Lecture Notes: An Inspector Calls by Mr. Everything English

Overview

• The lecture covers the play "An Inspector Calls."
• Topics include key events, quotes, context (capitalism, socialism, Freud’s id, and patriarchy), past paper questions, and exam strategies.

Summary of Acts

Act 1

• Introduction to the Birling family: Mr. Birling, Mrs. Birling, and their children, Eric and Sheila.
• Engagement celebration for Sheila Birling and Gerald Croft.
• Mr. Birling is portrayed as a confident capitalist, ridiculed by dramatic irony (e.g., Titanic is "unsinkable").
• Inspector Goole arrives, introducing the investigation of Eva Smith’s death.

Act 2

• Inspector questions Gerald Croft, revealing his affair with Eva Smith (alias Daisy Renton).
• Sheila Birling gives back her engagement ring, indicating a shift in her character.
• Mrs. Birling's encounter with Eva Smith is scrutinized.
• Mrs. Birling suggests the father of Eva’s child is to blame, unknowingly implicating her son, Eric.

Act 3

• Eric Birling admits to his involvement and theft to support Eva Smith.
• Inspector Goole’s final monologue warns of social consequences if society doesn’t change.
• After Inspector leaves, the Birlings dismiss the lesson until they learn a real inspector is on the way.

Contextual Themes

Capitalism vs. Socialism

• Mr. Birling represents capitalism; Inspector Goole represents socialism.
• Tension between individualism (capitalism) and community (socialism).

Patriarchy

• Society dominated by men; women viewed as weaker and sexualized.
• Impact of combining capitalism and patriarchy is discussed.

Freud and the Id

• Characters governed by their desires and instincts (the id).
• Worship of money and power is a key drive.

Key Quotes

1. "A man has to make his own way..."

   • Shows capitalism; emphasizes self and money.
   • Reflects Mr. Birling's values and priorities.

2. "We are members of one body"

   • Represents socialism; emphasizes community and collective responsibility.

3. "Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable"

   • Demonstrates dramatic irony regarding the Titanic and capitalism.

4. "Young and fresh and charming"

   • Reflects patriarchal views; women as objects.

5. Stage Directions: "Sharp" and "Cutting in"

   • Inspector Goole’s impact and authority; disrupts Mr. Birling’s control.

Exam Strategy

• Spend 45 minutes: 5 minutes planning, 40 minutes writing.
• Focus on AO1 (points and quotes), AO2 (language, structure, form), AO3 (context).
• Plan for 4 paragraphs covering the above Assessment Objectives.

Past Paper Questions

• Examples from past exams include topics on character analysis (e.g., Mrs. Birling, Eric) and themes (e.g., social class, inequality).

Conclusion

• Full review of play, context, and strategies for answering exam questions effectively.
• Importance of understanding the text and its themes for doing well in exams.