Transcript AIM: to explore how the theatrical form contributes to Priestley`s

AIM: to explore how the theatrical
form contributes to Priestley’s
presentation of ideas and themes
List all the
conventions
(ingredients) of a
play script.
How are plays more
effective than novels
in exploring themes
and characters?
We know that Priestley’s moral purpose behind the
play An Inspector Calls is to communicate political
propaganda.
He wants to illustrate how we should adopt a more
socialist outlook instead of our current, selfish,
capitalist ideology.
Before the play even begins, through both the
characters’ names and the stage directions
illustrating the set, Priestley’s propagandistic aims
are clear.
Read the cast list, and the stage directions on
pages 1 and 2
How is this name
aptronymic?
What is he doing
there? What does this
suggest?
Is this usual or
expected for a
play?
ARTHUR BIRLING
SYBIL BIRLING his wife
SHEILA BIRLING his daughter
ERIC BIRLING his son
Who is this person?
EDNA the maid
GERALD CROFT
INSPECTOR GOOLE
All three acts, which are
continuous, take place in the
dining-room of the Birlings’
house in Brumley, an industrial
city in the North Midlands.
It is an evening in spring, 1912.
How is this a strange
sounding name?
• From here, focus on one example of stage
directions, then allocate an example for each
person to stick up on the blog