"Sharp ring of a doorbell... then the final piercing telephone."
"The Golden Rule: Sound creates atmosphere and punctuates the drama. You must distinguish between Diegetic (sounds characters hear) and Non-Diegetic (underscoring for the audience)."
Concept 1: The Diegetic World
The Big Idea: Using sound to establish the 1912 setting and the Birlings' wealth. These are sounds that exist within the world of the play.
The 1912 Sound Library
Use these highly specific examples in your exam to prove your contextual knowledge of the era.
🌍 Ambient / Atmosphere
Clock Ticking: Signifies the passage of time running out and creates tension.
Factory Whistle: A constant reminder of the working class and Eva's world outside.
Street Sounds: Muffled horse hooves and carriage wheels to evoke the 1912 era.
Distant Thunder: Used symbolically at moments of dramatic revelation.
🎶 1912 Music (Pre-Show)
"Alexander's Ragtime Band" (1911): Captures the lively, arrogant spirit of the era.
Edward Elgar: Pompous, triumphant classical marches representing upper-class pride.
Parlor Songs: E.g., "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" (1910) played lightly on a piano.
💥 Crucial SFX Cues
The Front Door Slam: Happens multiple times. Once when Gerald leaves, when Eric leaves, and finally when the Inspector leaves. It shakes the house.
The Doorbell: A 'sharp ring' that cuts Birling off mid-sentence.
The Telephone: An old-fashioned, harsh mechanical ring at the very end.
📝 Exam Strategy: The Design Grid
Edexcel Students: You must fill out a table exactly like this in your exam. AQA Students: Use this structure to write perfect paragraphs (Point ➔ Effect ➔ Terminology).
Element / Effect
How would it enhance the extract for the audience?
Technical language you could use
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