Page 4: Character Analysis - Sybil Birling

Sybil Birling is another key character in An Inspector Calls, representing the upper-class prejudice and moral rigidity that the play critiques. Her character is essential for understanding the themes of social responsibility and class divide.

Key traits of Sybil Birling:

• Represents the sin of pride
• Tries to deny uncomfortable truths
• Prejudiced against the working class
• Has a narrow sense of morality

Quote: "Girls of that class."

Sybil's actions and attitudes:

• Admits to being "prejudiced" against Eva Smith when she applied for help
• Saw it as her "duty" to refuse help to Eva
• Believes fathers should be responsible for their children's welfare, regardless of circumstances

Highlight: Sybil's prejudice and ignorance are key factors in her treatment of Eva Smith, contributing to the young woman's tragic fate.

Character flaws:

• Dismissive of those she considers beneath her social status
• Unwilling to consider perspectives different from her own
• Rigid in her moral judgments

Analysis: Sybil Birling's character represents the entrenched class attitudes that the play criticizes, showing how such prejudices can have devastating consequences for those less fortunate.

This detailed examination of Sybil Birling's character provides valuable insights for students studying An Inspector Calls for their GCSE English exams. Her role in the play offers rich material for discussions on themes of social responsibility, class prejudice, and moral hypocrisy.

Page 5: Character Development and Themes

This page delves deeper into the character development and major themes in An Inspector Calls, providing crucial insights for GCSE English students analyzing the play.

Character Development:

1. Sheila Birling

   • Starts as naive and sheltered
   • Grows to understand her actions' consequences
   • Becomes more socially aware and empathetic

2. Eric Birling

   • Initially portrayed as immature and irresponsible
   • Reveals hidden depths and struggles
   • Shows potential for change and growth

Highlight: The younger generation's ability to change contrasts sharply with their parents' rigid attitudes.

Major Themes:

1. Social Responsibility

   Definition: The idea that individuals have a duty to act for the benefit of society at large.

2. Class Divide

   • Explores the stark differences between the upper and working classes
   • Critiques the prejudices and assumptions of the wealthy

3. Generational Conflict

   • Contrasts the older generation's entrenched views with the younger generation's openness to change

4. Gender Roles

   • Examines societal expectations for men and women
   • Highlights the double standards applied to Eva Smith

Analysis: These themes interweave throughout the play, creating a complex critique of Edwardian society that remains relevant today.

The exploration of these themes and character arcs is essential for a comprehensive understanding of An Inspector Calls. Students preparing for GCSE English exams should be able to discuss how these elements contribute to the play's overall message and impact.

Page 10: Language and Dialogue Analysis

This page focuses on the language and dialogue used in An Inspector Calls, providing valuable insights for GCSE English students analyzing the play's linguistic features.

Dialogue Styles:

1. Mr. Birling

   • Uses business jargon and clichés
   • Speaks with authority and condescension

   Quote: "A man has to make his own way - has to look after himself"

2. Mrs. Birling

   • Formal and proper language
   • Often dismissive or haughty in tone

   Example: Her use of phrases like "Girls of that class" reveals her prejudices

3. Sheila

   • Language evolves from frivolous to more serious and empathetic
   • Uses more emotional and reflective language as the play progresses

4. Eric

   • Initially inarticulate and nervous
   • Becomes more assertive and honest in his speech

5. The Inspector

   • Clear, direct questioning
   • Uses rhetorical devices to emphasize points

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

Language Techniques:

1. Repetition

   • Key phrases and ideas are repeated for emphasis

   Example: The repeated use of "fire and blood and anguish"

2. Irony

   • Verbal irony in characters' statements
   • Dramatic irony in the audience's knowledge of future events

3. Metaphors and Similes

   • Used to convey complex ideas about society and responsibility

4. Rhetorical Questions

   • The Inspector often uses these to provoke thought and guilt

Analysis: Priestley uses language to reveal character, create tension, and convey the play's themes.

Linguistic Shifts:

1. Formality to Informality

   • Characters' language becomes less formal as their facades crumble

2. Past to Present Tense

   • Shifts in tense during recollections create immediacy and impact

3. Collective to Individual Pronouns

   • Movement from "we" to "I" as characters accept personal responsibility

Highlight: The evolving language and dialogue in the play reflect the characters' journeys and the breakdown of social barriers.

Understanding these linguistic elements is crucial for GCSE English students analyzing An Inspector Calls. They provide a rich source of material for discussing character development, theme exploration, and Priestley's craftsmanship as a playwright.