Priestley’s socialistic belief that ‘we are responsible for each other’ is a significant theme throughout the play An Inspector Calls. Priestly demonstrates the difference between those who have accepted their responsibility and those who have not by doing this he outlines the problems with the idea that people should only care about themselves. The play explores the socialist idea that ‘We are responsible for each other’ and that an individualistic, materialistic, capitalist society is not the way forward.
Priestly displays the character of Mr Birling as a person who does not take responsibility this evident when he states ‘A man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own – and- we hear the sharp ring of a front door
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bell. Birling stops to listen’ Priestly positions this in the first act to establish Birling’s character as one that is wrong also from this we can get that priestly show Mr Birling as an irresponsible character to undermine him we see this as the doorbell rings to interrupt his speech about how people shouldn’t care about others this is significant as the person at the door is the inspector s entrance (the inspector represents Priestley’s socialistic views) this foreshadows that the inspector views on responsibility are superior to Birling’s individualistic views , this will influence the audiences opinion so they take responsibility as they see Birling character being undermined who doesn’t take responsibility. Another way priestly undermines birling is through the use of dramatic irony as he say that the titanic is ‘Absolutely unsinkable’ this also discredits Birling’s beliefs as the audience know he is wrong. Mr and Mrs Birling are the older generation and have a high status in society. As well as Mr Birling Priestly show us that Mrs Birling is also individualistic and doesn’t take responsibility for anything this is clear when she declares ‘it is his responsibility’ this show us that even though she has a responsibility towards Eva Smiths death she won’t take any responsibility and push the blame towards someone else. In 1912 (the time the play is set) the upper classes like Mr and Mrs Birling would take no responsibility to help the needy this why Priestly set the play in 1912 to show the audience that the cause of both world wars where people like this who don’t help or take responsibility for anything and just increase the division between the rich and the poor. Another way in which Priestly explores the theme of responsibility is by showing the younger generation (Eric and Sheila) as people who understand their faults, take responsibility and have the capacity to change an example of this is when Sheila utters ‘I can’t help thinking about this girl—destroying herself so horribly—and I’ve been so happy tonight.’ The realisation hits her straight away that she is at fault and takes responsibility unlike her parents which shows that there outlook is different.
Priestly is trying to relate the younger generation of 1912 to the audience of 1945 to reflect to the audience that change is good and that by taking responsibility for think it will liberate you and satisfy you as you realise your wrongs and look to fix them. This will impact the audience to right their wrongs and take responsibility. Eric also takes responsibilities for his actions this is evident when he states ’It’s what happened to the girl what we all did’ the reader can see from this that Eric can be compared to Sheila as they are both part of the younger generation which are relatable to the audience of 1945 and both feel guilty and take responsibility for their actions priestly does this to convey the message to the audience that only once we take responsibility can society change for the
better. Priestly creates a contrast between the younger and older generation. The younger generation are open minded and understand that responsibility must be taken for their actions this is apparent when Eric states ‘What’s the use of talking about behaving sensibly. You’re begging to pretend now that that nothings really happened at all. The girls still dead isn’t she? Nobody’s bought her back to life have they?’ then Sheila adds ‘(Eagerly) that’s just what I feel. And it’s what I don’t seem to understand.’ This shows us the difference between the generations as the younger generation (who are aligned with the audience) are trying to make the older generation to realise and take responsibility for what has happened as they see their wrongs unlike the older generation. We see that the stage direction ‘Eagerly’ is used to show that Sheila agrees with everything Eric is saying and that she has fully accepted her responsibility like Eric. However the old generation haven’t taken responsibility and have stayed the same only thinking about themselves. Priestly does this to show that taking responsibility is a key part of socialism as that’s what the younger generation represent this shows us that one of the main differences between capitalism and socialism is that socialists take responsibility whereas capitalists don’t. In conclusion Priestly explores the theme of responsibility by giving the different members of the birling household different attitudes towards responsibility in particular the younger and older generation’s attitude towards responsibility. Priestly overall message is that society can only change and right there wrongs once they take responsibility.
How Priestly Uses the Characters to Represent His Own Views on Society The play "An Inspector Calls" is set in 1912 but was written in 1945. Edwardian society at that time (1912) was strictly divided into social classes and over two-thirds of the nation's wealth was in the hands of less than 1% of the population. Below the very rich were the middle classes (doctors and merchants, shop workers and clerks), after that came the craftsmen and skilled workers. At the very bottom of the social ladder was the largest class of all - the ordinary workers and the poor, many of whom lived below the poverty level. The men of industry treated the workers very badly and they were paid pittance.
...are lower class or upper class (‘[W]e don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.’). Priestley believed in socialism, he uses the Inspector to express his thoughts about this. This is the main message that he wanted the audience to take away.
On overall, Priestley has presented the two characters, Arthur and Sheila Birling as completely differently. He wanted to match the story to the historical context of the 1910’s, but he has done this differently with Sheila. This is because the play was written in 1946 and the world had two wars and has started to comprehend the strength of community. She is the young generation of the 1910’s this means in a few years down the line, a war is going to break out and if they keep making the same mistake over and over again, it’s not going to turn out any better, by this, we see what happens in the second world war. This is why Sheila has been presented so that she understands consequences of what might happen if we don’t pull ourselves together.
Examine Priestley's use of dramatic techniques to create tension in the play. Priestly was a socialist writer, and 'An Inspector Calls' is one of the plays in which he tried to display his socialist ideals in. The play was written in the 1940's, a little after the end of the Second World War, and it was first performed in 1946, in Russia, then later in England. Priestly had served in World War 1, and the terrible scenes he saw lead to him having socialist views. He was inspired by other writers whose views he shared, especially George Orwell and H.G.
Socialism is one of the greatest messages that Priestley conveys. This message is spoken through the inspector. The Inspector represents Priestley’s strong moral views. Through the play, the Inspector’s character is shown as if he is Priestley’s image, and also shows that he is no ordinary Inspector. His character is shown as if he is more concerned with morality than legality, other than that of an ordinary Policeman/Inspector.
JB Priestley’s intent in ‘An Inspector Calls’ was to convey the attitudes of socialism to the minds of the society in the Edwardian Era as he was a passionate believer of the concept. Priestley has attempted this through the employment of ‘Inspector Goole’ in the play. In the play drama is displayed through a variety of methods for the interest of the audience and the communication of personal views from JB Priestley.
Priestley’s Main Aim in An Inspector Calls JB Priestly wrote ‘An Inspector Calls’ to enhance the message that ‘we don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other’. This is something Priestly felt strongly about and he succeeded in representing his views through the character of the Inspector in the play itself. He wanted to communicate the message that our actions, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, always affect others.
An Inspector Calls is a play with lots of political messages as well as social messages. J. B. Priestley believed in socialism and he used large amounts of his plays to try and convince people to his way of thinking. It was written in a time when Britain was ruled by a Labour government and socialist policies were seen to be a good way to go. It was a common way of thinking at that time so Priestley's aim for the play was to influence the unconvinced in society.
A morality play is a medieval play designed to teach the audience right from wrong. JB Priestley uses An Inspector call to convey a moral message, which is that you should not judge people on their class i.e. lower working class/higher class. He also expands the views of socialism within the message; this is all made very clear by the use of dramatic devices. Although it is a morality play it is not in the traditional format. Priestley makes it very clear in what he wants the audience to think is moral and immoral. The play also conveys a strong political message. The play encourages the idea of socialism, a society in which responsibility and community are essential, also a place where the community all work together and are responsible for their actions. This is in contrast with capitalism. JB priestly wrote the play in 1945, but it was set in 1912 just before the war, it was later performed in 1946. The play was written after World War I and World War II, Priestley used this to his advantage, it makes the audience feel awful after what has just happened, the majority of the audience would have either lived through one or both of the wars. This helped Priestley promote socialism against capitalism.
J B Priestley clearly had a strong moral conscience which led him to hold socialist beliefs wanting to bring about change against the capitalists who were exploiting the poor working class. In 'An Inspector Calls' Priestley cleverly uses dramatic techniques, lighting and stage directions to produce an emotionally charged setting to bring home a very important message to the correct society of his day and remains a challenge to the society in which we live in now.
The playwright J.B.Priestley in “An Inspector Calls” uses many dramatic devices, including dramatic irony and tension in order to convey a powerful political message throughout the play. Priestley promotes the idea of socialism, suggesting a society in which community and responsibility are predominant. This is in contrast with the idea of capitalism, in which “every man is an island” and has to work for himself, with no second thought for other people. Priestley’s presentation of the Inspector as both omniscient and ominous becomes the manifestation of voicing his views. The play is set in 1912 but written in 1946; both of these years are a time when Britain is in disarray following two destructive and socially devastating world wars. Priestley uses this time difference effectively, showing people that the way forward is socialism. Finally Priestley comprehensively uses symbolism to explore the social breach between the upper and lower classes.
Sheila aligns herself with the Inspector very quickly, and mimics his behaviour in her stage directions, ‘cutting in’ and ‘sharply attentive’. Sheila seems to be the most perceptive member of the family, and connects Eva’s story before anyone else. This idea is further developed when she suspects that Gerald knew Eva Smith previously. During Gerald’s confession Sheila keeps the Inspector on stage, by using metaphorical language when she mimics the inspector ‘giving us a rope so we’ll hang ourselves’, mirroring his manipulative methods, and causing Gerald to confess. Like the inspector, Sheila uses monosyllabic language, ‘we can’t leave it at that’ to question Gerald, thus creating a tense atmosphere, which demonstrates her newfound confidence. This is symbolic of the time, because women were on the cusp of change, and gaining more rights, Sheila challenges the gender roles of the time, transforming herself, and intensifying Priestley’s message of equality. Sheila’s full transformation is realised when the Inspector is no longer there to guide her, as she has absorbed the Inspector’s message of community, and does not want her family to regress back to their previous façade ‘you don’t seem to have learnt anything’. This was particularly relevant for the audience in 1946 as the destruction caused by WW2 had changed their outlook, and the younger generation was seeking change. The Inspector
Mr Birling, a wealthy capitalist man, and a "rather portentous man," is an ignorant, over-confident, arrogant man who finds it difficult to think about other people. He doesn’t believe in "community and all that nonsense". Birling has a narrow perspective of the world and says that "a man has to make us own way". After Eva had lost her job, he expected her to fend for herself, which was an unfair judgement. Birling dismisses the idea of social responsibility and he calls people like the Inspector "cranks". Birling didn’t care about his workers and proudly says "I have a couple hundred workers under me, who keep changing," which further iterates the idea of him being arrogant and boastful.
The play “An Inspector Calls” makes us realize that the philosophy “no man is an island” (John Donne) is a lesson that we should learn. It means that no-one should isolate themselves and that if a person dies etc. then the lives of others are seriously altered. “An Inspector Calls” by J.B. Priestly gets this view across. The main plot involves the Birling family and the girl’s fiancé celebrating when a mysterious inspector turns up and asks some questions about a girl’s suicide. It turns out they are all, in some way, involved in her death.
Contemporary drama is the type of drama that represents social and political changes of the world in the 19th century - and that is exactly what ‘An Inspector Calls is’ - a microcosm of society; It was written by English dramatist J.B.Priestley to portray the insecurities of the society in the 1900’s and reiterate the message of collective social responsibility. He executed this by advocating his own view through the characters in ‘An Inspector Calls’ as each represented the pressures and pleasures of the social hierarchy and how they all had a part to play in Eva Smith’s suicide. Though each character's behaviour towards Eva Smith was outrageous, Mrs Birling’s part in the death and her reaction to it was prominent. This is due to various things and we see this as her character develops throughout the play.