Show:
Mr Birling
Sheila
Gerald
Eric
Mrs Birling
100
What are the names of the other Birlings and how are they related to Mr Birling?
Sybil - Wife Sheila - Daughter Eric - Son
100
Who is Sheila engaged to?
Gerald
100
Are the Birlings and the Crofts of the same social status?
Yes, but "Crofts Limited are both older and bigger than the Birling Company."
100
What problem does Eric seem to have?
He drinks too much and he is capable of stealing money.
100
What is her first name?
Sybil
200
Find a quote in the text that describes his physical appearance and manners.
Bottom of page 5: "a heavy looking, rather potentous man in his middle fifties with fairly easy manners but rather provincial in his speech"
200
How does the playwright describes Sheila?
page 5: "a pretty girl in her early twenties, very pleased with life and rather excited"
200
How does Priestley describe Gerald?
page 6: "an attractive chap about thirty, rather too manly to be a dandy but very much the easy well-bred young man-about-town"
200
How does Priestley describe Eric?
page 6: "in his early twenties, not quite at ease, half -shy, half-assertive"
200
How does Priestley describe her?
"about fifty, a rather cold woman and her husband's social superior"
300
Give three reasons why Mr Birling fired Eva Smith. *Hint: Page 15
She was one of the leaders during a strike in a factory he owns (Birling and Company).
300
Paying close attention to stage directions for Sheila, act out the scene on page 7.
"Mock-aggressiveness", "half serious, half playful" describes the TONE of voice.
300
Page 8: "Hear, hear! And I think my father would agree to that." What is your initial impression of Gerald?
polite, obedient, possibly a little full of his importance
300
Page 7: "Suddenly I felt I just had to laugh." What can we imply about Eric's character?
flippant not serious unrestricted silly immature
300
Who did Sybil think should bear the responsibility of Eva Smith's death? Give evidence.
The father of the child ... "Go look for the father of the child. It's his responsibility" (Who is this?)
400
Page 16: "Still, I can't accept any responsibility. If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody we'd had anything to do with, it would be very awkward, wouldn't it?" What does this show about Mr Birling?
Selfish, irresponsible. *Foreshadowing
400
Refer to page 20/21. Consider Sheila's response to the Inspector's summary of Eva's life. Use two adjectives to describe Sheila.
Sympathetic, compassionate, kind.
400
How did Gerald feel towards Daisy?
Gerald pitied Daisy (p37) (p39- gift of enough money) (p38-gallant) Did not feel responsible, but now feels guilty. (p38-39)
400
What did Eva Smith think of Eric?
She had very little respect for him. "In a way, she treated me - as if I were a kid."
400
What punishment does Sybil think the father of Eva Smith's child deserve? Why is this Ironic?
p 48: "He should be made an example of." She is related to the father ...
500
Find a quote in the text to show that Mr Birling is very selfish.
Bottom of Page 12: "a man has to make his own way - has to look after himself"
500
What other impressions do you have of Sheila by the end of Act 1?
Sharp, perceptive, forward. She seems to be more sensitive to the needs of others than the other characters. She can also be a little superficial and materialistic.
500
How did Daisy feel towards Gerald? Was their relationship equal?
p37 - grateful (more than it is love) p 39 - there'd never be anything as good again for her
500
Does Eric feel guilty and accept responsibility for his actions? Find evidence from the text to support your answer.
Note: Tone, repetition
500
How does Sybil react after she finds out that the father is her son, Eric? What does this tell us about her?
"distressed" - disbelief, in denial She would have said things differently if she knew it was her son. She is protective, bias, practise double standards. She does not know her son very well. "You're not the type - you don't get drunk - "