How Priestely Uses the Characters in An Inspector Calls to Show Us the Social and Political Situation in England in 1912

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How Priestely Uses the Characters in An Inspector Calls to Show Us the Social and Political Situation in England in 1912

'An Inspector Calls' is set in 1912 England. The British Empire was

very wealthy, successful and powerful however things were beginning to

change. J.B.Priestley wrote the play in 1940, reflecting the changes

that took place to both the social and political aspects of life in

1912. The Birling household is the set for the entire play, and

Priestley uses Eva Smith and Inspector Goole as tools to portray his

views on what happened during 1912. These views were of the rising

power of socialism and the sinking of capitalism, which had been the

way of life throughout the recently ended Victorian era. Arthur

Birling, a rich upper-middle class factory owner symbolises the many

capitalists in Britain. He is very narrow-minded and never open to

suggestions due to his 'hard headed' and pompous nature. The Inspector

represents the massive socialist force, which formed in Russia and

spread to England in order to gain social justice for the working

classes.

During the play, the death of Eva Smith is used to portray how

miserable and laborious the lives of working class girls were in

England around 1912. This sets the scene for the Inspector to enter

the play and bring about a message of necessary changes to the lives

of upper class citizens. It is this change, which begun to take place

on a much greater scale throughout England in 1912, as the need for

greater social justice was highlighted to the capitalists in Britain.

Priestley uses Arthur Birling to symbolise capitalism. Birling is an

upper-middle class citizen and is ver...

... middle of paper ...

...buse young working class

girls, because they simply have the power to do so.

The arrival of the inspector at the Birling residence is a very

significant event, both literally and metaphorically. He knocks at the

door, which signifies a change in the life of the Birling family and a

change for capitalists everywhere in England. The timing of the

Inspectors call also holds significance as it is during the middle of

another pompous speech by Birling. This is a metaphor for the

immediate interruption by socialism against capitalism. It also

highlights one of the inspector's key messages - that the Birlings and

all capitalists must change, and fast. The inspector's abrupt arrival

to the Birling household is used by Priestley to highlight the rapid

change which took place as socialism came knocking at capitalisms

door.

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