How does Priestly present the differences between the younger and older
generation?
The principal theme of An Inspector Calls is easily detectable. In the 1930s, Priestly became
concerned about the consequences of social inequality in Britain. He was a socialist who
believed in social responsibility and was highly critical of the rigid and unjust class systems
that pervaded Edwardian society. His moral diatribe explores: the ills of capitalism, the
failures to assist the ailing poor and ultimately the importance of collective responsibility. He
achieves this through the differences between the older and younger generation. Mr Birling
is a symbol of the coldness and heartlessness of capitalism. He is very satisfied with the way
he has risen in the world and sees himself as the best defender of his interests and those of
his class. Whereas his son Eric Birling challenges the ideology of capitalism and is more
receptive to socialist values. He acts as a symbol of change in comparison to the rigid beliefs
of the older generation allowing the audience to have hope and faith in the younger
generation of society.
The opening stage directions are significant as the “closed set” could represent the closed
minds of the Birlings. They are unreceptive to new ideas and self-absorbed as they are only
interested in their own world. However, after Eric’s interaction with the Inspector, he accepts
his harsh moral message with an open mind, giving him the ability to change and leave the
“closed set”. The “closed set” also creates an atmosphere on stage that is both
claustrophobic and tense. Once the Inspector arrives, the characters are pushed into close
proximity with each other, forcing them to confess the sins they committed against Eva
Smith. However, it is only Eric who truly repents. Mr Birling refuses to accept any
responsibility for the death of Eva.
The pink and intimate lighting at the start of the play is a deliberate choice by the playwright
as it holds symbolic meaning and creates a happy and relaxed atmosphere on stage. It
illustrates how the Birlings have a “rose-tinted” view of the world and how they collectively
share the deluded belief that life for them and people of their class will always be “rosy”.
They are happy and content with their living situation and the lighting conveys this succinctly.
However, with the arrival of the Inspector, the lighting changes significantly. The drastic
change in lighting indicates a drastic change in the mood and atmosphere. The “brighter and
harder” lighting illustrates how the actions of the Birlings will be exposed. The harsh lighting
also represents the Inspector’s harsh message which acts as a moral awakening as he
generation?
The principal theme of An Inspector Calls is easily detectable. In the 1930s, Priestly became
concerned about the consequences of social inequality in Britain. He was a socialist who
believed in social responsibility and was highly critical of the rigid and unjust class systems
that pervaded Edwardian society. His moral diatribe explores: the ills of capitalism, the
failures to assist the ailing poor and ultimately the importance of collective responsibility. He
achieves this through the differences between the older and younger generation. Mr Birling
is a symbol of the coldness and heartlessness of capitalism. He is very satisfied with the way
he has risen in the world and sees himself as the best defender of his interests and those of
his class. Whereas his son Eric Birling challenges the ideology of capitalism and is more
receptive to socialist values. He acts as a symbol of change in comparison to the rigid beliefs
of the older generation allowing the audience to have hope and faith in the younger
generation of society.
The opening stage directions are significant as the “closed set” could represent the closed
minds of the Birlings. They are unreceptive to new ideas and self-absorbed as they are only
interested in their own world. However, after Eric’s interaction with the Inspector, he accepts
his harsh moral message with an open mind, giving him the ability to change and leave the
“closed set”. The “closed set” also creates an atmosphere on stage that is both
claustrophobic and tense. Once the Inspector arrives, the characters are pushed into close
proximity with each other, forcing them to confess the sins they committed against Eva
Smith. However, it is only Eric who truly repents. Mr Birling refuses to accept any
responsibility for the death of Eva.
The pink and intimate lighting at the start of the play is a deliberate choice by the playwright
as it holds symbolic meaning and creates a happy and relaxed atmosphere on stage. It
illustrates how the Birlings have a “rose-tinted” view of the world and how they collectively
share the deluded belief that life for them and people of their class will always be “rosy”.
They are happy and content with their living situation and the lighting conveys this succinctly.
However, with the arrival of the Inspector, the lighting changes significantly. The drastic
change in lighting indicates a drastic change in the mood and atmosphere. The “brighter and
harder” lighting illustrates how the actions of the Birlings will be exposed. The harsh lighting
also represents the Inspector’s harsh message which acts as a moral awakening as he
