We are all members of one body. We are responsible for each other." Discuss the theme of responsibility in an inspector calls.

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English Coursework                                                                              Kesh Munbauhal

“We are all members of one body. We are responsible for each

   other.” Discuss the theme of responsibility in an inspector calls.

        Every member of our society should be equivalent and adjusted to each other. Other people’s actions, suggestions and reactions make a considerable difference to our lives. This has great significance and concludes that we need to care about each other. The playwright of “An Inspector Calls”, J.B. Priestley, wrote this play for several essential and specific reasons. One of the key ideas was based on the theme of responsibility. In this essay, I have focused on the same ideas. Furthermore, I will carefully analyse and compare two very contrasting character in the play. I have chosen to do my research and comparison on Mrs Birling and Sheila Birling. And to help me analyse them I will use quotes from the play.

        “An Inspector Calls” is a play, which was written by John Boynton Priestley in 1945 (set in 1912), and was staged in the theatre on the 1st of October 1946. Priestley uses the play as an example of what can happen if we ignore the feelings of others. Priestley believed a great deal in socialism and used the play to influence people to be socialists.

        “An Inspector Calls” is a play about a family called the ‘Birlings’. One day, they were celebrating the engagement of their only daughter, Sheila, while they were enjoying themselves; an inspector approaches their house and turns the joyful and thrilling night into misery.

        Every character gives a first impression, and Sheila is one of them. “Sheila is a pretty girl in her twenties, very pleased with life and rather excited.” My fist impressions about Sheila was that she is an immature, naïve girl but as the play advanced I was proved very wrong. The latter parts of this essay will provide evidence so.

        In 1912, Britain was at the height of the Edwardian society, known as the “Golden age”. A quarter of the world belonged to Britain meaning that it was coloured red on the globe of the world. The British Empire was the most vast and powerful since the Romans-“the best nation in the world”. Theatres, musicals, prom concerts and film were making a vital impact as it entertained the Edwardian population. The upper classes (such as the Birlings) led such a lavish life that the Edwardian era is now infamous for.        

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        However, despite the illusions of these secure times, many of the cities were overflowing with prejudice and crooks. There was a huge division between the upper and lower classes. The higher classes barely knew the existence of the underprivileged.

        I personally thought that this play was very effective as J.B. Priestley wrote it at a significant time. In 1947 Britain had just come to end of a devastating world war, where families suffered from immense losses and society was desperate for a fairer, more equal lifestyle. Priestley realised that socialism was becoming increasingly popular and he was ...

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