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-Fio

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An Inspector Calls Themes: Age Quotes - Beyond

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Ana

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-Fio

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Mili

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How are the younger Birling's, Sheila and Eric, different to their parents in An Inspector Calls ?

Mr and Mrs Birling are both about their involvement in Eva's death.

Sheila and Eric develop a sense of social responsibility during the course of the play.

Sheila and Eric are ashamed about their involvement in the death and are desperate to make amends.

When Gerald suggests that the Inspector was not real, Mr and Mrs Birling are over the moon that they could be 'off the hook'. However, Sheila and Eric are convinced that even if the Inspector was not real and a girl didn't die, they still behaved badly and should change their ways.

The older characters are painted in a more negative light and they don't learn from their mistakes. The younger characters admit they were wrong and try to make things better.

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Age in An Inspector Calls - Themes - AQA - GCSE English Literature Revision - AQA - BBC Bitesize

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How are the younger Birling's, Sheila and Eric, different to their parents in An Inspector Calls ? Mr and Mrs Birling are both about their involvement in Eva's death. Sheila and Eric develop a sense of social responsibility during the course of the play.

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The author of the play, Priestley was a strong socialist and opposed Capitalism, which influenced the play. The older generation was negatively painted supporting capitalism and the younger generation being positively shown representing socialism

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The novel of "An inspector Calls" written by the J.B. Priestley was first performed in 1945 but is set in 1912, just before the outbreak of World War I. The play is known for its exploration of social responsibility both age and class, morality, and the consequences of individual actions.

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An Inspector Calls: Context And Background

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play suggests that maintaining traditional gender norms can lead to moral blindness (seen with Mr Birling)

being set in 1912, there were traditional gender roles strictly set for example; Women were expected to be submissive + focused on domestic activities (seen with Mrs Birling). whereas men, were expected to be, dominant + authoritative + primary source of income (seen with Mr Birling).

Examples of characters + quotes:

Eva Smith= working-class, embodies the STRUGGLES and vulnerability of a working-class woman, her diary represents the silent struggles women face in society

Mrs Birling= Upper-class, Embodies traditional gender roles + societal expectations.

Mr Birling= Upper-class, has patronising views towards women (sees them as inferior, dependent on men), dismisses sheila and women generally.

quotes:

"When you're married you'll realise that men with important work to do sometimes have to spend nearly all their time and energy on their business. you'll have to get used to that, just as I had" (shows Mr Birling's views to traditional gender roles and that women have to accept or "get used" to their husbands priorities)

(about eva) "A girl of that sort would ever refuse money" (because shes a woman specifically of lower class means she was in worse position than a low class male)

Sheila= Upper-class, she rejects traditional gender roles(seen when she challenges her father)

quotes:

"but these girls aren't cheap labour-they're people."(challenging gender roles)

"is this the one you wanted me to have?"( stereotypical women behaviour at the beginning of the play - eager to please her husband, making gerald the leader and decision maker of the relationship meanwhile shes submissive.)

Gerald=

quotes:

(about daisy renton aka eva) "young, fresh and charming" (the word fresh is dehumanising as it makes her seem as if shes a fruit that can be thrown away once he was done with her)

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-Fio

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How are the younger Birling's, Sheila and Eric, different to their parents in An Inspector Calls ?

Mr and Mrs Birling are both about their involvement in Eva's death.

Sheila and Eric develop a sense of social responsibility during the course of the play.

Sheila and Eric are ashamed about their involvement in the death and are desperate to make amends.

When Gerald suggests that the Inspector was not real, Mr and Mrs Birling are over the moon that they could be 'off the hook'. However, Sheila and Eric are convinced that even if the Inspector was not real and a girl didn't die, they still behaved badly and should change their ways.

The older characters are painted in a more negative light and they don't learn from their mistakes. The younger characters admit they were wrong and try to make things better.

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Age in An Inspector Calls - Themes - AQA - GCSE English Literature Revision - AQA - BBC Bitesize

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How are the younger Birling's, Sheila and Eric, different to their parents in An Inspector Calls ? Mr and Mrs Birling are both about their involvement in Eva's death. Sheila and Eric develop a sense of social responsibility during the course of the play.

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Priestley deliberately set this play to accentuate the Edwardian era, corresponding to the ruling of king Edward VII during the period of 1901 to 1910. During this time, the social values were the idea of a self made man , self reliance and an entrepreneurial spirit. The Edwardian era consisted of different class systems (lower class, middle class and higher class) The rich lived a luxury life mixing with a high society and and exclusive events, while the poor lived lives of hard work and servitude.

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example essay

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'An Inspector Calls' is about responsibility. Priestley purposely contrasts the responsibility of the younger generation and the irresponsibility of the older generation to suggest the younger generation are the hope for the future.

How does Priestley explore the difference in attitudes between older and younger generations in An Inspector Calls?

In 'An Inspector Calls', Priestley exposes the lack of responsibility among the middle and upper classes and offers a cry for change, commanding his 1945 audience to show greater compassion for the working classes and promote greater social responsibility in British society. Priestley uses the contrast between older and younger characters in the play to reveal the chasm between traditional classist attitudes and more progressive socialist ideals, hoping that the transformation of his younger characters will propel his audience on the same trajectory and build a fairer, more equal society for all.

Priestley challenges traditional age roles in the play. In 1912, it would have been expected that young people respected and obeyed their elders. By the end of the play, however, Sheila and Eric begin to challenge their parents' values, giving hope that society can change for the better. The Inspector has activated their conscience and, through displaying this, Priestley hopes to activate his audience's conscience too. Perhaps he hoped the audience would leave feeling proud that a new socialist Labour party had been voted in earlier that year, and were set to make changes that would create greater equality for all.

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JAC English Revision - Example Essay: Age

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How does Priestley explore the difference in attitudes between older and younger generations in An Inspector Calls? Grade 5+: 'An Inspector Calls' is about responsibility. Priestley purposely contrasts the responsibility of the younger generation and the irresponsibility of the older generation

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'An Inspector Calls' is about responsibility. Priestley purposely contrasts the responsibility of the younger generation and the irresponsibility of the older generation to suggest the younger generation are the hope for the future.

How does Priestley explore the difference in attitudes between older and younger generations in An Inspector Calls?

In 'An Inspector Calls', Priestley exposes the lack of responsibility among the middle and upper classes and offers a cry for change, commanding his 1945 audience to show greater compassion for the working classes and promote greater social responsibility in British society. Priestley uses the contrast between older and younger characters in the play to reveal the chasm between traditional classist attitudes and more progressive socialist ideals, hoping that the transformation of his younger characters will propel his audience on the same trajectory and build a fairer, more equal society for all.

Priestley challenges traditional age roles in the play. In 1912, it would have been expected that young people respected and obeyed their elders. By the end of the play, however, Sheila and Eric begin to challenge their parents' values, giving hope that society can change for the better. The Inspector has activated their conscience and, through displaying this, Priestley hopes to activate his audience's conscience too. Perhaps he hoped the audience would leave feeling proud that a new socialist Labour party had been voted in earlier that year, and were set to make changes that would create greater equality for all.

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JAC English Revision - Example Essay: Age

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How does Priestley explore the difference in attitudes between older and younger generations in An Inspector Calls? Grade 5+: 'An Inspector Calls' is about responsibility. Priestley purposely contrasts the responsibility of the younger generation and the irresponsibility of the older generation

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The Bourgeoisie, or New Money is a class which gained its wealth through factories. The Birling family is that class and is desperately looking to become the Monarchy, Old Money, through materialistic objects, however they never became the Old Money because of their mannerism and personality lacking valid qualitites

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the play is set in 1912, which represents the rigid social structure prevalent during that period.

-the birling family who are upper-middle-class industrialists, represents the elite social class. arthur birling, the father and a rich factory owner is worried with maintaining his social status and is uninterested and apathy towards those in the lower classes. he believes in individualism and self-interest and believes that social class defines a person's worth.

-mrs. Birling, Arthur's wife, also comes from an upper-middle-class background, (her family being richer than Mr. Birling's showing his greed for money) and maintains a snobbish attitude towards those deemed beneath her. she is the chairman of the of a Women's Charity Organization and uses her position to assert authority and control over the lower classes, showing little empathy or understanding.

-Their daughter, Sheila Birling, initially appears to share her parents' views even firing Eva Smith for a misunderstanding. However, as the play progresses, she begins to question her beliefs and the morality of the upper class. She demonstrates a willingness to challenge the status quo and shows remorse for her actions unlike her father.

-Eric Birling, the brother of Sheila and the son of Mr and Mrs Birling, does not try to deflect blame or deny responsibility. he acknowledges his mistakes and shows genuine remorse for the harm he caused. this is shown in his conversation with Sheila, where he admits his wrongdoing and acknowledges that he must learn from his actions. eric's role in the play is crucial as he highlights the hypocrisy and immorality of the upper class. while his parents and Gerald Croft are unwilling to face their responsibility and change their ways, eric, a long with Sheila, represents a younger generation that questions the established social norms and seeks to bring about change. by the end of the play, Eric is portrayed as a character who has learned from his mistakes and is willing to take responsibility for his actions. He is seen as capable of growth and is encouraged by the Inspector's final speech, ("We don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other. And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.") which emphasizes the importance of collective responsibility and social change.

-Gerald Croft, Sheila's fiancé, represents the upper-class aristocracy. although he is engaged to Sheila he is having a secret affair over the summer with the working class girl, Eva Smith. Gerald's social class allows him to exert power and influence over others, like he did with Eva Smith, but at the end he fails to take responsibility for his actions.

-Inspector Goole serves as the catalyst for change in the play. he arrives unexpectedly at the Birling residence to investigate the suicide of Eva Smith. The inspector is portrayed as a mysterious figure with an uncanny ability to expose the hypocrisy and disregard for the lower class displayed by the upper class.

Priestley uses the characters (especially inspector Goole, Sheila and Mr birling) and their interactions to critique the hierarchical structure of society and advocate for greater empathy and understanding between different social classes.

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Mr. Birling and social responsibility (mila)

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Mr. Birling and social responsibility (mila)

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Mr Birling is the embodiment of not having social resposibility, he is what Priestly warns against. Mr Birling is presented as having no sympathy for others, always putting himself and his interests first. This is shown by how he reacts to the fact that he was complicit in the suicide of Eva Smith.

Mr Birling never accepts responsibility for his actions. He reflects how the capitalist system will not work because of the lack of compassion it breeds.

Through this microcosm of capitalism Priestly shows how the system only protects the interests of the rich instead of the workers.

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Andres

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Themes in 'An Inspector Calls': Age - GCSE English Literature Revision

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Andres

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website for social class (Camila, immy, amanda)

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website for social class (Camila, immy, amanda)

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Class in An Inspector Calls - Themes - AQA - GCSE English Literature Revision - AQA - BBC Bitesize

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Revise and learn about the themes of J B Priestley's An Inspector Calls with BBC Bitesize GCSE English Literature (AQA).

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When priestly wrote this play, it was already around the 1940s, a time where women had already gained many rights and there was a common understanding that women were infact more capable than what they were painted as. Therefore,as this play was set in the 1912s the perspective of women had already evolved into a more understanding and less migonyistic view.

Where can this be represented?

Mrs Birling:

Mrs Birling is the symbolic representation of the traditional 1912s women, where in the presence of a man she acts as their subordinate and encourages their views and opinions. Along with her husband she's often misogynistic to women in the lower classes and those who are 'less' than her.Additionally, her judgmental characteristics and her stubbornness on remaining the same and not changing is a reflection on conservative women in the 1940s who wish they would return to the old days.

-comparison-

Eva smith

Eva smith is the direct juxtaposition of Mrs Birling, she does not act as a subordinate to men, she voices her opinions and what she believes it right, and priestly portrays her as resilient, brave, outgoing and strong not like Mrs Birling. Eva Smith is the representation of the working class and represents a different way women were opressed. Eva is often seen defying social norms and so for example having a pregnancy without being bounded to a marriage, beining dependant on herself instead of a man and so on.

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Priestly's uses the inspector to show the values of socialism, can be applied outside of economic theory. He proposes that people should aim to fulfill these values in all their actions, ensuring they are looking out for their community.

Inspector Goole embodies the theme of social responsibility, acting as a catalyst for moral introspection among the characters. The Inspector arrives unannounced at the Birling household, initiating an investigation into the suicide of Eva Smith. However, his role extends beyond a mere criminal inquiry; he serves as a symbolic figure representing the conscience of society. Through relentless questioning, the Inspector compels the Birlings and Gerald to confront their individual and collective responsibilities toward the less fortunate. He exposes the moral flaws in their actions, highlighting how the upper class's disregard for the working class contributes to a cycle of exploitation and misery. Inspector Goole becomes an agent of change, urging the characters to recognize their role in the larger social context. His departure, revealed to be shrouded in mystery, underscores the notion that he is not merely a flesh-and-blood detective but a force of moral reckoning.

-Emma

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Mrs Birling personifies the upper classes contempt towards the poor and neglect of those in need

Priestley uses her to suggest the hatred of social responsibility comes from classism and prejudice, as the upper classes didn’t want to associate themselves with the lower classes

Priestley shows how the conventional ideas of duty and responsibility in the upper classes are corrupt. Mrs Birling is willing to condemn the anonymous father of Eva’s unborn child saying, “He should be made an example of […] Make sure he’s compelled to confess in public to his responsibility”. She claims to have a firm moral code, valuing responsibility and just consequences for wrongdoings.

However, she regrets this instantly when she finds out Eric is responsible, retracting her previous demands: “But if I didn’t know it was you - I never dreamt” Because she readily sacrifices her beliefs about duty to protect her son, it seems she never truly meant them. Priestly suggests the upper classes’ idea of duty is superficial and hypicritical

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further information with quotes for gender - alexa

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further information with quotes for gender - alexa

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https://pmt.physicsandmathstutor.com/download/English-Literature/GCSE/Notes/Edexcel/An-Inspector-Calls/Themes/Gender.pdf

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The play took place in 1912, Mr. Birling mentions how the Titanic is unsinkable and demonstrates the pinnacle of capitalist technology, the irony of the Titanic sinking shows how Priestley is against capitalism by showing its disadvantages

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Through the influence of the inspector, Sheila, who was childish and irresponsible at the beginning of the play, starts to display compassion and sympathy. Her regret and guilt clearly shows how she takes responsibility.

It not only shows her ability to take responsibility, but also her ability to grow and change as a person. Sheila is the representation of socialism in the play. She understands and sympathises others in a way that people rarely do in a capitalist society.

She also urges her family, who do not seem to have any regret for what they have done, to take responsibility for their own actions. For example, in this quote, "But these girls aren't cheap labour- they're people.” She pushes her father to understand how the consequences of his own actions led to Eva Smiths death.

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-Emma

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social class and priestly critiques (Camila, Amanda, immy) 

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social class and priestly critiques (Camila, Amanda, immy) 

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j.b priestly was challenging and criticizing the capitalist goverment of England with his play, a capitalist goverment is a government which upholds the private property rights necessary for capitalism and the legal framework for functioning markets and he was trying to make people understand that a social government would be better because a social government is a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.

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The contexts of An Inspector Calls - The world of the play - GCSE Drama Revision - WJEC - BBC Bitesize

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Learn about reinterpreting Shakespeare, setting and context of plays, and performing true to context when discussing the world of the play for GCSE Drama.

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quotes social class - amanda, immy, camila 

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quotes social class - amanda, immy, camila 

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essay ideas/ examples for social class - amanda, immy, camila

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essay ideas/ examples for social class - amanda, immy, camila

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(its not the wrong link it just has a weird cover)

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Poetry Essay - Essay Writing Help - GCSE and A Level Resources

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Priestley presents the importance of social class through the naivety of the upper class, by exploring the authority and rights one's social class bestows. This is conducted through the Inspector, who is a proxy for Priestley's social and political views.

Initially, Priestley depicts the "comfortable" life of the upper class Birling family. In the play's opening stage directions, Sheila is described as being "very pleased with life", which acts as a stark contrast to the "fire and blood and anguish" which the Inspector suggests society will become if people do not change their ways and take some "responsibility". The adjective "very" emphasises Sheila's contentedness and implies a satisfied, safe and secure way of life. Symbolically, however, it depicts a metaphorical bubble in which the upper classes live, unaware of the "anguish" just outside their door, completely alienating the lower classes and creating a callous, frugal and emotionally detached society.

Furthermore, the "fire and blood and anguish" that the Inspector mentions before he departs, could be indicative of the effort and pain that non-influential (poorer) families have to endure to exist. On the other hand, the lexical choice suggests images of hell: implying that capitalism is home to sinners and villains - perhaps referring to the fraud and exploitation which the upper classes get away with, much like the Birlings. Priestley is clearly appealing to an audience in 1945 who could bring about change. Secondly, this could also be reference to the two World Wars experienced by the audience, acting in parallel to the two deaths of Eva Smith, where society hasn't learned from its previous mistakes.

Another reference to the importance of social class, during the Edwardian era, is the hypocrisy and double standards of the leading powers, highlighted by the moral subconscious: the Inspector. Sheila proclaims to her father that "it is better to ask for the earth that to take it", following the revelation that he dismissed ("fired") Eva Smith from his "works", because she asked for "higher wages" to avoid poverty. Here the imbalance between the upper and lower classes becomes evident; perhaps a conscious effort by Priestley to get rid of social segregation and instead embrace socialism - evidenced as his proxy proclaims that he "wouldn't know where to draw the line" between the two social classes. Furthermore, there is the villainising of Mr Birling, by his daughter, and the symbolic implication that capitalism is "taking" the beauty away from Britain and everyone in it. In addition, despite Eva Smith being, as stated by Mr Birling, a "good worker", his social class allowed him to fire her without repercussions, because he was threatened, highlighting the vulnerability and inferiority of people from lower social classes.

Moreover, Priestley highlights a deep-rooted corruption in society in the way he exposes influential characters. Mr Birling habitually relies on his social class in order to get through life, which other social classes simply cannot do. Early on in the play, Mr Birling emphasises the importance of social class and status to him, by stating he "was an alderman for years - and Lord Mayor two years ago"; he has an impending "knighthood"; and that he "play[s] golf" with "Chief Constable, Colonel Roberts". Each of these comments hints that there is some sort of immunity and entitlement that comes with being upper class, and that you do not need to operate within the constraints of the law. This is further emphasised by Gerald's remark that they are all "respectable citizens" and also Mr Birling's exploitation of his employees. This can be interpreted as Priestley's effort to expose the sinful acts of the upper classes and regain justice for the poor. This exposure is also evidenced in the stage directions, such as when the Inspector enters the lights become "brighter and harder", metaphorically dispelling the shadows of the wealthy and revealing their failings.

In conclusion, Priestley presents the importance of social class by comparing the two contrasting worlds that the rich and poor exist in, encouraging an audience to embrace his socialist ideals, granting a voice to those who have been marginalised.

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An Inspector Calls Essay - How does Priestley explore the importance of social class

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A model essay on An Inspector Calls. This GCSE standard essay (AQA exam board) on An Inspector Calls almost attained full marks. The An Inspector Calls essay was written by a student in exam conditions, taking approximately 40-45 minutes to complete.

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When the family find out that Eva Smith may not have died, Mr and Mrs Birling feel relieved, and the guilt they were secretly holding onto went away. This shows how, although they still both did those horrible things to her, it didn't matter unless she died. This displays the carelessness of capitalism, and how someones life doesn't matter in a system where they are so easily replaceable.

Sheila and Eric's reactions are much different. They still feel guilty because they still did the things they did to her, they don't care if it ended in tragedy or not, they still accept responsibility. "Everything we said had happened had happened. If it didn't end tragically, then that's lucky for us. But it might have done"

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'Social Class' in An Inspector Calls: Key Quotes & Analysis video - amanda , immy, camila

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'Social Class' in An Inspector Calls: Key Quotes & Analysis video - amanda , immy, camila

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'Social Class' in An Inspector Calls: Key Quotes & Analysis

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quotes for social class (Camila, Imogen, Amanda)

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quotes for social class (Camila, Imogen, Amanda)

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1. "Perhaps I ought to warn you that he’s an old friend of mine"

When Mr Birling first meets Inspector Goole he attempts to intimidate him. He tries to assert himself as Goole’s social superior. In this quote, Mr Birling tells the Inspector that he is good friends with the Inspector’s Chief Constable. Mr Birling also refers to being an “alderman for years” and “Lord Mayor two years ago”. He constantly tries to enforce the idea that the Inspector ranks below him in society.

2. "Girls of that class"

This is spoken by Mrs Birling when she is attempting to justify why she failed to offer Eva/ Daisy the aid she needed. She simply writes Eva/Daisy off as of a lower, less deserving class, incapable of true feelings and honesty.

3. “If you don’t come down hard on these people they’ll be asking for the world"

This quote is from Birling, explaining why he fired Daisy (as she was called then). Birling says that he fired her simply because she asked for a pay rise. Both the Inspector and Birling’s daughter Sheila have to remind him that the workers in his factory are not simply “cheap labour”. Here we can also see elements of J.B. Priestly’s socialist political views in his writing.

4. “We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.”

Here the Inspector is clear that we have a duty to each other in society and cannot act alone and selfishly.

He references the idea of social responsibility, which is closely connected to class.

5. “I became the most important person in her life"

This is quote is spoken by Gerald. Here is he explaining how Daisy (she’s changed her name by this point) reacted to him taking her in as his mistress. When Gerald does this he sets her up in a friend’s empty house. Daisy is desperate and he takes advantage of her because he is a man with money and she is not.

6. "These girls aren't cheap labour they're people."

Sheila says this in response to Mr. Birling calling the girls cheap labour. this shows Sheila is starting to display more socialist views and contradicting her parents views, therefore, standing up to her father. the word, "people" shows the changing socialist views in society how we are all supposed to be together then individual people. Priestley's intentions are to show socialist views are better than capitalist because they treat everyone equally. This would help the audience to understand better how capitalist views only cause pain to the lower class and why socialism is better not just for the lower class but for everyone.