An Inspector Calls

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Choose a play which deals with an issue of importance to society today.

State what the issue is and go on to show how, through the plot and characters, the play increased your understanding of the issue.

 

“An Inspector Calls” is a drama written by JB Priestley in 1945 and set in 1912. Priestley’s convincing plot, characters and dialogue bring to light a central theme which is just as important an issue in society today as it was then. Priestley strongly emphasises the difference between upper and lower class and the message he conveys to the reader is that in order for society to function successfully, we must take responsibility for one another.

“An Inspector Calls” is a moralistic play which tells the story of the upper class Birling family who are enjoying a dinner to celebrate the engagement of their daughter Sheila Birling to Gerald Croft. On first impressions the family seem rather pleased with themselves until an Inspector arrives to enquire about the suicide of a young girl named Eva Smith. Tension begins to surface from each family member when, one by one, it is revealed they have been involved with the girl and therefore, played a part in her death.

Arthur Birling, factory owner and head of the household is a character with strong opinions which he takes pleasure in preaching to his family. He is the first to come under Inspector Goole’s questioning when it is uncovered that he sacked Eva Smith from his factory when she requested a moderate pay rise. Birling is of the opinion that you should look after number one.

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“But the way some of these cranks talk and write now, you’d think everybody has to look after everybody else, as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive – community and all that nonsense… a man has to mind his own business and look after himself...”

This quote illustrates Birling’s extremely Capitalist and pretentious viewpoint. The imagery Priestley uses of being “mixed up” in a beehive with lower class people shows his distaste towards lower class people and that he sees himself as separate and superior to them. Birling’s use of he term ...

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