4.1.3
Structure & Chronology 2
Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.
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
- 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
- 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
- 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
There are various time settings at work in the play.
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
- 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 & Equality2.1.2Class Tension2.1.3Abuse of Power & Corruption2.1.4Socialism vs Capitalism2.1.5Blame & Responsibility2.1.6Attitudes to Women2.1.7Characterisation of Women2.1.8Dramatic Function of Characters2.1.9End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes2.1.10End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes 22.1.11Grade 9 - Key Themes2.1.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - Socialism vs Communism2.1.13Diagnostic Misconceptions - Edna2.1.14Diagnostic Misconceptions - Women in the Play2.1.15Diagnostic Misconceptions - Eva Smith
3Key Characters
3.1Mr Birling
3.2Mrs Birling
3.6Inspector Goole
3.7Grade 9 - Key Characters
4Authorial Method
5Recap: Main Quotes
5.1Mr Birling Quotes
5.2Mrs Birling Quotes
5.6Inspector Goole Quotes
Jump to other topics
1Plot Summary
2Context & Key Themes
2.1Context & Key Themes
2.1.1Social Class & Equality2.1.2Class Tension2.1.3Abuse of Power & Corruption2.1.4Socialism vs Capitalism2.1.5Blame & Responsibility2.1.6Attitudes to Women2.1.7Characterisation of Women2.1.8Dramatic Function of Characters2.1.9End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes2.1.10End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes 22.1.11Grade 9 - Key Themes2.1.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - Socialism vs Communism2.1.13Diagnostic Misconceptions - Edna2.1.14Diagnostic Misconceptions - Women in the Play2.1.15Diagnostic Misconceptions - Eva Smith
3Key Characters
3.1Mr Birling
3.2Mrs Birling
3.6Inspector Goole
3.7Grade 9 - Key Characters
4Authorial Method
5Recap: Main Quotes
5.1Mr Birling Quotes
5.2Mrs Birling Quotes
5.6Inspector Goole Quotes
Practice questions on Structure & Chronology 2
Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.
- 1
- 2
Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium
Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions
Mini-mock exams based on your study history
Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books