What are the 5 themes in Inspector Calls?

An Inspector Calls Themes

• Wealth, Power, and Influence. The Birlings are a family of wealth and power, who take pride in their high social position.
• Blame and Responsibility.
• Public versus Private.
• Class Politics.
• Morality and Legality.

What is the message of the play An Inspector Calls?

An Inspector Calls is scathing in its criticism of middle-class hypocrisy. The play gives voice to Priestley’s strong socialist principles, and carries a clear moral message, stressing the importance of social responsibility: ‘We don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other’.

What does Mrs Birling represent?

Priestley’s message Priestley uses Mrs Birling as a symbol to represent the wealthier, privileged classes and their selfish attitudes. She sees the working class as morally inferior. Priestley wanted his audience to despise Mrs Birling and the ignorant social snobbery she represents.

Who does Eva Smith represent?

the working class
Eva smith, represents not only responsibility but forces the Birling family to feel and accept their guilt. She is the symbol of the working class within a capitalist society; ‘smith’ being a common surname represents the common working man and more specifically woman.

Is capitalism a theme in An Inspector Calls?

Priestley presents Capitalism as a self-absorbed, amoral system​where an individual’s purpose is ​reduced to their ability to make money​. Mr Birling as symbolic of Capitalism’s dominance Priestley uses Mr Birling to reflect Capitalism’s ​arrogance and dominance​at the start of the century.

What are Priestley’s intentions in An Inspector Calls?

J.B Priestley’s main aim in writing “an inspector calls” was to highlight the problems in society of 1912 and to make the audience appreciate that the problems would only be solved if people took responsibility for each other. He also wished to write an exciting play that would be watched by many people.

How relevant is An Inspector Calls in the 21st century?

‘An Inspector Calls’ remains relevant because of the issues that often occur in the play. This is when the Birlings as a whole family are prejudiced towards the lower class.

In what ways is the inspector significant in the play?

The Inspector serves multiple functions with the play:

• To make the character confess their actions.
• To control and encourage speech and movement on stage.
• To instigate moments of tension and intrigue.
• To act as a vehicle for Priestley’s moral message.

Is Gerald a socialist or capitalist?

Aligned with Mr Birling’s capitalist views However, it seems more likely that this is Gerald’s legitimate belief as he will inherit the Croft family business and is therefore entrenched in capitalism.

What does Eric and Eva’s baby Symbolise?

Eva and Eric’s baby could be symbolic of a bridge between the upper and lower classes. It has the power to bring them two classes together and yet Mrs Birling destroys the baby because she is only interested in self preservation.

What is dramatic irony in An Inspector Calls?

There is dramatic irony in the way Mrs Birling is trapped at the end of the scene. When she forcefully blames ‘some drunken young idler’, the audience realise that she is describing Eric. This also highlights her hypocrisy to the audience: we know that she would not apply the same standards to her own family.

Why is Mr Birling responsible for Eva’s death?

Birling is partly to blame for the death of Eva Smith because after she came back from her holiday and went on strike Mr. Birling fired her. ‘And so was the strike. Pitiful affair’, ‘we let them all come back except four or five ringleaders’.

What is Priestley’s message in An Inspector Calls?

J.B Priestley was a socialist and believed that everyone should look after each other and be a community. Priestley’s aim is to show the audience how being self centred and arrogant leads to trouble and that there is a better way of improving the life of others.