overview Flashcards
(10 cards)
gerald
In An Inspector Calls, Gerald Croft is presented as a charming yet morally ambiguous character, symptomatic of the upper-class attitudes of responsibility evasion in Edwardian society. His affair with Eva Smith reveals the careless exploitation hidden beneath his polished exterior and highlights the failure of the privileged to acknowledge the impact of their actions on the less fortunate. Through Gerald, Priestley critiques the superficiality and selfishness of the wealthy, urging a more honest acceptance of social duty.
capitalism vs socialism
In An Inspector Calls, Priestley contrasts capitalism and socialism to critique the selfishness of the upper classes and advocate for collective responsibility. The capitalist mindset, represented by Mr. Birling’s focus on profit and individual success, is shown as short-sighted and damaging to society. In contrast, the Inspector embodies socialist ideals, emphasising that everyone is interconnected and must act with empathy and social conscience to create a fairer world.
gender
In An Inspector Calls, Priestley examines gender roles to reveal the limitations and expectations placed on women in Edwardian society. Female characters like Sheila and Eva Smith highlight the vulnerability and oppression women faced, while Mrs. Birling represents the rigid, judgmental attitudes that upheld these inequalities. Through their experiences, Priestley critiques the patriarchal system and advocates for greater equality and respect between the genders.
eva smith
In “An Inspector Calls”, J.B Priestley presents Eva Smith as a universal symbol of the suffering and oppression of both women and the lower classes in the 20th century. Through her relationship with the other characters in the play, as well as the events of her life and death, she is portrayed as the victim of a patriarchal society and the class inequality which is apparent throughout the hierarchy of the Edwardian era.
generations
In An Inspector Calls, Priestley uses the generational divide to critique the entrenched selfishness of the older generation versus the hopeful idealism of the young. Mr. and Mrs. Birling represent the complacent upper class, stubbornly refusing to accept any social responsibility, while Sheila and Eric are portrayed as more open-minded and willing to change. This contrast is symptomatic of Priestley’s belief that the future depends on the younger generation’s ability to challenge outdated values and embrace collective responsibility.
social class
In An Inspector Calls, Priestley exposes the deep divisions and injustices caused by the rigid social class system of Edwardian England. The wealthy Birlings’ arrogance and disregard for the working class, exemplified by their treatment of Eva Smith, highlight the cruelty bred by social inequality. Through the Inspector’s interrogation, Priestley challenges the audience to recognise the harmful effects of class privilege and to embrace a more equitable sense of social responsibility.
exploitation
In An Inspector Calls, Priestley condemns the exploitation of the working class by the privileged elite, revealing how those in power manipulate and discard vulnerable individuals for personal gain. Through Gerald’s affair with Eva Smith and Mr. Birling’s ruthless business practices, Priestley exposes the moral corruption underpinning capitalist society. This critique serves to highlight the urgent need for social reform and greater accountability among the wealthy.
materialism and wealth
In An Inspector Calls, Priestley critiques the obsession with materialism and wealth that dominates Edwardian society’s upper classes. Characters like Mr. Birling embody this capitalist mindset, prioritising profit and status over ethical responsibility and human compassion. Through the unfolding drama, Priestley exposes the moral emptiness of such values and advocates for a shift towards collective welfare and social conscience.
Power & Authority
In An Inspector Calls, Priestley interrogates the use and abuse of power and authority within Edwardian society. Mr Birling wields economic dominance, the Inspector commands moral authority, and both men’s voices shape the fates of those beneath them—most poignantly, Eva Smith. By juxtaposing Birling’s self‑serving bluster with the Inspector’s collective ethos, Priestley exposes how entrenched hierarchies can either perpetuate injustice or catalyse social change, urging the audience to question who deserves to lead and why.
Responsibility
Priestley foregrounds responsibility as the play’s ethical fulcrum, asserting that every action reverberates beyond the individual. The Inspector’s refrain—“We are members of one body”—confronts each character with their complicity in Eva’s demise, dismantling the Birlings’ excuses and Gerald’s self‑justification. In dramatizing acceptance versus denial , Priestley champions a collective moral conscience, warning post‑war audiences that society’s health depends on embracing accountability rather than deflecting it.
