Context 1945• Priestley WW2 reporter with a

regular radio programme• WW2 - women had work

responsibilities, more class integration in the forces and working in England

• WW2 – Churchhill’s effective persuasive speeches that were broadcast to the nation (‘We will fight them…’)

• WW2 – the atomic bomb (‘Fire, blood and anguish’)

• England needs rebuilding after the devastation caused by German bombing

• Opportunity for social change – Priestley (a socialist) hopes for a more egalitarian society (ie equal)

Context 1912• English society dominated by class

structure which has old money at the top, followed by new money (industrialists) and the poor, working class at the bottom

• There was no social security for the working class

• There was no national health service

• Working people had no rights and no trade unions to support them in the work place

• Industrialisation was on the increase and with it came capitalism (working for individual riches and power – profit over people)

I want to write a play that will persuade people in 1945 (and hopefully for later

generations too) that a selfish capitalist attitude leads only to misery and

anguish and that the future of England depends on a society in which people take responsibility for each other. We have an opportunity for change now that the war

is over and we must use it to make positive change.

How can I get my

message across?

In the red corner: The Voice for social responsibility

Strong, powerful, honest, persuasive

In the blue corner: The Voice of selfish capitalism

Vain, selfish, narrow-minded, dishonest, ridiculous

Where can I create my boxing ring?

Who will be my voices?

Mr Birling

A ‘hard-headed man of business’

‘portentious’ ‘provincial’

‘There isn’t a change of war’‘Titanic is unsinkable’

Inspector Goole‘Commanding’‘takes control’

All seeing/all knowing - omniscient

‘We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other’

‘taught it in fire, blood and anguish’

1912

Class Capitalism

Responsibility Time

Gender

Dining roomNorthern

industrial townRich business man and his

family

Celebrating – life is good (for them)

Lies

• Plot:

Rich (self-made) business man and his family are feeling really great about their successful lives and are celebrating his daughter’s engagement in their dining room full of the trappings of money

A stranger – a commanding man with power and influence (who better than a Police Inspector) breaks up their celebration and makes them face the truth of their selfish attitudes

HOW? A YOUNG GIRL HAS COMMITED SUICIDE – desperate as she has no job, no money, no family and is pregnant. She is poor, working-class and represents the society that this family stamp on in order to have their luxurious lifestyle.

Everyone in the family has played some kind of role in destroying this innocent girl’s live

Team RedInspector Goole – social

responsibility/changeEva Smith/Daisy Renton – working class

Sheila Birling – youth and desire for change

Eric Birling – youth and desire for change

Team BlueMr Birling – Capitalism/selfishnessMrs Birling- Old money/snobbery

Gerald Croft- Capitalism/selfishness

Techniques

Dramatic techniques:

• Entrances and exits (timing)

• Dramatic irony• Lighting

• The photograph

Techniques

Inspector Goole’s persuasive voice

• Emotive language (a ‘horrible’ death’ etc)

• Repetition• Personal address• Anecdote

Stage directions

Dim pink lightingCandles

Dining roomHeavy, rich-looking

furniture

Act 1Summary:Birlings celebrating Sheila and Gerald’s engagement. Mr B giving them all a good talking too when party broken up by Inspector arriving(just as Mr B is giving his views on responsibility)GIRL HAS DIEDMr B had sacked her – will not accept responsibilitySheila – had caused her to be sacked from next job – she feels very guilty

Act 2It seems they are all involvedGerald Croft owns up to having had a relationship with Eva Smith (he knew her as Daisy Renton) (whilst going out with Sheila) He is very upset about her death. Mrs B had persuaded her charity not to help the poor and desperate Eva, but does not feel at all guilty – after all ‘girls of that class’ !Meanwhile, Eric is getting more drunk and worried all the time – he has to leave the room

Act 3Eric returnsHe had forced Eva to have sex with him, got her pregnant and then stolen money from his dad’s business to support her – he is feeling very guilty and ashamed

Eric and Sheila have been hugely influenced by the Inspector and want them all to face up to their responsibilities.

Inspector gives ‘fire, blood and anguish’ speech and leaves; but Mr B, Mrs B and GC will not accept their roles

Play ends with the phone ringing and Mr B being told that a girl has

died and an inspector is on his way over

Appearance Attitude to Eva

Responsibility Attitude to Inspector

Change

Inspector Goole

Mr Birling

Mrs Birling

Sheila

Eric

Gerald

Eva Smith