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A WELL-MADE PLAY

A WELL-MADE PLAY. Thursday, 06 November 2014. Exam format:. A “passage” question worth 10 marks – your spoken language CA might be useful here… A critical essay from a choice of two, worth 20 marks. PEE and close analysis is vital in the passage. Embedded quotation is needed in the essay.

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A WELL-MADE PLAY

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  1. A WELL-MADE PLAY Thursday, 06 November 2014

  2. Exam format: • A “passage” question worth 10 marks – your spoken language CA might be useful here… • A critical essay from a choice of two, worth 20 marks. • PEE and close analysis is vital in the passage. • Embedded quotation is needed in the essay.

  3. An Inspector Calls • What is a “well-made play”? • The description is generally thought to refer to two elements of the play: • The progression from ignorance to knowledge not only of the characters, but also of the audience. • The unity of time and space within the play

  4. Ignorance to Knowledge: • Unlike many Shakespearean plays, we are not in the world of dramatic irony here in the sense of the plot. However… • The references to war and the Titanic are the exceptions and foreshadow what will happen • The audience may guess what is coming, just as Sheila Birling does, but in essence, we know no more than the characters. • Each character has their own journey to knowledge. We need to consider how the inspector comes to be so well informed about everyone.

  5. Politics • Priestley was a committed socialist. Note that the play was premiered in Moscow – why would the storyline have appealed to Stalin’s Soviet Union? • Goole and Birling are both given political speeches during the play. Sum up their standpoints with references to speeches on pp6-7. 14-16, 56.

  6. Whodunnit? • As the plot unravels, we are hooked and wish to find out more. Each scene adds to our knowledge. But: • There is no outcome, no Poirot-like denouement. • Instead we are left with the knowledge that all will repeat itself until the characters see the error of their ways. Why? • MORALITY play?

  7. Morality/Mystery play • Medieval plays to teach the Bible to an illiterate mass. • Clear presentations of allegorical characters. • Present a battle between good and evil for possession of the human soul. • Characters also represent sins who fight for the soul of Man, protected by God… • Greed, Pride, Lust, Envy…

  8. Mum and Dad • By turns obnoxious and grand, the parents struggle to cope on many levels. • Mr Birling is an unashamed advocate of Capitalism in its rawest state. Not above threats and bluster, his realisation, if it ever comes, is too little, too late. Even in Act 3 he is talking about covering up Eric’s theft of money. His bluster and anger is contrasted with the calm and massive way that the inspector takes control. • What do we understand of his foresight in Act 1?

  9. “Mummy dearest…” • Insulted by the “theft” of her name, she rejects Eva, despite the fact that she is pregnant. • Unable to see what is coming she advocates Eric’s downfall • Dominant at home she treats Sheila as a child and seeks to intimidate her and the inspector.

  10. Sheila • Seems to realise early on. Why? • Seems to almost be on Goole’s “side” as the story develops. • Hurt by Gerald, she has the capacity to understand – she tells him that she does not “dislike” him and takes responsibility for her actions. • “We often do on the young ones, they’re more impressionable” –Inspector Act 2. In what ways does Sheila fit this description? • Has Goole’s visit worked for Sheila?

  11. GERALD • Socially superior – who are his parents and what do they make of the engagement? • Seems to share Birling’s outlook on life. • His affair: boys will be boys or something else? • Did Sheila know all along? • Consider his description of “Alderman Meggarty”. • He is able to advise Mrs B. how to behave in front of the inspector –once again, are we to believe that youth confers some form of teachability? • Consider his explanation on pp66-67. Why does Priestly write this here?

  12. Little Eric • Weak and treated like a child. Refuge is found in alcohol. How early does he guess? Pg 22, wants to go to bed… why? • Can we find evidence of Birling treating him like a little boy? • Is he “likeable”? Consider his own description of his treatment of Eva. “I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty”. • Pg 57 conversation between Birling and Eric. Who has learnt from the visit? What have they learnt?

  13. Ghoul • Or should I say Goole? • Does he seem to be enjoying himself? Justify your opinion. Answers RQs, constantly re-emphasises the ghastliness of the death • Massively powerful, he seems to dominate easily. • Where does his knowledge come from? • Is he real? If not, what is he?

  14. A real inspector? • “It doesn’t much matter now, of course –but was he really a police inspector?” Sheila pg 58 • Does it matter? • Are you with Sheila and Eric or with Mr and Mrs Birling on this point? • The Birlings seem obsessed with appearances – how does this tie in with Goole? Consider Sheila on pg 65.

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