When

he mentions Milwards, she begins commenting archly to Gerald about

her wedding again. Although she does seem concerned about the girl,the audience is shown that she has a temperamental attitude by her

having Smith fired in the first place. After she sees the picture, however,

her attitude changes. She lets out a half-stifled sob and admits herself

to have behaved wrongly almost immediately. This shows that she has

a compassionate side to her character and a sense of conscience. She

says to Eric Ill never do it again to anybody, showing that she has

been affected and accepts a degree of responsibility. She is also very

receptive to the Inspectors influence. She exclaims to Gerald: Why he

knows, of course he knows!, perhaps indicating that she is more

susceptible to being changed than the other characters.


32/41

A grade answer An Inspector Calls 2By the end of the play, Sheila could be said to be a reformed

character. She is keenly aware of what she has done and haslearned from her actions. When she discovers the Inspectors

deception, she says I suppose were all nice people now,

ironically, which shows that she understands that the moral

consequences of her actions reach beyond the consequences that

apply directly and only to her and her family, such as the arrest ofEric. In this way she proves that she has developed over the

course of the play. This change stands as a striking contrast to the

other characters, most of whom have clearly learned nothing.

When Sybil is asked why they shouldnt behave just as they did

before, she replies Well, why not? This strikes the audience as aparticularly unfeeling remark, as though she is still denying that

her actions have been at all wrong. Gerald even offers Sheila her

ring back, as if he had not had an affair. In this way the older

characters show that they have not developed or changed, while

Sheila clearly has..


33/41

A grade answer An Inspector Calls 3

.

However, there is another character who learnsand changes during the course of the playEric. From having quite an unformed

personality he also shows that he is penitent by

the end of the play. While the others are talkingabout whether their reputation is in danger, Ericcuts in with The girls still dead, isnt she? Ashe says, Ill never forget, he shows that thewhole affair has changed him. He therefore

rivals Sheila in complexity of character.


34/41


By the end of the play, Sheila could be said to be a reformed character.She is keenly aware of what she has done and has learned from her

actions. When she discovers the Inspectors deception, she says I

suppose were all nice people now, ironically, which shows that she

understands that the moral consequences of her actions reach beyond

the consequences that apply directly and only to her and her family,

such as the arrest of Eric. In this way she proves that she has developedover the course of the play. This change stands as a striking contrast to

the other characters, most of whom have clearly learned nothing.

When Sybil is asked why they shouldnt behave just as they did before,

she replies Well, why not? This strikes the audience as a particularly

unfeeling remark, as though she is still denying that her actions havebeen at all wrong. Gerald even offers Sheila her ring back, as if he had

not had an affair. In this way the older characters show that they have

not developed or changed, while Sheila clearly has.


35/41


However, there is another character wholearns and changes during the course of theplay Eric. From having quite an unformedpersonality he also shows that he is penitentby the end of the play. While the others aretalking about whether their reputation is indanger, Eric cuts in with The girls still dead,isnt she? As he says, Ill never forget, heshows that the whole affair has changed him.

He therefore rivals Sheila in complexity ofcharacter.

ENDS.


36/41

Questions on An Inspector Calls

These questions should give you further ideas about preparing andrevising for the examination. You may wish to practise answering totime (50 minutes), or producing a plan and short quotations for anexamination answer. Remember the following points about youranswer:

Focus on the wording and requirements of the question. Plan the structure of your answer, with opening and closing

paragraphs and perhaps four or five other paragraphs.

Link your sections together in a logical way, using clear signpostwords like therefore and however.

Introduce short, embedded quotations. Show how you yourself have responded to and engaged with the

play.

Source: IGCSE Literature student book, Cd-Rom


37/41

4 typical IGCSE questions on

An Inspector Calls

1. How far does your view of Eric Birling change during the

play?

2. What methods does J B Priestley use to create tension and

drama in the play?

3. The setting of the engagement party is important to the

plot and structure of the play. How far do you agree with

this statement?

4. Do you think that Inspector Goole persuades the othercharacters about their responsibility for others?

Source: IGCSE Literature student book, Cd-Rom


38/41

Links you ought to look at

What do the postures of the actors in these production images tell you?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-end#/?picture=353561505&index=8

Abbreviated review of this production: so, do the Edwardian toffs get theircomeuppance?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2009/sep/28/an-inspector-calls-review?intcmp=239

Mini- TV documentary about a different play by J.B. Priestley: are there relatedthemes?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/video/2009/may/06/jb-priestley-rupert-goold-time-

conways?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487

For the intellectually lazy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Inspector_Calls
http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2009/sep/28/an-inspector-calls-review?intcmp=239http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/video/2009/may/06/jb-priestley-rupert-goold-time-conways?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/video/2009/may/06/jb-priestley-rupert-goold-time-conways?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Inspector_Callshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Inspector_Callshttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/video/2009/may/06/jb-priestley-rupert-goold-time-conways?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/video/2009/may/06/jb-priestley-rupert-goold-time-conways?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/video/2009/may/06/jb-priestley-rupert-goold-time-conways?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/video/2009/may/06/jb-priestley-rupert-goold-time-conways?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/video/2009/may/06/jb-priestley-rupert-goold-time-conways?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/video/2009/may/06/jb-priestley-rupert-goold-time-conways?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/video/2009/may/06/jb-priestley-rupert-goold-time-conways?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/video/2009/may/06/jb-priestley-rupert-goold-time-conways?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/video/2009/may/06/jb-priestley-rupert-goold-time-conways?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/video/2009/may/06/jb-priestley-rupert-goold-time-conways?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/video/2009/may/06/jb-priestley-rupert-goold-time-conways?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2009/sep/28/an-inspector-calls-review?intcmp=239http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2009/sep/28/an-inspector-calls-review?intcmp=239http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2009/sep/28/an-inspector-calls-review?intcmp=239http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2009/sep/28/an-inspector-calls-review?intcmp=239http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2009/sep/28/an-inspector-calls-review?intcmp=239http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2009/sep/28/an-inspector-calls-review?intcmp=239http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2009/sep/28/an-inspector-calls-review?intcmp=239http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-end


39/41

Links you ought to look at: 2

The obligatory BBC Bitesize websiteit has all the answers, so do yourself a favour...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english_literature/dramainspectorcalls/

Learn some contextual information about the author at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._B._Priestley

Why is it that this play is so well regarded, if he wrote so many other things?

http://www.jbpriestley-society.com/education.html

So you need a decent interactive website: video, music, decent photos and a scare?

http://www.aninspectorcalls.com/

Get some freebies to gave your exam grade!

http://www.aninspectorcalls.com//pdf/insp_pack_new.pdf
http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._B._Priestleyhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.aninspectorcalls.com//pdf/insp_pack_new.pdfhttp://www.aninspectorcalls.com//pdf/insp_pack_new.pdfhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._B._Priestleyhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-endhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/gallery/2009/sep/29/stephen-daldry-an-inspector-calls-west-end


40/41


41/41

an inspector calls - language and style

Documents