Themes in an inspector calls

Themes in an inspector calls

• 1.
  THEMES IN AN INSPECTORCALLS
• 2.
  Social Responsibility ■ Theplay was performed in the UK after the end ofWWII (1946). ■ Priestley wanted to address the issue of people who could not afford to look after themselves, as there was no assistance for those people. ■ He also felt that if people were more considerate towards one another it would improve the quality of life for all. ■ Priestley wanted his audience to be responsible for their own behaviour and the welfare of others.
• 3.
  Social Responsibility ■ Howis the theme of social responsibility shown in the play? – The treatment of Eva Smith – How each character does or doesn’t take responsibility for their behaviour – The Inspector’s lessons.
• 4.
  ■ Sheila feelssocially responsible – “All right Gerald, you needn’t look at me like that. At least I’m trying to tell the truth. I expect you’ve done things you’re ashamed of too.” – Sheila takes responsibility for her actions and tells the truth. Gerald is being judgemental of her even though he has not yet taken responsibility for his own actions. ■ Mr Birling does not feel socially responsible – “If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody we’d had anything to do with, it would be very awkward, wouldn’t it?” – Mr Birling dismisses the idea that we should be responsible for each other, suggesting that such a situation would be ‘awkward’. ■ Eric feels socially responsible – “I don’t see much nonsense about it when a girl goes and kills herself.You lot may be letting yourselves out nicely, but I can’t. Nor can mother.We did her in all right” – Eric clearly shows that he has a sense of social responsibility.Whilst Gerald and Eric’s parents are enjoying the matter of Eva’s death very seriously. He is even brave enough to tell his mother that she should feel responsible too. ■ Mrs Birling does not feel socially responsible – “I should think not Eric, I’m absolutely ashamed of you.” – In telling Eric that she is ashamed of him she shows that she has learned nothing from the Inspector’s investigation.The audience would know that she is in no position to be questioning the behaviour of anyone else given her own treatment of Eva Smith and lack of social responsibility. ■ The Inspector’s lessons – “it’s better to ask for the earth than to take it.” – Here the Inspector is suggesting that it is socially irresponsible to be greedy and ‘take’ things without permission..This is a practice the privileged Birlings would be used to.
• 5.
  Age ■ How isthe theme of age shown in the play? – Shelia and Eric’s response to Eva’s death. – Mr and Mrs Birling’s response to Eva’s death. – How the older characters perceive the younger ones.
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  ■ Sheila andEric – “You’re beginning to pretend now that nothing’s really happened at all.” – Eric sees that his parents are trying to ‘pretend’ that nothing happened when it is suggested that the Inspector was not real. He and Sheila, the younger characters, still feel responsible. ■ Mr and Mrs Birling – “So I was perfectly justified in advising my committee not to allow her claim for assistance” – Despite hearing about all the misfortune that Eva Smith has suffered, Mrs Birling is unmoved and stubbornly stands by her decision to turn Eva away. ■ OlderVs younger – Why, you hysterical young fool – get back – or I’ll –” – Mr Birling implies here that Eric is a ‘fool’ because he is young. Ironically, it is the older Arthur who nearly resorts to physical violence.
• 7.
  Gender ■ How isthe theme of gender shown in the play? – How Mr Birling and GeraldCroft view women – How Mrs Birling treats Eva Smith – How Eva Smith is portrayed as independent and outspoken before her death.
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  ■ How MrBirling refers to women – “…not only something to make ‘em look prettier – but – well, a sort of token of their self-respect.” – Mr Birling shows that he has a patronising view of women, making the suggestion that clothes are a sign of self-respect for them. He has a stereotypical view of women here and does not seem them as individuals but suggests that all women think in the same way. ■ How Gerald refers to women – “I hate those hard-eyed dough-faced women.” – Gerald shows that he can be very superficial in his view of woman. If they don’t meet his standard of how they ‘should’ look, he dislikes them. ■ How Mrs Birling treats Eva Smith – “She was claiming elaborate fine feelings and scruples that were simply absurd in a girl in her position” – Priestly shows that even women like Mrs Birling can be just as cruel and old fashioned as men are. She does no try to empathise with a member of her own gender.This is also highlights her negative attitude towards the working class.
• 9.
  Class ■ How isclass shown in the play? – When Eva is a factory worker. – When Eva works in a shop – When Eva is effectively homeless – When Eva is potentially a single mother.
• 10.
  ■ Mr Birling’sopinion of the working class – “If you don’t come down sharply on some of these people, they’d soon be asking for the earth”. – Mr Birling feels that it is his responsibility to come down ‘sharply’ on ‘these people’. Priestly wanted the audience to realise that this is the wrong attitude to have, we should be looking after ‘these people’ not punishing them. ■ The behaviour of the Birlings’ friends. – “He's a notorious womaniser as well as being one of the worst sots and rogues in Brumley.” - Joe Meggarty is an 'Alderman' or a council member. The rest of the family is shocked to hear that he is a 'sot' (another word for a drunk), and a womaniser. Much to the Birlings' surprise, their upper-class friends can behave badly. ■ Mrs Birling’s opinion of the working class – “As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!” - Mrs Birling refers to Eva Smith as a 'girl of that sort'. She clearly has preconceptions about working-class girls suggesting that they lack morals and will always take money.