An Inspector Call - Themes Flashcards
(5 cards)
How is gender presented?
Sheila : “sorry daddy actually I was listening” presents sheila to be immature and childish. It also demonstrates Sheila’s lack of responsibility during a serious situation, contrasting with Sheila’s further development. Mr birling reminding Sheila what to do portrays him to control her and have authority over her. However the use of “actually” implies sheila is challenging his authority.
Eric : “was in that state where a chap turns easily nasty” portrays Eric to acknowledge what he did but he is trying to justify and make excuses for his actions and not take accountability for them. It implies Eric felt entitled and empowered in the moment to use Eva, without thinking about what it would do to her. His excused reveal their relationship was not serious, it meant very little to Eric and he didn’t respect the relationship.
How is exploitation presented?
Eric : “was in that state where a chap turns easily nasty” portrays Eric to acknowledge what he did but he is trying to justify and make excuses for his actions and not take accountability for them. It implies Eric felt entitled and empowered in the moment to use Eva, without thinking about what it would do to her. His excused reveal their relationship was not serious, it meant very little to Eric and he didn’t respect the relationship.
Mr birling : “lower costs and higher prices” reveals mr birlings capitalist views and his harsh perspective. It demonstrates his lack of empathy and care for the well being of the working class. Mr birling focuses on his own life, business and greed without thinking of others, he views exploitation as okay due to it profiting him. This links to the upper class believing they have authority over the working class.
We never heard Eva speak to defend herself
How is generation gap presented?
Mr birling : “I can’t accept any responsibility” reflects the upper class attitudes and refusal to acknowledge the consequences that their actions has on lower class people. Mr birling believes that Eva’s consequences are her own fault, and he feels not remorse for her. Preistly constructs mr birling to be an arrogant business man who doesn’t take any responsibility for his actions and who puts profit before people, this indicates to the audience the impact of capitalism and need for change.
Mrs birling : “she only had herself to blame” reveals Mrs birling distance from any guilt, her inability to accept responsibility and her lack of empathy and detachment from the working class. This demonstrates her privileged perspective and class prejudice.
Sheila : “I’ll never do it again to anybody” reflects the change in character of Sheila and her acceptance of responsibility after realising the consequences of her actions. It highlights her maturity and willingness to learn from her past mistakes, she is no longer naïve and spoken for. “Never” emphasises the depth of Sheila’s commitment to change as well as her genuine remorse for her last behaviours. Priestly constructed Sheila to change for the better to give a sense of hope for the future.
Eric : “You lot may be letting yourselves out nicely, but I can’t” highlights a clear difference from his earlier attitudes of excusing and justifying his actions. Eric feels a deep and genuine guilt which he can not dismiss. He now takes accountability for his role in Eva’s death demonstrating he is taking the situation seriously and has become more self aware, unlike his parents. He clearly shows he has a sense of social responsibility. The use of “you lot” indicates a clear divide between him and the older Birlings. He’s frustrated that they’re trying to move on without truly accepting blame, highlighting the generational conflict and gap in the play.
How is social class presented?
Mr birling : “if you don’t come down sharply on these people they’d soon be asking for the earth” metaphorical dialogue reveals his capitalist and class-based views, with a lack of empathy and social responsibility. He believes keeping control over the working class is essential for business and social stability. “Come down sharply” indicates mr birlings belief in hierarchy, because he thinks he has authority over the working class as he is upper class. Priestly uses this quite to criticise mr birlings attitudes as priestly wants the audience to recognise those views are harmful and we should look after the working class, with socialist views.
Gerald : “you couldn’t have done anything else” reveals his priority of social standing over acceptance of responsibility. By agreeing with mr birling implies Eric also has capitalist views and puts profit over the well-being of the workers. It demonstrates a lack of empathy for Eva, as well as a lack on understanding and compassion for others in her position.
How is capitalism vs socialism presented?
Mr birling : “unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable” the dramatic irony from the play being set in 1912 but written in 1945, when the titanic had already sunk, makes mr birling look foolish and untrustworthy. Priestly intended to do this to make the audience not take mr birling, and his capitalists views, seriously. Priestly did this as he has socialist views and wanted society to also have socialist views. This links to why he made ‘an inspector calls’ a play which was so his ideas were seen and heard in action.
Inspector : “We don’t live alone” the metaphor reveals this is priestlys own voice and opinions as he believed in the importance of community and social responsibility. It expresses the shared responsibility within society, highlighting that everyone is affected by the actions of others, and the lack of social responsibility can cause a collective suffering. It indicates to the audience that everyone is equally as important as one another, this links to priestlys socialist views.
Sheila : “ fire, blood and anguish” reveals she is the inspectors proxy as she is repeating the inspectors words. Priestly constructed Sheila’s character like this for her to continue teaching social responsibility to her obdurate family. Sheila has become disillusioned to the views of capitalism. The actual metaphor conveys if humanity and society doesn’t change and learn, people will suffer and be punished. It is a warning to the audience. The nouns would arguably trigger an emotive and fearful response in the 1945 audience given their recent experiences of World War II, they would therefore be more likely to take this warning seriously.
Mr birling : “my duty to keep labour costs down” reveals his prioritisation of profit over the workers well being, reflecting his capitalist mindset, as he fails to acknowledge any social responsibilities towards his workers. Priestly uses this to criticise the exploitation and social injustice which was happening due to capitalism. Highlighting how the want for more profit can lead to neglect and exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
