An Inspector Calls - Themes
Morality
“Values associated with correct behaviour in society”
- The Birlings may have high respectability but this does not necessarily mean they
have good morals.
- Mr Birling has many important roles within society - alderman (council official),
magistrate and lord mayor as well as supposedly being in the running for a
knighthood….
- These would suggest that he has the community’s best interests at heart however
we go on to see that his actions contradict his words
- Mr Birling is only concerned about his reputation, he seeks to avoid scandal by hiding
the truth.
- Similarly, Mrs Birling is the Chairwoman of The Brumley Women's Charity therefore
has the opportunity to do much good. However, she is responsible for refusing Eva
help when she needed it most.
- She admits that it was her influence on the whole organisation that meant no help
was provided to Eva. “I used my influence to have it refused’
- Note* Mr Birling is concerned about his wife’s decision here, but only because it
could cause scandal, not because of the morality of it.
-
- Contrastingly, Priestley makes it evident that Eva Smith has good morals. Eg: She
knows she cannot marry Eric. “She didn’t want me to marry her…..” She also refuses
to accept any more from Eric when she discovers that he’s stealing the money.
- Mr and Mrs Birling have a lack of conscience. They refuse to accept any blame for
Eva’s death and they believe that they can simply return to life as normal.
- Sheila and Eric recognise that appearance of respectability does not represent
morality. Sheila is agitated by her parent’s lack of understanding - “You’re pretending
everything’s just as it was before”
- She is distressed that her parents views of life seem to be fundamentally unchanged.
Morality
“Values associated with correct behaviour in society”
- The Birlings may have high respectability but this does not necessarily mean they
have good morals.
- Mr Birling has many important roles within society - alderman (council official),
magistrate and lord mayor as well as supposedly being in the running for a
knighthood….
- These would suggest that he has the community’s best interests at heart however
we go on to see that his actions contradict his words
- Mr Birling is only concerned about his reputation, he seeks to avoid scandal by hiding
the truth.
- Similarly, Mrs Birling is the Chairwoman of The Brumley Women's Charity therefore
has the opportunity to do much good. However, she is responsible for refusing Eva
help when she needed it most.
- She admits that it was her influence on the whole organisation that meant no help
was provided to Eva. “I used my influence to have it refused’
- Note* Mr Birling is concerned about his wife’s decision here, but only because it
could cause scandal, not because of the morality of it.
-
- Contrastingly, Priestley makes it evident that Eva Smith has good morals. Eg: She
knows she cannot marry Eric. “She didn’t want me to marry her…..” She also refuses
to accept any more from Eric when she discovers that he’s stealing the money.
- Mr and Mrs Birling have a lack of conscience. They refuse to accept any blame for
Eva’s death and they believe that they can simply return to life as normal.
- Sheila and Eric recognise that appearance of respectability does not represent
morality. Sheila is agitated by her parent’s lack of understanding - “You’re pretending
everything’s just as it was before”
- She is distressed that her parents views of life seem to be fundamentally unchanged.
