How effectively does Priestly portray mankind's cruelty in his play? Examine the roles of Mr Birling, Mrs Birling and the inspector.

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How effectively does Priestly portray mankind’s cruelty in his play? Examine the roles of Mr Birling, Mrs Birling and the inspector.

        “An Inspector Calls” was set before the First World War, but it was released after the Second World War. One of the main reasons for this was that Priestly wanted to give the audience hindsight so they would know what really happens when the characters are discussing ideology beliefs. Priestly also wanted the audience to understand what capitalist think at that time, this way he could ridicule the views of the future that some of the characters have. This way of dramatic irony is used to manipulate the audiences’ feelings. For example when Mr Birling is discussing war, which is a very sensitive issue, he makes a look of rash prediction which not only makes him untrustworthy it also makes the audience dislike his attitude.

At the time of release of “An Inspector Calls”, there was growing competition from the communist/socialist east, the USSR, which influenced Priestly’s socialist views. Some at that time thought that within a 10 years or so the communism and socialism would spread to the western countries. Priestly himself also believed that the lower class in Britain would one day have a revolution and over throw the upper class. The play shows many examples of cruelty dealt to the lower class by the upper class, for example Mr Birling caring more about his reputation that human life. This shows why the socialist should rebel and overthrow their capitalist leaders.

        Another great influence of his novel is the First and Second World War.  Priestly having served through the First World War saw the horrific battles taking place. He also lost most of his friends that he had known before the war started. One of the main signs of the influence is in a speech by the inspector “in fire and blood and anguish”(Act 3, Page 56). When the First World War broke out, never before had the world see such a horrific war. The “fire” symbolises

the destruction and the havoc cause by the new technology. The “blood” would symbolise the huge loss of human life. The anguish, which may have been one of Priestly feelings in the war, symbolises the suffering and torments that the men faced in the war. Having lived through the Second World War, it gives Priestly hindsight of the result and devastation of the war. This could also be a prophecy of wars that could come in the future if people do not treat other

people fairly. This is a political message that Priestly is try to get through he manipulates the audience into think that if people don’t help each other wars will appear. An other possible meaning of this quote is that the inspector is talking about judgement day were individuals will be held accountable for their abuses. Priestly is trying to focus on the wrongs that the capitalist has done, and this is a warning to them, telling them to correct their wrong or face the

consequences. However judgement day may have another interpretation it may be the day where the lower classes rebel against the upper class.

        Mr Birling is described as a rich businessman who was not born in a wealthy family but worked his way up society. He reflects a person in upper class, but who was not born with wealth instead worked his way up. This shows in several places in the play, one of the most obvious ones is his manners. He seems to be not aware of all the manners that come with his class; instead from time to time he shows manners that are inappropriate. For example he says “Thank you” to Edna the maid. Another sign is his inappropriate long speeches that he gives out during dinner, which is inappropriate since they are concerning politics and business rather than Sheila and Gerald’s engagement. Priestly does this to show the audience how selfish that Mr Birling. He is seizing a joyous engagement

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party of his daughter to boost his reputation by giving ling and tedious speeches. It seems that he cares more about the merging of his company and Gerald’s mother’s company than Gerald and Sheila’s happiness.

        Mr Birling also shows insecurities about his position and how others think of him. For example he tries to impress Gerald by telling him of his possible knighthood, and he hints Gerald to tell that to his mother. This shows Mr Birling’s insecurity about the way that others think of him. He wants to boost his reputation by showing others of his possible accomplishment, which ...

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