Insightful exploratory response to task Insightful exploratory response to text Close analysis of detail to support interpretation Evaluation on the writer’s use of language and/or

structure and effect on audience Convincing/imaginative interpretation of

ideas/themes

Mr. Frammingham (characters) & Mrs. Griffifths (themes) will be offering further support on AIC on Tuesdays

Mr. Gooda will be offering an early introduction to Wikispaces on Wednesday after school (Wikispace Wednesday in E1). I’ll be putting all resources and a selection of past exams on Wikispaces leading up to the exam. I feel this will be valuable

I’ll also be offering drop in sessions every day from here to the literature exams for anyone who would like extra support from 3:00-4:30

Please let me know if you’re planning on taking advantage of these sessions

Everything we discuss today (and in subsequent lessons) will be available for your revision needs in the Wikispace

It’s more important that you jot down the most important information but do not feel the need to write everything down

It’s better to follow the discussion rather than fill your sheets with notes

What’s still to come in 1912? World War I Titanic Crash Rise of Russia Labour Unrest

◦ Why set it there though? JBP is trying to challenge the audience about

what the future holds if they do not learn from the past

Stifling environment◦ Run by out of touch hypocrites◦ Represented by Aldermann Meggarty◦ This is the opposite of the American Dream. There

was no hope of transcending your station through traditional means (hard work)

1945◦ Labour had just won the general election in a

landslide and focussed on improving the welfare system

◦ NHS created in 1948

Priestley’s idea of a perfect 1910s middle-class family◦ Father is a successful businessman◦ Mother works hard to keep up the family’s reputation in the

community◦ Son works for father in the family business◦ Daughter engaged to the son of their competitor

This should improve the business because the two companies could merge in the future

Not everything is as it seems◦ Gerald’s family is more established and socially superior

Reveals the insecurity in Arthur Birling◦ Sheila Birling (Arthur’s social superior) corrects him on his

social graces Reveals further insecurity in Arthur Birling

◦Could explain his long speeches and self-congratulating nature

Heavy-looking, rather portentous man in his middle fifties but rather provincial in his speech◦ Heavy-looking – over indulgent◦ Portentous – Threatening◦ Provincial – Small town, crude, rural, unpolished

There’s irony here. The more he talks and brags, he thinks he’s helping himself but he’s just exposing his secondary status with every word he speaks

Proud of his achievements◦ Mayor, golfs with dignitaries, in-line for a

knighthood? He’s in Gerald’s father’s shadow

◦ “exactly the same port your father gets” He is Sybil’s social inferior – This could easily explain

his obsession with climbing the social ladder “One of the happiest nights of my life”

◦ Sheila’s happiness or the merger with Crofts Unlimited?

Silly little war scares Juvenile adjectives highlight his foolishness

when paired with Dramatic Irony◦ “We’re in for a time of steadily increasing

prosperity” There was an economic downturn that led into

WWI

◦ “The Germans don’t want war. Nobody wants war… Everything to lose and nothing to gain by war… I say there isn’t a chance of war. The world’s developing so fast it’ll make war impossible.”

◦ The Titanic… unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable Link between the unsinkable Titanic and his perfectly

structured family◦ Let’s say in 1940… you’ll be living in a world that’ll have

forgotten all these Capital versus Labour agitations and silly little war scares Rise of Bolshevikism, the social welfare state, WWII,

The general strike

There’ll be peace and prosperity and rapid progress everywhere – except of course in Russia, which will always be behindhand naturally

Rise of the Soviets as a Superpower The Titanic Speech predates the “Every

Man for Himself” motto◦ Why?

When the Inspector shows up he’s repeatedly referred to as impatient (11 & 12)◦ Likes to be in control of the conversation (see his early

speeches) He’s extremely selfish

◦ Worries about the press getting a hold of the story◦ Accuses Sheila of disloyalty – The truth is a pliable (if at all

relevant) concept◦ Plans on covering up Eric’s crimes

Doesn’t really blink at rape or suicide but stealing from the company is a no-no

◦ Key theme – Loyalty vs. Honesty

Birling shouts out negative statements to others’ opinions (“Rubbish”), however he finishes his own sentences with positive reinforcers (“of course”)

Authority is undermined throughout the play◦ Mrs. Birling, Sheila, The Inspector, Eric, even the

strikers (in a sense) Never learns his lesson. He’s momentarily downtrodden

when he’s accountable but then when he thinks he’s off the hook he downplays his prior remorse

Blames the inspector for making a “nasty mess” of the night’s celebrations

“But take my word for it, you youngsters - and I've learnt in the good hard school of experience - that a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own - and – ◦ We hear sharp ring of a front doorbell

Now look at the pair of them – the famous younger generation who know it all. And they can’t even take a joke—◦ Telephone rings sharply. A moment’s complete silence

Yes?... Mr. Birling speaking… what?- Here—◦ But obviously the other person has rung off

About fifty, a rather cold woman and her husband’s social superior

This would cause friction in the relationship between herself and Arthur

This is somewhat mirrored in Birling’s desire to explain away Sheila’s social deficit to Gerald

Her speech is much more composed and proper that Arthur’s◦Less colloquialisms

She corrects Birling◦ “(Reproachfully) – Arthur, you’re not supposed to say such things

“Supposed” suggests behaviour is dictated by etiquette, Fits in with her entire outlook on life

She’s a snob – Snobby Sybil◦ Victorian/Edwardian life is about etiquette, clothing and social graces

She show the least respect of anyone to the Inspector◦ Tries to intimidate him (QUOTE)◦ Lies to him about recognizing the photograph

Denies the obvious – Lies to herself (Why?)◦ Eric’s drinking◦ Gerald’s affair◦ That a working class girl would refuse money

Still speaks down to Sheila and Eric ‘Children’ ◦ Patronizing them, infantilizes them◦ Answers on their behalf

She simply cannot empathize with Eva’s situation◦ Too hardened by status and reputation (upper class

are important and to be worried about, lower classes are not)

◦ Remember, she’s the highest rated person in the room socially

Had the final chance to help Eva/Daisy and refused it◦ If anything, this should create an emotional

response in Mrs B but it doesn’t Counterpoints Sheila & Eric’s emotional responses

IG tricks her by having her attack the father of Eva’s baby. He allows her class prejudice and pride to be her downfall◦ “He should be made an example of (48)◦ “If the girl’s death is due to anybody, then it’s due to

him (48)◦ “He ought to be dealt with very severely- (48)

Interesting that here Sheila is screaming “Mother – stop – stop!”

◦ “Find this young man and then make sure that he’s compelled to confess in public his responsibility (48)”

◦ “I don’t believe it. I won’t believe it…

Overrules her husband’s desire that she stays out of the room when discussing Eric and the theft◦ Overriding the Patriarchal society of Edwardian

England but re-establishes her role as the social better

Obvious irony that Sybil is in charge of a charity◦ A woman without empathy gets to use her

authority to decide who is/isn’t worthy of assistance

Stage Directions reveal the true Sybil◦ Very sharply, and bitterly (Suggests coldness)◦ Haughtily, Triumphantly (Suggest smugness)◦ At the end (before the phone rings) she’s

smiling End of the Play – She’s come to terms with

social penalties by association but refuses to accept responsibility for Eva’s Death

Gender◦ Sybil, Eva/Daisy, Sheila (role of women)◦ Mr. Birling/Mrs. Birling/Sheila (men vs. women)

Class◦ Sybil & Arthur, Eva, Eric & Sheila (Rich, Poor,

Hybrid) Social Responsibility

◦ Public Men & Women, The Helpless, The Social Conscience

Honesty vs. Loyalty vs. Duty

Insightful exploratory response to task Insightful exploratory response to text Close analysis of detail to support interpretation Evaluation on the writer’s use of language and/or

structure and effect on audience Convincing/imaginative interpretation of

ideas/themes