An Inspector Calls Knowledge Organiser
1. Key Characters
• Sheila Birling
o Transforms from naive and materialistic to socially aware and
responsible.
o Symbolises change and hope, accepting responsibility for her
actions.
• Eric Birling
o Starts as irresponsible and immoral but grows to take
responsibility.
o Reflects the possibility of redemption and critiques upper-class
privilege.
• Mr. Arthur Birling
o Obsessed with status, wealth, and profit.
o Embodies capitalist selfishness and dismisses social responsibility.
• Mrs. Sybil Birling
o Represents moral rigidity and upper-class detachment.
o Refuses to accept any blame for Eva’s death.
• Gerald Croft
o A middle ground between generations; he shows initial sympathy
but aligns with older views.
o Highlights upper-class hypocrisy through his treatment of Eva.
• Inspector Goole
o Priestley’s mouthpiece, representing collective responsibility and
moral truth.
• Eva Smith/Daisy Renton
o A symbol of the working class, representing systemic oppression
and invisibility.
• Edna
o A silent reminder of the working class's undervalued labour and
social hierarchy.
2. Key Themes
Responsibility
• Explored through personal, moral, and social responsibility.
• Key Question: Who bears the most blame for Eva Smith’s death?
• The Inspector's message: "We are responsible for each other."
Class
• The Birlings’ interactions with Eva and Edna highlight stark class divides.
• Priestley's Critique: The upper class's disregard for the working class
fuels inequality.
Generational Divide
• Younger generation (Sheila, Eric): Open to change, embody hope.
• Older generation (Mr. and Mrs. Birling): Resistant to change, cling to
outdated values.
Gender Roles
• Sheila’s evolution challenges traditional expectations of women.
• Eva Smith’s treatment highlights gender-based oppression.
Power
• Dynamics explored between classes, genders, and generations.
• Who holds power (Mr. Birling)? Who lacks power (Eva, Edna)?
3. Priestley's Intentions
• Advocate for social responsibility and collective care.
• Critique the failures of capitalism and promote socialist ideals.
• Inspire post-war audiences to embrace change and reject inequality.
• Use An Inspector Calls as a call to reflect on societal structures and
values.
4. Rhetorical Techniques
• Pathos: Appeals to emotions, especially through Eva’s tragic fate.
• Ethos: The Inspector’s moral authority and credibility.
• Logos: Logical links between the Birlings’ actions and Eva’s demise.
• Irony: Mr. Birling’s optimistic predictions (e.g., Titanic, no war).
• Polysyndeton: Repetition of conjunctions ("millions and millions") to
emphasise social responsibility.
5. Historical Context
1912 (Setting)
• Edwardian Britain: Prosperity for the wealthy, extreme struggles for the
working class.
• Social movements: Labour rights and women’s suffrage gaining
momentum.
• Titanic: A symbol of hubris and the upper class’s disregard for
consequences.
1945 (Writing)
• Post-WWII Britain: Widespread hardship, societal reflection, and
Labour’s welfare-focused reforms.
• Priestley’s Intentions: Critique the past’s failures and call for a more
equitable future.
6. Symbolism in the Play
• Lighting:
o ‘Pink and intimate’ for complacency; ‘brighter and harder’ with
the Inspector's arrival.
• The Doorbell: Marks the disruption of the Birlings’ illusions.
• Eva Smith/Daisy Renton: Symbolises systemic oppression and the
working-class plight.
• The Ring: Sheila’s materialism and eventual rejection of superficial
values.
7. Structural Techniques
• Cyclical Structure:
o The play begins and ends with the same situation, reinforcing
inevitability and accountability.
• Inspector’s Exit:
o Leaves ambiguity, forcing the audience to reflect on their own
morality.
• Confined Setting:
o Intensifies scrutiny, highlights family dynamics and tensions.
• Twist on the ‘Whodunnit’ Genre:
o Moves beyond solving a mystery to examining societal
responsibility.
8. Capitalism vs Socialism
• Capitalism:
o Embodied by Mr. Birling's greed and self-interest.
o Critiqued for creating wealth inequality and social exploitation.
• Socialism:
o Represented by the Inspector’s emphasis on collective welfare.
o Advocates for fairness, equality, and shared responsibility.
9. Exam Preparation Tips
• Understand Priestley’s message and purpose.
• Use textual evidence to support analysis.
• Link themes to historical context (e.g., Edwardian society, post-WWII
reforms).
• Highlight character development to show how Priestley conveys
themes.
• Analyse rhetorical and structural techniques effectively.
