Working Class Struggles and Social Responsibility

The character of Eva Smith/Daisy Renton serves as a powerful representation of working class struggles in early 20th century Britain. Her story illustrates the exploitation and limited options available to working-class women of the time.

Quote: "But these girls aren't cheap labour - they're people."

This quote from the Inspector emphasizes the dehumanizing effect of capitalist exploitation on working-class individuals.

The play explores the theme of social responsibility, challenging the individualistic attitudes of characters like Mr Birling.

Definition: Social Responsibility - The idea that individuals and organizations have a duty to act for the benefit of society at large.

The Inspector serves as a mouthpiece for Priestley's socialist views, arguing that society is interconnected and that the actions of the privileged have far-reaching consequences for the less fortunate.

Highlight: The Inspector's investigation reveals how each member of the Birling family contributed to Eva Smith's downfall, emphasizing collective responsibility.

The play also touches on the limited rights and opportunities for women during this period. Sheila Birling's character arc demonstrates a growing awareness of these inequalities.

Example: Sheila's initial acceptance of her father's decision to fire Eva Smith, followed by her later realization of the injustice, shows her developing social conscience.

The clock motif in the play symbolizes the rigid nature of Mr Birling's views, which remain unchanged despite the passage of time and the revelations brought by the Inspector.

Vocabulary: Motif - A recurring element in a work of literature that has symbolic significance.

Context: Capitalism and Class Divisions

J.B. Priestley's "An Inspector Calls" is set against the backdrop of Edwardian England, a time of rigid class structures and capitalist ideologies. The play explores the stark contrast between the wealthy upper classes and the struggling working class.

Highlight: The play is set in 1912 but was written in 1945, allowing Priestley to comment on social changes that occurred between these periods.

Mr Birling is presented as the epitome of capitalist thinking. He represents the wealthy industrialist class that prioritizes profit over people's welfare.

Quote: "A man has to make his own way—has to look after himself—and his family too, of course, when he has one—and so long as he does that he won't come to much harm."

This quote encapsulates Mr Birling's belief in individual responsibility and his dismissal of collective social duty.

Example: Mr Birling's desire for his daughter to marry into a wealthy family demonstrates his capitalist mindset, viewing marriage as a business opportunity rather than an emotional connection.

The play contrasts capitalist and socialist ideologies, with characters like the Inspector representing a more socially conscious perspective.

Vocabulary: Capitalism - An economic system based on private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit.

Vocabulary: Socialism - A political and economic theory advocating for collective ownership and democratic control of the means of production.

The stark class distinctions of the Edwardian era are highlighted through characters like Edna, the Birlings' maid, who represents the voiceless working class.