Sybil Birling: The Matriarch of Prejudice

Sybil Birling, the matriarch of the Birling family, represents the entrenched class prejudices of Edwardian society. Her character is crucial in understanding the themes of social inequality and moral hypocrisy in An Inspector Calls.

Highlight: Mrs. Birling's judgmental attitude towards Eva Smith reveals her deep-seated prejudice against the working class.

Key aspects of Sybil's character include:

• Prejudiced against the lower classes
• Self-righteous and morally inflexible
• Lacks empathy for those she considers beneath her
• Protective of her family's reputation

Her dialogue demonstrates her biases:

Quote: "Girls of that class—"

This phrase, frequently used by Sybil, underscores her belief in rigid class distinctions and her inability to see working-class individuals as equals.

Example: Sybil's refusal to help Eva Smith when she came to the charity committee exemplifies her lack of compassion and her adherence to class-based judgments.

Throughout the play, Sybil struggles to accept her role in Eva's demise, maintaining her sense of moral superiority even in the face of damning evidence.

Definition: Class prejudice - preconceived opinions or attitudes about people based on their social or economic status, often leading to discrimination.

Sheila Birling: The Voice of Conscience

Sheila Birling, the daughter of Arthur and Sybil, undergoes the most significant transformation in An Inspector Calls. Her character arc is essential to understanding the themes of personal growth and moral awakening in the play.

Highlight: Sheila's ability to recognize and admit her mistakes sets her apart from her parents and represents hope for social change.

Key aspects of Sheila's character development include:

• Initially naive and privileged
• Develops a strong sense of empathy and guilt
• Becomes more insightful and questioning of societal norms
• Serves as a bridge between generations

Her dialogue reflects her growing awareness:

Quote: "But these girls aren't cheap labour - they're people."

This statement marks Sheila's shift from viewing workers as commodities to recognizing their humanity.

Example: Sheila's remorse over her role in Eva's dismissal from Milwards demonstrates her capacity for empathy and her willingness to confront uncomfortable truths.

As the play progresses, Sheila becomes increasingly critical of her family's attitudes and actions, embodying the potential for positive change in society.

Vocabulary: Moral awakening - a process of becoming aware of ethical issues and developing a stronger sense of right and wrong.

Eric Birling: The Troubled Son

Eric Birling, the son of Arthur and Sybil, represents the younger generation grappling with the consequences of their actions in An Inspector Calls. His character is crucial to understanding the themes of responsibility and the impact of privilege on moral behavior.

Highlight: Eric's struggle with alcoholism and his exploitation of Eva Smith reveal the darker side of upper-class entitlement.

Key aspects of Eric's character include:

• Secret alcoholic
• Took advantage of Eva Smith
• Feels remorse and shame for his actions
• Willing to speak up against his parents' views

His dialogue reveals his inner conflict:

Quote: "You're not the kind of father a chap could go to when he's in trouble."

This statement highlights the disconnect between Eric and his father, as well as the lack of support he feels within his family.

Example: Eric's insistence on giving Eva money after getting her pregnant shows a sense of responsibility, albeit misguided and too late.

Throughout the play, Eric becomes increasingly aware of the consequences of his actions and the flaws in his upbringing.

Definition: Entitlement - the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment, often associated with social class or status.

Gerald Croft: The Conflicted Suitor

Gerald Croft, Sheila's fiancé and son of a business rival, represents a bridge between the older and younger generations in An Inspector Calls. His character is essential in exploring themes of social responsibility and personal integrity.

Highlight: Gerald's affair with Eva Smith (Daisy Renton) reveals the complex nature of cross-class relationships and the power dynamics at play.

Key aspects of Gerald's character include:

• Socially superior to the Birlings
• Initially supportive of capitalist values
• Had an affair with Eva Smith
• Shows some remorse but also tries to minimize his responsibility

His dialogue reflects his conflicted nature:

Quote: "I didn't feel about her as she felt about me."

This statement reveals Gerald's awareness of the imbalance in his relationship with Eva, yet also his attempt to distance himself emotionally.

Example: Gerald's initial attempt to hide his involvement with Eva from the Inspector demonstrates his instinct for self-preservation.

As the play progresses, Gerald struggles to reconcile his actions with his self-image and social standing.

Vocabulary: Power dynamics - the way different people or groups interact with and influence each other, often based on social, economic, or political factors.

Inspector Goole: The Catalyst for Change

Inspector Goole, the mysterious interrogator in An Inspector Calls, serves as a driving force for the play's exploration of social responsibility and moral accountability. His character is crucial in understanding the themes of justice and collective guilt.

Highlight: The Inspector's methodical questioning and revelations force each character to confront their role in Eva Smith's demise.

Key aspects of Inspector Goole's character include:

• Omniscient and authoritative
• Represents social conscience
• Challenges the Birlings' and Gerald's worldviews
• May be supernatural or symbolic rather than a real police inspector

His dialogue often carries deeper meaning:

Quote: "We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other."

This statement encapsulates the Inspector's central message about social interconnectedness and shared responsibility.

Example: The Inspector's refusal to show everyone the photograph at once creates tension and allows for individual confessions, revealing the characters' true natures.

Throughout the play, Inspector Goole acts as a catalyst for self-reflection and moral awakening among the other characters.

Definition: Catalyst - a person or thing that precipitates an event or change, often without being affected themselves.

Themes and Character Interactions

The characters in An Inspector Calls interact in ways that highlight the play's central themes and create a complex web of relationships and responsibilities.

Highlight: The generational divide between the older Birlings and their children reflects changing attitudes towards social responsibility.

Key themes explored through character interactions include:

• Class divide and social inequality
• Personal responsibility vs. collective guilt
• The impact of actions on others
• Generational differences in values and beliefs

The characters' responses to the Inspector's questioning reveal their true natures:

Quote: "We don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other."

This statement by the Inspector challenges the individualistic views of characters like Mr. Birling and Mrs. Birling.

Example: The contrast between Sheila and Eric's willingness to accept responsibility and their parents' attempts to deny culpability highlights the play's message about moral growth and social change.

As the play progresses, the characters' interactions become increasingly strained, reflecting the breakdown of their previously held beliefs and social structures.

Vocabulary: Social responsibility - the idea that individuals and organizations have a duty to act in the best interests of society and the environment.

Page 7: The Inspector's Role and Social Message

The page focuses on Inspector Goole's character and his moral message.

Quote: "We don't live alone. We are members of one body"

Highlight: The Inspector's role as a moral catalyst and voice of social conscience.

Arthur Birling: The Capitalist Patriarch

Arthur Birling, the head of the Birling family, embodies the capitalist mindset of early 20th century Britain. His character is central to understanding the themes of social responsibility and class divide in An Inspector Calls.

Highlight: Mr. Birling's dismissive attitude towards potential labor troubles reflects his disconnection from the working class.

Birling's personality traits include:

• Self-assured and pompous
• Dismissive of social responsibility
• Keen to impress and climb the social ladder
• Right-wing political views

His dialogue reveals his priorities:

Quote: "A man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own."

This statement encapsulates Birling's individualistic philosophy, which contrasts sharply with the Inspector's message of collective responsibility.

Example: Birling's prediction about the Titanic being "unsinkable" serves as dramatic irony, undermining his credibility and foreshadowing his flawed judgment.

Birling's character arc shows little growth throughout the play, as he remains largely unmoved by the revelations about Eva Smith's fate.

Vocabulary: Dramatic irony - a literary device where the audience knows more than the characters, often used to create tension or highlight a character's flaws.