In relation to Capitalism; Socialism is the complete opposite. Socialism was an emerging idea in the early 20th century. It was focused around increased social reform in order to promote equality in Britain. This would mean that there would be less rich, upper class businessmen like Birling in England and people like Eva Smith would find life a lot easier. Eric and Sheila’s Socialist views become noticeable early in the inspectors interview of Birling. They are a lot more concerned about the death and feel guilt about their roles leading to her death. Eva Smith’s death also links in with socialist ideals because of inadequate treatment at the infirmary; her death may have been prevented had she been on the emerging NHS.
The social historical context of the time is evident throughout the play and is used to great affect by Priestley to enhance Birling’s image of an arrogant businessman. Birling has strong views about the historical events of his time period. Birling states that, ‘the world is developing so fast that war is impossible’, this makes Birling look like a bit of an idiot to the audience as the play is performed in 1946, after the two World Wars. Another statement of Birling’s that is proved incorrect by time is that of the titanic being ‘unsinkable’. This reinforces the audience’s views of Birling being an arrogant, big-headed businessman who is often wrong. The inspector arrives at a crucial time in the play; Birling is already being disliked by the audience because of his nature, views and personality. When the ‘sharp ring of the doorbell’ sounds in the drawing room the Inspector has inadvertently put a stop to Birling’s gospel according to Capitalism. Priestley does this to show that there is a way out of Capitalism, away from the dated views and into the exciting ideals of Socialism.
Before the Inspector enters the play Priestley has started to establish Birling as an arrogant businessman with strong values and beliefs. By using the social historical context of the time, Priestley has enabled himself to use stereotypical Edwardian Capitalist views against Birling to make him unpopular with the audience. Birling states that ‘the Germans don’t want war, no one wants war’, and that ‘in twenty or thirty years you may be celebrating your daughter’s engagement’- and there will be no more labour cranks around, and both predictions prove incorrect with time. Birling’s view on the sensitive event of war makes him appear insensitive and naïve to many of the audience who may have lost loved ones or close friends in these tragic events. Birling suggesting that the labour ‘cranks’ will disappear enhances his poor credibility. This period in the play displays great dramatic irony used to good affect by Priestley. Priestley uses it to set in stone the audience’s opinion that Birling is an insensitive, arrogant, Edwardian businessman who always assumes he’s right. Priestley does this to prove to the audience that Socialism is greater than Capitalism and is the way forward for society.
During the Inspectors interrogation of Birling it becomes apparent of their differing views on some key issues of the questioning. Birling is clearly an avid Capitalist and believes strongly in his views about politics and business, whereas the Inspector is clearly a bit more modern-minded and a strong Socialist. These differing opinions collide when the inspector asks Birling as to why he fired Eva Smith. Birling gives a simple answer describing how Eva caused nothing but trouble persuading other girls to strike and she had to be sacked. Birling is then disgusted when the Inspector enquires as to ‘why?’ Eva had to be fired. This is a prime example of Edwardian Capitalist values clashing with the more modern Socialist ideals. Birling’s view of the situation is only made worse when his children agree with the Inspector and Eric states that Birling ‘should have kept her on instead of throwing her out’ because he sympathises with Eva Smith.
During the final moments of the Inspector’s time in the house Birling seems to have changed his ways and become remorseful about his actions. Birling operates more and answers the Inspector’s questions more fully. He also seems to show regret about events concerning Eva Smith, however this could be just because he’s concerned about the consequences and fears for his knighthood. This is shown when Birling offers the Inspector ‘all the money he has’ to try and make amends for his actions. However, once the Inspector leaves and everyone realises he’s not real Birling returns to his old ways; suspending him in a spiral of events repeating until he makes a moral decision to change his ways. Birling will continue repeating the current spiral of time that the events occurred on because he did not amend his ways after the warning, and laughs it off, calling the Inspector a ‘joke’.
Ouspensky’s theory of time is a theory that attempts to explain how people’s lives are played out in eternal return. People keep living the same lives over and over again until they elevate themselves by making a moral ‘leap’ to change their ‘loop’. Events occur according to what’s happening around you. This relates to An Inspector Calls because the Inspector is a dramatic model used to try and ‘save’ the Birling’s from their current downward spirals. Without the Inspector warning them everyone in the family would continue to act in the same way until they made a moral decision to change their ways. The younger generation Sheila and Eric change their ways and feel remorse about what has happened because of their modern, Socialist ideals, whereas Mr and Mrs Birling don’t change and continue believing that they acted appropriately, suggesting that they will continue to relive the events that took place.
Priestley’s strong socialist ideals emerge drastically during his play An Inspector Calls. By using Birling as a microcosm of the upper class, Edwardian gentlemen of Britain, Priestley downplays dated, Edwardian Capitalist views and warns the audience about the consequences of continuing on their current Ouspensky spiral. By using the Inspector as a dramatic model, Priestley is enabled to ‘advertise’ the pros of Socialism and the cons of Capitalism. When the Inspector warns the says; ‘if men will not learn their lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish, he is not only warning the Birling’s but also the audience about the consequences of Capitalism.
