GCSE ENGLISH LIT - An Inspector Calls
Capitalistic Views Capitalistic Views
His primary objective was to criticize:
The social interactions between social
What is Priestley’s main objective for writing An
classes
Inspector Calls? ( 2 points)
Highlight the grave impact caused by
capitalism
Firm capitalistic and right wing political views,
believing her and his wife are moral pillars whilst
poorly treating the lower class despite him
What Capitalistic views does Mr Birling exhibit? having gotten rich by being a “social climber”
Social Climber - A person who worked
their way up to become wealthy
“ The titanic is unsinkable”
“The Germans don’t want war”
Presents his skewed, arrogant
beliefs
Give 3 quotes that show Mr Birlings capitalistic
beliefs “I’ll give thousands - yes- thousands”
Mention what these quotes show Presents his simplistic, selfish
nature as he can now spare
money for his benefits but not
25 shillings for an underpaid
worker (Eva Smith)
Mrs Birling exhibits an arrogant ignorance to
those of the lower class. She comes from old
What Capitalistic views does Mrs Birling exhibit?
money, thus feels entitled to privilege she got
throughout her life
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, 04/07/2026, 14:22 GCSE ENGLISH LIT - An Inspector Calls
“Gross impertinence” = Response to her
hearing Eva called herself a Birling
Give 3 quotes that shows Mrs Birlings
Capitalistic beliefs “Used my influence” = Misuse of power
but flaunts herself doing it
Mention what these quotes show
“Girls of that class”= Prejudice towards
the lower class
The state in where a person believes 2
What is Cognitive Dissonance? contrasting opinions, believing and upholding
both
Sheila holds the conditioned capitalism inherited
from her parents, with severe entitlement.
Feeling threatened by a lower-class girl, she
What Capitalistic views does Shiela exhibit?
sought revenge, using her influence to see her
(Mention the effect on the lower class)
dismissal through:
Quote
"If they didn't get rid of that girl... I'd
close our account with them"=
Manipulation/misuse of power
Eric holds the manipulative, entitled capitalistic
views of a man shaped by his surroundings,
leading to his obliviousness to the struggles of
What capitalistic views does Eric exhibit? the lower class, as he believes money will
(Mention the effect on the lower class) redeem his guilt — all stemming from his
neglectful parents:
Quote
"I was in the state when a chap turns
nasty" = Toxic masculinity, stemming
from neglect
Gerald is seen as the new generation of
capitalists; Priestley draws parallels between the
What capitalistic views does Gerald exhibit? two generations, though Gerald also shows
(Mention the effect on lower class) genuine affection (unlike Mr & Mrs Birling, who
see all relationships as transactional), as he
loved Eva for a time
"It wasn't disgusting" = rebukes a higher
Give 2 quotes that show Gerald’s Capitalistic authority in defence of his "love"
views "Yes, I think you were... Sheila, don't look
Mention what these quotes show like that" = Reprimands Sheila and
supports cold, unfeeling attitudes
How is the Inspector a proxy (representation) for The Inspector acts as a catalyst for Priestley's
J.B. Priestley? (+quote) pro-socialist views, encouraging the audience
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