social class

Question 1

overview

Answer 1

In ‘An Inspector Calls’ Priestley uses the theme of social class as a vehicle to highlight the distinct division between classes and how it is caused by the upper class’s lack of respect for people below their class. This is achieved through Mr and Mrs Birlings eagerness to protect their status and reputation which contrasts with their children who question the class divide and whether it should be fixed or be able to change. In addition, Priestley presents the Inspector as the voice for the working class to perhaps condemn people in society who, like the elder Birlings, base judgement predominantly on social class.

Question 2

quote 1

Answer 2

“Well, we’ve several hundred young women there, y’know, and they keep changing.”

• This proves how little he cares about his workers - the fact that he easily dismisses Eva’s death and instantly begins distancing himself from the whole situation. This demonstrates how little the life of Eva Smith (lower class) mean to people like Mr Birling (wealthy upper class)

Question 3

quote 2

Answer 3

“She was a lively good-looking girl - country-bred, I fancy - and she’d been working in one of our machine shops for over a year. A good worker too.”

– ‘Good-looking’ shows how Birling, much like most of the upper class is focused on appearance more than anything else.
‘Country bred’ – he describes her like an animal ‘country bred’ - also links to context, the upper classes saw the lower classes and poor people as ‘animals’ because they weren’t well mannered and perfectly spoken.

Question 4

quote 3

Answer 4

“But she died in misery and agony - hating life –

inspector is trying to make them feel guilty about Eva Smith’s suicide by stating she died ‘in misery’ because of them. It makes them feel responsible for her death. The pronoun, ‘she’ indicates how she has no identity of her own and the fact that woman of her class in those days were not treated with respect.