How does J.B. Priestley portray social class as a significant theme in An
Inspector Calls?
Priestley portrays the upper-class characters - the Birlings and Gerald - as dislikable
from the beginning of the play to reflect his negative view of upper-class people in
1912 onwards. For example, Priestley uses dramatic irony when Mr Birling wrongly
assumes that the Titanic is 'unsinkable' to present Mr Birling as proud and foolish.
Priestley was a socialist who believed that capitalist, upper-class individuals of the
time were not doing enough to help the lower classes. So he mocks the upper-class
characters in the play to highlight the flaws of his upper-class contemporaries.
The mistreatment of the lower-class girl Eva Smith reflects the neglection of the
lower classes in 1912. Inspector Goole's interrogation of the Birlings and Gerald
reveals that every character contributed to Eva Smith's death by abusing their power,
yet characters like Mrs Birling think Eva deserves her misfortune: ‘She had only
herself to blame’ (Act 2). Mrs Birlings use of the pronoun 'she', instead of using Eva's
name, may reflect how little she respects Eva. Priestley lived through two world wars
that saw the poor suffer greatly compared with the wealthier, upper classes. So
Priestley uses characters like Mrs Birling to show that the upper classes were
neglecting their duty to the lower classes.
The younger Birlings - Eric and Sheila - accept responsibility for Eva Smith's death
by the end of the play. In Act 3, Sheila says 'if I could help her now, I would', which
shows a structural progression from Act 2, where we learn she had Eva Smith fired
from her job. This structural change in attitude symbolises the rise of socialism at the
beginning of the 20th century, which promoted greater social equality.
Inspector Calls?
Priestley portrays the upper-class characters - the Birlings and Gerald - as dislikable
from the beginning of the play to reflect his negative view of upper-class people in
1912 onwards. For example, Priestley uses dramatic irony when Mr Birling wrongly
assumes that the Titanic is 'unsinkable' to present Mr Birling as proud and foolish.
Priestley was a socialist who believed that capitalist, upper-class individuals of the
time were not doing enough to help the lower classes. So he mocks the upper-class
characters in the play to highlight the flaws of his upper-class contemporaries.
The mistreatment of the lower-class girl Eva Smith reflects the neglection of the
lower classes in 1912. Inspector Goole's interrogation of the Birlings and Gerald
reveals that every character contributed to Eva Smith's death by abusing their power,
yet characters like Mrs Birling think Eva deserves her misfortune: ‘She had only
herself to blame’ (Act 2). Mrs Birlings use of the pronoun 'she', instead of using Eva's
name, may reflect how little she respects Eva. Priestley lived through two world wars
that saw the poor suffer greatly compared with the wealthier, upper classes. So
Priestley uses characters like Mrs Birling to show that the upper classes were
neglecting their duty to the lower classes.
The younger Birlings - Eric and Sheila - accept responsibility for Eva Smith's death
by the end of the play. In Act 3, Sheila says 'if I could help her now, I would', which
shows a structural progression from Act 2, where we learn she had Eva Smith fired
from her job. This structural change in attitude symbolises the rise of socialism at the
beginning of the 20th century, which promoted greater social equality.
