4.1.3
Structure & Chronology 2
Structure - Cliffhanger and Cycle of Events
Structure - Cliffhanger and Cycle of Events
The play's cliffhanger ending adds a huge amount of tension. The structure presents an unending cycle of events.
Cliffhanger - characters' reactions
Cliffhanger - characters' reactions
- Priestley’s cliffhanger (ending that creates suspense) adds a huge amount of tension.
- The audience doesn’t know how the characters will react when the real police officer interviews them and if they will learn anything this time around.
Cliffhanger - irony
Cliffhanger - irony
- The cliffhanger also adds tension because the Birlings had just been celebrating that they were free and clear. They thought their reputations were safe and that they could pretend again that their actions have no consequences.
- The audience is frustrated because they feel like most of the characters have learnt nothing. Then they are told that there will be a real investigation.
Cycle of events
Cycle of events
- The structure of the play represents the unending cycle of events – as long as the older Birlings and Gerald (the higher-class members of society) refuse to accept any responsibility for their actions, the cycle will repeat and people will get hurt.
- Eric and Sheila show that they could stop the cycle of destruction. They have learnt from their mistakes and are willing to change.
Time Settings
Time Settings
There are various time settings at work in the play.
Main story - chronological
Main story - chronological
- The main story, which takes place in the Birling house, is told chronologically (in order of events).
- This lets him build tension and drama by revealing more and more shocking details as the story unfolds.
- Each detail leaves the audience feeling more and more sympathy towards Eva Smith, and more anger towards the Birlings and Gerald.
Central story - various stories
Central story - various stories
- But in the central story, various other stories are recounted – stories that tell the characters’ involvement with Eva/Daisy.
- Whenever we learn another detail, we get a better picture of a lower-class, vulnerable girl who was constantly suffering because of the elite, wealthy, selfish upper class.
- Priestley builds up the story in this way to teach the audience a lesson about social responsibility and equality – the audience can see how one selfish action after another affects Eva Smith's life.
- The message is that people should be careful because they could add to an already-difficult situation and cause horrible consequences.
1Plot Summary
2Context & Key Themes
2.1Context & Key Themes
2.1.1Social Class & Equality
2.1.2Class Tension
2.1.3Abuse of Power & Corruption
2.1.4Socialism vs Capitalism
2.1.5Blame & Responsibility
2.1.6Attitudes to Women
2.1.7Characterisation of Women
2.1.8Dramatic Function of Characters
2.1.9End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes
2.1.10End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes 2
2.1.11Grade 9 - Key Themes
3Key Characters
3.1Mr Birling
3.2Mrs Birling
3.6Inspector Goole
3.7Grade 9 - Key Characters
4Authorial Method
4.1Arrangement & Structure of the Play
Jump to other topics
1Plot Summary
2Context & Key Themes
2.1Context & Key Themes
2.1.1Social Class & Equality
2.1.2Class Tension
2.1.3Abuse of Power & Corruption
2.1.4Socialism vs Capitalism
2.1.5Blame & Responsibility
2.1.6Attitudes to Women
2.1.7Characterisation of Women
2.1.8Dramatic Function of Characters
2.1.9End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes
2.1.10End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes 2
2.1.11Grade 9 - Key Themes
3Key Characters
3.1Mr Birling
3.2Mrs Birling
3.6Inspector Goole
3.7Grade 9 - Key Characters
4Authorial Method
4.1Arrangement & Structure of the Play
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