"An Inspector Calls": Structuring CA

Clarifying Expectations

What do I expect from you

Careless Errors

Reviewing Easy Fixes

• A firm grasp of the question
• Basic spelling and grammar skills
• Author's name, play's title, character name
• Formal language
• No 'I' statements, no slang, no contractions
• Structured ideas
• Using the essay structure discussed in lesson
• Basic chronological order
• Linking to purpose and key ideas from unit
• allegory, capitalist, socialist, social responsibility

• Misunderstanding of question and inclusion of non-relevant information
• Describing the Inspector, Eva Smith, Mrs. Birling, Eric or Sheila
• Not focusing on Act 1
• Not spelling the author's name, the play's title or the character's name correctly
• Author Birling, Mr. B, Priestly, Inspector Calls
• Informal language
• In this essay I will, I think that, Mr. B would of thought in this quote
• Unclear structure
• Random points from different places in text, one sentence as a paragraph
• Spelling
• If you do not know how to spell a word, don't use it.

Mr. Birling's Interactions with other Characters

Mr. Birling's interactions with other characters demonstrates the social hierarchy in place within the time the play is set (1912). Mr. Birling attempts to impress Gerald, the son of Lord and Lady Croft who are noticeably absent from the engagement party. It is apparent that there is tension between the two families as a normal engagement party would include the parents of both families. Mr. Birling imitates the mannerisms of a Lord, both offering Gerald the same port wine his father has (insert quotation) and by treating him like one of the family (insert quotation). This is ironic as he, in fact, treats his family much worse than Gerald as it is apparent he does not find them worth impressing. Eric and Sheila are treated very coldly (insert quotation), but not as badly as the Inspector. It is clear that Mr. Birling resents the Inspector's questioning as it is a deliberate questioning of a social superior. This, Mr. Birling finds, is quite impertinent. He attempts to impress on the Inspector just how important he is within the community (insert quotation) in the hopes that this would sway the treatment he is receiving.

Why does this demonstrate JB Priestley's opinion of the upper classes?

An Inspector Calls: CA Review

This was the question I had on the board when you were making your notes:

Discuss in detail the ways in which JB Priestley introduces Arthur Birling to the people watching the play for the first time in Act 1.

Stagecraft: the way Arthur Birling is physically represented in Act 1

Dramatic irony: his overly optimistic world view in Act 1

Interactions with others: the ways in which he talks to others (tone talking to Gerald vs. Eric/Sheila)

Moving Forward

Basic Introduction

Key Words

Describing Arthur Birling

"An Inspector Calls": Structuring CA

Characterisation of Arthur Birling

Upper-class

Social Climber

Capitalist

Insular/Outdated world views

Foolish

Allegorical Figure

Pompous

Egotistical

Arrogant

Pretentious

Prejudicial

Selfish

Discuss in detail the ways in which JB Priestley introduces Arthur Birling to the people watching the play for the first time in Act 1.

• Stagecraft: the way Arthur Birling is physically represented in Act 1
• Dramatic irony: his overly optimistic world view in Act 1
• Interactions with others: the ways in which he talks to others (tone talking to Gerald vs. Eric/Sheila

If you wish to achieve a high "C" or "B" grade, "sustained response to text supported by textual reference" is required.

If this is the question:

Discuss in detail the ways in which JB Priestley introduces Arthur Birling to the people watching the play for the first time in Act 1.

How do you build an introduction to the essay?

JB Priestley introduces Arthur Birling to the people watching the play for the first time in Act 1 using stagecraft, dramatic irony and interactions with other characters. Mr. Birling is made to look foolish/arrogant/pompous (choose one) to Priestley's socialist political views appear more appealing.

Stagecraft is used to describe Mr. Birling as a capitalist figure. Mr. Birling is described as a 'rather portentous' man in his 'middle fifties.' 'Portentous' means stout or heavy. The actor playing Mr. Birling should be heavy in order to convey the appearance of wealth. Wealthy individuals at the time the play is set would be stout due to the amount of rich foods they ate. His speech is also 'rather provincial.' His accent conveys a background that is lower class than his current standing in the upper class. Arthur Birling is intended to look like a stereotypical capitalist. He is intended to be an allegory for all upper class capitalist business owners.

Priestley uses the technique of dramatic irony to make Mr. Birling's capitalist views look silly. The audience is aware that Mr. Birling's statements are untrue and this demonstrates his outdated world views. Mr. Birling states, 'A friend of mine went over this new liner last week - the Titanic .......'