An Inspector Calls Revision 114p5r

An Inspector Calls Revision Mr. Birling Priestley used the character of Mr. Birling to represent how the upper-class frowned upon people below them in society Priestley was concerned about the consequences of social inequality in Britain, and the disparity caused by wealth and class divide. He believed that what resulted from this were the very characteristics shown in Mr. Birling (selfishness, inability to it responsibility for his part in Eva’s death, exploitative tendencies, power, lust etc.) Priestley wanted to encourage his audience to dislike Mr. Birling and to see him as a fool – by rejecting the attitudes held by Mr. Birling, Priestley’s audience could lead a better life. Throughout the play, Priestley makes it clear that there is a consequence for every action. Through Mr. Birling’s thoughtless actions of firing Eva Smith, his inability to it his partial responsibility in Eva’s death, and Birling wanting to cover up for Eric stealing money, Priestley portrayed the evil side of money and capitalism, as well as his dislike or capitalism due to the lack of care in society for the poor. “...unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable” Mr. Birling – Act One Symbolically, just as the Titanic is destined to sink, so too is Birling's political ideology, under the Inspector's interrogation. The ship was a titan of the seas, and its imminent failure "next week" suggests the dangers of capitalistic hubris. “…a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own…” Mr. Birling – Act One In this quote, Mr. Birling voices his capitalist views in a didactic monologue, unlike Priestley’s own socialist views conveyed through the Inspector. This shows that Priestley is clearly showing the audience that Mr. Birling represents capitalism.

(Stage directions) “We hear the sharp ring of a front door bell.” – Act One Normally, the doorbell signifies the arrival of someone which in this case is Inspector Goole. In this scene, the doorbell interrupts and ends Mr. Birling’s monologue. Metaphorically, it could be argued that the doorbell interrupting Mr. Birling’s capitalist speech represents the idea that socialism is interrupting the capitalist campaign and ending it. Priestley effectively uses the adjective “sharp” to show how the Inspector’s arrival is almost like an assault, intended to inflict pain on the Birlings and their reputation. It could also foreshadow the effect of the Inspector’s interrogation on the Birling family, especially Eric and Sheila and how it destroys their belief in capitalism, making them change later on in the play. “And we’re in for a time of steadily increasing prosperity” “And I say there isn’t a chance of war” Priestley’s clever repeated use of dramatic irony is done in such a way in order to make Mr. Birling constantly appear as an arrogant, over confident man. Firstly, he says “we’re in for a time of steadily increasing prosperity”. However, in 1929, the infamous Wall Street Crash led to the Great Depression. He also says “I say there there isn’t a chance of war”. This would not only make him seem idiotic, but also make him offend the original 1946 audience, seeing as they would of experienced both of the World Wars, with World War 2 only just ending in 1945. By making Mr. Birling first appear as a very capitalism orientated character, then by making him seem idiotic, arrogant and offensive towards the original 1946 audience for An Inspector Calls, Priestley has effectively used dramatic irony to make the audience dislike Mr. Birling. Priestley did this, because if the audience dislikes Mr. Birling, then they will also begin to dislike capitalism. Priestley wanted this. This is because back in 1946, Priestley was a socialist, and wrote this play to promote the idea of social responsibility and socialism and how capitalism led to the two world wars. So if you get rid of capitalism, you get rid of wars.

Mrs. Birling Mrs. Birling represents the wealthier, privileged classes and their selfish attitudes. She sees the lower class as morally inferior – Priestley hated this kind of attitude and believed that people with these attitudes had to change if society was going to work. She makes us see just how awful life was for the lower classes at this time (1912) – the class divide was huge. She played her part in the death of Eva Smith – she turned her away (from her charity) when she needed help. The girl was penniless and pregnant – but Mrs. Birling thought she was lying, as no girl “of that sort” would refuse money. “Girls of that class-“ From the determiner “that”, this shows how Mrs. Birling not only understands the social class system, but also distances herself from the working class Eva is in so much that she even refrains from even referring to the class by its appropriate name. It could be argued that Priestley did this to show how rich, upper-class of society understood the social class system, but did not care as the capitalist views they adopted made them think only of themselves. This would make the reader sympathise with Eva, and also again, despise capitalism as it is the reason for the working class are suffering without help or .

“…please before you start accusing me of anything again that it wasn’t I who had her turned out of her employment – which probably began it all.” This quote shows how selfish and deceitful Mrs. Birling is. She is even willing to blame her own husband to cover her own back. This is done to show the true evilness behind capitalism. It even makes people turn back on their own family. Sheila Birling She represents (with Eric) the younger generation – Priestley saw them as ‘more impressionable’ – after all, they were the future. She gives the audience hope that their society can improve if the people make changes and take responsibility. (Excited)”Oh – Gerald – you’ve got it – is it the one you wanted me to have?’ 1910 View of women – This quote shows what the expectations of women were back in the time the play was set in. It shows how back then, woman were subservient to men and were expected to accept what their male superiors ‘wanted’. “But these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people” This shows how Sheila is already changing her view and becoming more socialism orientated. She realizes how the upper-class neglects the working class and the poor, and that they are human and should be treated equally so.

“I know I’m to blame – and I’m desperately sorry” This quote shows how Sheila is becoming a more socialism orientated person. She is the first to accept responsibility and take some blame over Eva’s death.