assignment

Double Entry Journal Name: Jennifer Dominguez

An Inspector Calls

Directions: In the table below you will conduct a thorough analysis of the text through a double entry journal. In your analysis, you will focus on a combination of the following: the argument that Priestley is making and the strategies for close reading from chapter 4 of the text. You must select at least 10 passages from the play (across all three acts) to analyze. Keep in mind that this play makes up the focus for your second essay, so it is to your benefit to be thorough and thoughtful in your responses.

Quote Analysis

The doorbell rings unexpectedly during Mr. Birling’s speech to Eric and Gerald, they were not expecting a visitor. Edna Maid ( the maid) announces that an inspector has arrived (7)

Priestley presents class conflicts specifically with Mr. Birling. At the beginning of the play, he is shown to look down on Edna as a lower class person through his treatment of her.

Mr. Birling is shown a photograph of Eva, after initially denying recognizing the woman in the photo, he remembers firing her in 1910 for organizing a strike over workers pay. Birling feels justified for his actions and does not believe he committed any wrongdoing (9)

Priestly gives hint that Mr. Briling has known Eva since then. He wants to imply that Mr. Birling hides at the back of his own shadow.

Inspector Goole moves the investigation over to Sheila. She recalls also having Eva sacked about her manners by her in an upmarket department store (Eva smiled at another shop assistant about the dress Sheila tried.) Sheila regrets her actions and feels hugely guilty and responsible for Eva’s death. (21)

Priestly shows his hate and disappointment for people who look down on others through the upper class and lower class characters. He presents his own disgust through the character of Inspector Goole. Goole creates conflict by questioning the actions.

The inspector reveals that Eva Smith changed her name to Daisy Renton. Gerald acts guilty and Sheila notices his worry, she confronts Gerald when the Inspector leaves the room. Gerald reveals to Sheila he had an affair with Daisy Renton. (26)

Priestly wants his audience to realize how vulnerable a man is when it comes to temptation. He also emphasizes the woman’s instinct.

Eva approached a charity chaired by Mrs. Birling to ask for help. Eva was desperate and pregnant but help was refused by Mr. Birling because she was offended by the girl calling herself, “Mrs. Birling.” She tells Eva that the baby’s father should be made entirely responsible. She also tells inspector Goole that the father should be held entirely responsible and should be made an example of(34).

Priestly conveys that Mrs. Birling has a different moral side. Because she judges Eva Smith and the father of her child immediately without knowing the real story.

Double Entry Journal Name: Jennifer Dominguez

Eric is revealed as the father. He stole money from Mr. Birling’s office to provide money for Eva. Eric is angry at his mother when he learns that she has refused to help Eva.(38 )

Priestley presents the importance of being responsible. That no matter what bad things you did, still you should face and do something about it.

The inspector tells them that they are all partly to blame for Eva’s death and warns them of the consequences of people not being responsible for each other. “If men will not learn that lesson, when they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.”(39)

Priestley gives the people how social status becomes a conflict amongst members of the family. Also, taking responsibility from the results of their actions are being taught.

After inspector Goole leaves, the family begins to suspect that he was not a genuine police inspector. A phone call to the Chief Constable confirms this. Next they phone the infirmary to be informed that no suicide case has been brought in(45)..

Priestley reveals that true identity conscience through Inspector Goole. He wants them to comprehend things and how they should respond to it. Though all words were lies the hidden message still implies.

Mr. Birling, Mrs. Birling, and Gerald congratulate themselves that it was all a hoax and they continue as before. This attitude upsets Sheila and Eric

Sheila and Eric changed as they learned from their mistakes. Unlike their parents and Gerald Croft, they didn't even repent and just turned to their own selves as if nothing happened. .

The phone rings Mr. Birling announces to the family that a girl has died onher to the infirmary, a police inspector is coming to question them (51)

Priestley presents them the reality of life and teaches them to accept it or still denies it.