How does Priestley convey two of the social issues that he is concerned with in the play? Substantiate your answer with close reference to the text.
How does Priestley convey two of the social issues that he is concerned with in the play? Substantiate your answer with close reference to the text.
The play An Inspector Calls was set in the year 1912, but written and first performed in 1945. In this play, J.B. Priestley uses the differences in behaviour and attitudes between the wealthy Birling family and factory worker Eva Smith, to show the differences between the social classes as well as the industrial setting of that time (during World War I).
The Birling family is "prosperous" and "comfortable", and Mr. Birling's ostentatious posturing emphasizes their good fortune. In the opening lines of the play, he is found discussing port with Gerald, immediately giving the audience a sense of the family's financial security. When Mr. Birling tells Gerald and Eric that a man should "look after his own", and not listen to the "cranks" who talk about "community and all that nonsense", it becomes obvious that he has no interest in the welfare of people like Eva Smith. By making Mr. Birling so arrogant and pompous, JB Priestley not only renders this character deeply unattractive, but also brings to the reader's attention the existence of social classes in 1912, where there were the rich like Mr Birling, and the poor like Eva Smith.
The entry of the Inspector causes a dramatic shift in the play's atmosphere, drawing attention to his shocking news. He almost immediately announces that Eva Smith has "died in the infirmary" after swallowing "strong disinfectant" that "burnt her inside out". This language provides a striking contrast to the family's previous conversation, where things were implied, but never directly stated. The Inspector does not use euphemisms to shield the family from the unpleasant images, but says that Eva died in "great agony". Especially in juxtaposition with the comfortable atmosphere and obvious wealth displayed earlier in the play, the Inspector's ...
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The entry of the Inspector causes a dramatic shift in the play's atmosphere, drawing attention to his shocking news. He almost immediately announces that Eva Smith has "died in the infirmary" after swallowing "strong disinfectant" that "burnt her inside out". This language provides a striking contrast to the family's previous conversation, where things were implied, but never directly stated. The Inspector does not use euphemisms to shield the family from the unpleasant images, but says that Eva died in "great agony". Especially in juxtaposition with the comfortable atmosphere and obvious wealth displayed earlier in the play, the Inspector's vivid description of Eva Smith's suffering evokes feelings of pity in the reader and shows the accepted practices and mannerisms of the upper-class society and the social convention practiced.
Another way that Priestley reveals the difference in social classes is by contrasting Eva Smith's short, miserable life with the happy, protected existence of Sheila Birling, who is about the same age as Eva. Sheila is shallow, childish, and naive. She calls her dad "mean" for sacking Eva Smith, and exclaims that girls like Eva are "people", as if she has never really thought about such things before Eva's death. These characteristics are intended to show what a sheltered life Sheila, like many other rich young girls belonging to upper-class families, has led. While Sheila is poised to marry a rich and respected young "man about town" and will never be expected to work a day in her life, at the time of her death Eva had already been sacked from two jobs, and had fended for herself for several years. At several points throughout the play, Sheila's parents try to send her away so that she will not be shocked by the details of the investigation. This only clarifies the double standard present in this situation: the Birlings expect working-class girls to experience things that they do not want their daughter to even hear about.
Priestley set the play in the fictional industrial city of Brumley. Brumley would have been typical of many towns where the factory owners, who provided much needed employment, were able to run their businesses exactly as they wanted to.
The story of Eva Smith's death unfolds throughout Act One. Eighteen months before her suicide, Mr. Birling dismissed her from her job because she'd had "far too much" to say on the subject of her unfair wages. Later, it emerges that Sheila had her sacked from Milwards, mainly because she was in a "furious temper" and "jealous" of Eva. Eva is described as "a lively good-looking girl, country bred", and "a good worker", and by Sheila as someone who looked like she could "take care of herself". These personal details show the audience that Eva's death was a tragic waste, and it was only due to those with power over the factory, power over her job and power over her welfare that she died.
Mr. Birling's initial response to Eva's death is an impatient "yes, yes. Horrid business", and even that is said more out of social convention than any real dismay. He sees the Inspector's questioning as a rude intrusion on his personal time, and is convinced that there is nothing "scandalous about this business", as far as he "is concerned". He seems to think that he is above the law, telling the Inspector that he "doesn't like" his "tone". He also repeatedly tells the Inspector that he doesn't think these events are "any concern" of his. Mr. Birling tries to intimidate the Inspector by telling him about the "close" friendship he shares with the chief constable, and then to "settle it sensibly" - in other words, to try to solve the problem with money. Mrs. Birling also tries to intimidate the Inspector, albeit in a more subtle manner than her husband. Mrs. Birling calls his investigation "absurd", and says that he is "conducting it in a rather peculiar and offensive manner". She reminds him of her husband's powerful position in society, as if this absolves the family from any need to cooperate with the Inspector. Mr and Mrs. Birling's attitude towards the investigation shows their refusal to accept responsibility for Eva's death, and gives the reader a glimpse of the abuse that Eva suffered at the hands of those in positions of power. Also, Mr Birling's wish to solve the problem with money and the use of his 'close friendship' with the Chief Constable reflects the presence of corruption in the society then, and how wealth and riches could significantly increase one's influence and power.
