Insightful exploratory response to task Insightful exploratory response to text Close analysis of detail to support interpretation Evaluation on the writer’s use of language and/or
structure and effect on audience Convincing/imaginative interpretation of
ideas/themes
Mr. Frammingham (characters) & Mrs. Griffifths (themes) will be offering further support on AIC on Tuesdays
Mr. Gooda will be offering an early introduction to Wikispaces on Wednesday after school (Wikispace Wednesday in E1). I’ll be putting all resources and a selection of past exams on Wikispaces leading up to the exam. I feel this will be valuable
I’ll also be offering drop in sessions every day from here to the literature exams for anyone who would like extra support from 3:00-4:30
Please let me know if you’re planning on taking advantage of these sessions
Everything we discuss today (and in subsequent lessons) will be available for your revision needs in the Wikispace
It’s more important that you jot down the most important information but do not feel the need to write everything down
It’s better to follow the discussion rather than fill your sheets with notes
What’s still to come in 1912? World War I Titanic Crash Rise of Russia Labour Unrest
◦ Why set it there though? JBP is trying to challenge the audience about
what the future holds if they do not learn from the past
Stifling environment◦ Run by out of touch hypocrites◦ Represented by Aldermann Meggarty◦ This is the opposite of the American Dream. There
was no hope of transcending your station through traditional means (hard work)
1945◦ Labour had just won the general election in a
landslide and focussed on improving the welfare system
◦ NHS created in 1948
Priestley’s idea of a perfect 1910s middle-class family◦ Father is a successful businessman◦ Mother works hard to keep up the family’s reputation in the
community◦ Son works for father in the family business◦ Daughter engaged to the son of their competitor
This should improve the business because the two companies could merge in the future
Not everything is as it seems◦ Gerald’s family is more established and socially superior
Reveals the insecurity in Arthur Birling◦ Sheila Birling (Arthur’s social superior) corrects him on his
social graces Reveals further insecurity in Arthur Birling
◦Could explain his long speeches and self-congratulating nature
Heavy-looking, rather portentous man in his middle fifties but rather provincial in his speech◦ Heavy-looking – over indulgent◦ Portentous – Threatening◦ Provincial – Small town, crude, rural, unpolished
There’s irony here. The more he talks and brags, he thinks he’s helping himself but he’s just exposing his secondary status with every word he speaks
Proud of his achievements◦ Mayor, golfs with dignitaries, in-line for a
knighthood? He’s in Gerald’s father’s shadow
◦ “exactly the same port your father gets” He is Sybil’s social inferior – This could easily explain
his obsession with climbing the social ladder “One of the happiest nights of my life”
◦ Sheila’s happiness or the merger with Crofts Unlimited?
Silly little war scares Juvenile adjectives highlight his foolishness
when paired with Dramatic Irony◦ “We’re in for a time of steadily increasing
prosperity” There was an economic downturn that led into
WWI
◦ “The Germans don’t want war. Nobody wants war… Everything to lose and nothing to gain by war… I say there isn’t a chance of war. The world’s developing so fast it’ll make war impossible.”
◦ The Titanic… unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable Link between the unsinkable Titanic and his perfectly
structured family◦ Let’s say in 1940… you’ll be living in a world that’ll have
forgotten all these Capital versus Labour agitations and silly little war scares Rise of Bolshevikism, the social welfare state, WWII,
The general strike
There’ll be peace and prosperity and rapid progress everywhere – except of course in Russia, which will always be behindhand naturally
Rise of the Soviets as a Superpower The Titanic Speech predates the “Every
Man for Himself” motto◦ Why?
When the Inspector shows up he’s repeatedly referred to as impatient (11 & 12)◦ Likes to be in control of the conversation (see his early
speeches) He’s extremely selfish
◦ Worries about the press getting a hold of the story◦ Accuses Sheila of disloyalty – The truth is a pliable (if at all
relevant) concept◦ Plans on covering up Eric’s crimes
Doesn’t really blink at rape or suicide but stealing from the company is a no-no
◦ Key theme – Loyalty vs. Honesty
Birling shouts out negative statements to others’ opinions (“Rubbish”), however he finishes his own sentences with positive reinforcers (“of course”)
Authority is undermined throughout the play◦ Mrs. Birling, Sheila, The Inspector, Eric, even the
strikers (in a sense) Never learns his lesson. He’s momentarily downtrodden
when he’s accountable but then when he thinks he’s off the hook he downplays his prior remorse
Blames the inspector for making a “nasty mess” of the night’s celebrations
“But take my word for it, you youngsters - and I've learnt in the good hard school of experience - that a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own - and – ◦ We hear sharp ring of a front doorbell
Now look at the pair of them – the famous younger generation who know it all. And they can’t even take a joke—◦ Telephone rings sharply. A moment’s complete silence
Yes?... Mr. Birling speaking… what?- Here—◦ But obviously the other person has rung off
About fifty, a rather cold woman and her husband’s social superior
This would cause friction in the relationship between herself and Arthur
This is somewhat mirrored in Birling’s desire to explain away Sheila’s social deficit to Gerald
Her speech is much more composed and proper that Arthur’s◦Less colloquialisms
She corrects Birling◦ “(Reproachfully) – Arthur, you’re not supposed to say such things
“Supposed” suggests behaviour is dictated by etiquette, Fits in with her entire outlook on life
She’s a snob – Snobby Sybil◦ Victorian/Edwardian life is about etiquette, clothing and social graces
She show the least respect of anyone to the Inspector◦ Tries to intimidate him (QUOTE)◦ Lies to him about recognizing the photograph
Denies the obvious – Lies to herself (Why?)◦ Eric’s drinking◦ Gerald’s affair◦ That a working class girl would refuse money
Still speaks down to Sheila and Eric ‘Children’ ◦ Patronizing them, infantilizes them◦ Answers on their behalf
She simply cannot empathize with Eva’s situation◦ Too hardened by status and reputation (upper class
are important and to be worried about, lower classes are not)
◦ Remember, she’s the highest rated person in the room socially
Had the final chance to help Eva/Daisy and refused it◦ If anything, this should create an emotional
response in Mrs B but it doesn’t Counterpoints Sheila & Eric’s emotional responses
IG tricks her by having her attack the father of Eva’s baby. He allows her class prejudice and pride to be her downfall◦ “He should be made an example of (48)◦ “If the girl’s death is due to anybody, then it’s due to
him (48)◦ “He ought to be dealt with very severely- (48)
Interesting that here Sheila is screaming “Mother – stop – stop!”
◦ “Find this young man and then make sure that he’s compelled to confess in public his responsibility (48)”
◦ “I don’t believe it. I won’t believe it…
Overrules her husband’s desire that she stays out of the room when discussing Eric and the theft◦ Overriding the Patriarchal society of Edwardian
England but re-establishes her role as the social better
Obvious irony that Sybil is in charge of a charity◦ A woman without empathy gets to use her
authority to decide who is/isn’t worthy of assistance
Stage Directions reveal the true Sybil◦ Very sharply, and bitterly (Suggests coldness)◦ Haughtily, Triumphantly (Suggest smugness)◦ At the end (before the phone rings) she’s
smiling End of the Play – She’s come to terms with
social penalties by association but refuses to accept responsibility for Eva’s Death
Gender◦ Sybil, Eva/Daisy, Sheila (role of women)◦ Mr. Birling/Mrs. Birling/Sheila (men vs. women)
Class◦ Sybil & Arthur, Eva, Eric & Sheila (Rich, Poor,
Hybrid) Social Responsibility
◦ Public Men & Women, The Helpless, The Social Conscience
Honesty vs. Loyalty vs. Duty
Insightful exploratory response to task Insightful exploratory response to text Close analysis of detail to support interpretation Evaluation on the writer’s use of language and/or
structure and effect on audience Convincing/imaginative interpretation of
ideas/themes
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