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Themes - An Inspector Calls - Coggle Diagram
Themes - An Inspector Calls
Power
The Birlings possess social power because of their wealth. They take pride in their high social position.
Power is used immorally by each of the Birlings. They use their power for their own self gain rather than to help others.
Priestley implies that where there is power, corruption will follow.
Physical power is also present in the play. Eric exerts physical power over Eva in order to sleep with her.
• Priestley presents a clear link between masculinity and power. Eva is taken advantage of because she is physically and socially weak.
Capitalism
We live in a capitalist society. Priestley does not agree with the principles of capitalism and so uses the character of the Inspector to attack it.
Capitalism is where trade and industry is mostly controlled by private owners.
These individuals or companies keep the profits made by their businesses instead of distributing them evenly between workers.
Mr. Birling is a capitalist. He is ‘Priestley’s puppet’ and is made to look ridiculous by Priestley. By extension, capitalism is made to look ridiculous too.
Priestley has the Inspector destroy Birling and his views easily, showing capitalism is not a strong foundation on which to build society.
Socialism
Put simply, an ideal socialist society is one that is egalitarian. This means everyone has equal rights and the same opportunities.
Resources are shared out fairly and the facilities and resources for producing goods are communally owned.
J.B Priestley was a socialist and uses the character of the Inspector as his ‘mouthpiece.’
The Inspector, the personification of socialism, invades the capitalist space of the Birlings and easily pulls their beliefs apart.
The younger generation in the play begin to appreciate and recognise socialist views. By accepting responsibility and adopting socialist ways of life, Priestley argues there will be hope for the future as they grow up
Dual self
Each of the characters has a dual self, meaning the way they present themselves in public and private is very different.
The Birlings adopt a façade so society thinks they are well meaning and kindly people.
Mr Birling, for example, is due to be presented with a knighthood. Mrs Birling positions herself as a key member of a charity committee.
Behind the scenes, however, they are only concerned with themselves.
Even Eva has a dual self. She literally changes her identity in an attempt to transform who she is and hide her past experiences. Her true feelings are revealed in her diary.
Guilt
The Inspector wants the Birlings to recognise their guilt through the play. Guilt is a deterrent. Our moral purpose makes us feel guilty when we have done something wrong.
If the Birlings feel guilty, it means they will not treat others in the same way they treated Eva as they will be keen to change their behaviour.
However, the older generation do not feel guilty, meaning they do not see their actions as morally wrong. This means that others could suffer because they will not change their ways.
The play chronicles individual guilt at first before transforming into collective guilt by the end.
The younger generation feel guilty meaning they have accepted responsibility.
Morality vs Legality
The play is a ‘morality play’ because all the Birlings and Gerald commit crimes which are similar to the seven deadly sins.
If the Birlings repent, there is a chance they could redeem themselves, but the older generation choose not to.
The Birlings are not punished in a ‘legal’ sense but Priestley makes it clear they will still suffer if they do not accept responsibility.
The lines between morality and legality become blurred as the play moves towards its climax. Characters commit crimes that are either legally wrong or morally wrong or both.
Priestley makes it clear there is no real difference between the two. If we do not have morals, we have nothing.
Social responsibility
Social responsibility is the idea that a society’s poorer members should be helped by those who have more than them.
This is one of the main messages in the play, summed up by the Inspector when he says, ‘We are members of one body.’
Priestley is keen to make his audience recognise that their actions have effects for other people and not just themselves.
Priestley is keen for his audiences to understand that they have a responsibility to look out for others regardless of wealth, status, class or anything else.
The Inspector gives a voice to those who have none because those in privileged positions are ignoring their social responsibility.
Class
The class system, indirectly, plays a role in Eva’s death.
The Supernatural
Older vs Younger generation
Time
Cause and effect