I must now firstly apologise for the awful title, it was a bad joke!
Well this has got to be one of my favourite stories I’ve read during my time at school so far.
The basic plot
The Birling family are spending a happy evening celebrating the engagement of Sheila Birling to Gerald Croft
Yet, just when everything seems to be going so well, they receive a surprise visit from an Inspector Goole who is investigating the suicide of a young girl called Eva Smith.
The inspector links each member of the family to her and how possible each of them caused her to commit suicide.
J.B Priestly He was born in 1894 and wrote many plays this being his most famous The older generation may remember this man as the broadcaster during World War 2 in a massively popular weekly radio programme, which was attacked by the Conservatives as being too left wing. It was eventually cancelled by the BBC for being too critical of the Government. Hehehe
He died in 1984 at the age
of 90.
Why was it written? He had a great interest in politics. He set up his won party in 1942 called the 'Common Wealth Party' the play was written in a way, which would be enjoyable as well as getting a point across.
The point he is trying to make is that people need to realise we're all on earth together. In the story the Birling families are upper class citizens and are being made to reflect on what they've done. This is what he wants the person listening or reading this to believe. (What a clever guy!!)
It is very hard to write a lot about this book because it is only 79pages long. I read this book in one night and is a very easy book to get into. This story leaves you thinking for a long time after you've read this. As well as making you think about your role in society and how we're lucky to be where we are. (Because Eva Smith of the women who committed suicide) It also leaves us excited that we do not know what is going to happen to the family.
THE CHARACTERS Arthur Birling - He is a boaster always talking about how he aquainted with so many important people. He is the boss of a factory and sacks Eva Smith. This is turning point in her life. From now on things go downwards for her.
Mrs Birling - Only one word describes her. A snob
Inspector Goole - The most interesting character in the story I believe. He is not actually an inspector of the police but he does seem to know all about the family. He is like a guardian angel in which he watches over the family warning them. However the family don't know this.
Sheila - Shortly will be getting married but now she is unsure because of this event. She got Eva Smith sacked from her job because she was jealous of her looks and was angry for no reason. She is the only member of the family to understand what she has done. She is very upset from her actions and is making the others own up to their offences.
Gerald Croft - From a very wealthy family and shortly will be uniting two big families together by marrying Sheila. He loved Eva Smith and gave her a place to stay because he felt sorry for her. he was the only person who made her happy.
Eric - Used Eva Smith as an object. Something which Priestly believes should never happen. He has a drinking problem, he stole money from his father and he made Eva Smith pregnant.
Eva Smith - She commits suicide in the end. She was sacked by Mr Birling, sacked from a shop by Sheila, loved by Gerald Croft, used as a prostitute by Eric and made pregnant and not given help by Mrs Birling
************************************** Don’t read below this if you don't want to know what happens in the last 1/4 of the book ************************************** The Birling family were tricked the first time because the inspector was not actually an inspector instead he was a ghost like figure hence his name Goole so far the police had found no dead girl called Eva Smith
The ending is very exciting because there is a telephone call saying 'That was the police. A girl has just died...a police inspector is on the way here - to ask some question.' It is very exciting what happened?????
This is why I believe it is a great read and advice anyone to read this. It’s very gripping It is probably suitable for anyone over 12. It is especially good for anyone who will have to write about the play because Heinemann have given us some helpful advice.
Apologies for low rating, but there are a couple of issues, particularly that you continually refer to it as 'the book' or 'the story', whereas it is in fact a play: this is crucial to any review of it, because it means you have to review dramatic effect and potential etc. Generally not enough of your own ideas. On the plus side, plenty of information is given about the playwright and his background!
Shellywba 11.11.2005 14:33
Oh I studied this at school! I loved it.
Belle 13.02.2005 18:37
Sorry for the lower rating, but if you include a bit more info on your opinion of the book, and a bit less on the plot perhaps, then I'll gladly re-rate :-) K xxx
Advantages: Short, ironic, easy to read, interesting twists to maintain your attention, great text for English Students Disadvantages: Takes place over the space of a few hours thus no major scene changes.
Advantages: Exciting and interesting read, with detail language and witty dialogue. Disadvantages: Breaks the veneer as a story and becomes a preaching ground for Priestly's socialist views.
Jan 15th, 2005
very helpful by (72%):
helpful by (23%):
somewhat helpful by (3%):
not helpful by (3%):
