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AIC Theme Mindmap - Coggle Diagram

- - - - Mr Birling is the archetype of a capitalist businessman. He is avaricious, motivated by money and selfish. He reflects the way that private businesses try to make as much money as possible without any care for the consequences.
        
        He tells his family that they'll be "living in a world that'll have forgotten about all of these capital versus labour agitations"
        
        The use of "agitations" makes the country seem unstable, and shows the implications of capitalism.
        
        He also represents Capitalist greed, and explains to Gerald "your father and I have been friendly rivals in business, [...] and perhaps we may look forward to a time when crofts and Birlings are working together for lower costs and higher prices."
        
        This shows that his life is only seen through the context of business, seeing "rivals" and allies.
        
        The fact that he proposes to "work together" with the Crofts shows that he sees Sheila's marriage as only a business negotation"
        
        "Lower costs and higher prices" shows the ultimate goal for capitalists.
        
        Priestley shows the arrogance and ignorance of the Capitalists through Mr Birling.
        
        He demonstrates his admiration for the Titanic, describing it to be "unsinkable". It is a symbol of sheer size and power. This mimics the Capitalist's desire for domination
        
        Ultimately the titanic was not unsinkable, showing that the capitalist economic system has its flaws.
      - Finally, Priestley represents the competition as a destructive force.
        
        When Mr Birling recalls the worker's strike, he exp[lains that the workers "were averaging about twenty two and six shillings." He describes this to be "neither more nor less than is paid generally in our industry".
        
        This shows that the nature of competition in the business field can be incredibly destructive to the working class.
  - - - When Mr Birling claims the working classes are "asking for the earth", the Inspector responds that it is better to ask for it than to take it.
        
        The inspector implies that the capitalists are responsible for "taking" the earth, and making a mess, showing the extremity of capitalist destruction.
    - - He appears almost prophetic here, showing his omniscience
- - - - This lack of compassion is represented by his harsh language, such as "cranks" and "all that nonsense".
      - The simile used by the Inspector "like bees in a hive" is repeated by Birling, followed by "community and all that nonsense." This shows his disdain for the socialist ideology.
      - His comments on the titanic and the war have already discredited him, as the audience know that his statements on community will be challenged.
      - He says "It's my duty to keep labour costs down" Implying that his business requires him to exploit the workers. This implies that his only responsibility is for his business.
      - Finally, the fact that Mr Birling never refers to Eva Smith by her real name shows his lack of compassion, instead referring to her as "Wretched Girl"
    - - Mrs Birling shows the upper classes' contempt for the poor and how they neglect those in need.
        
        Like Mr Birling, she is committed to the idea of her own innocence. She is used by Priestley to show the hatred that comes from the Upper Class.
        
        She is responsible for the Women's Charity, but refuses Eva Smith hospitality, for using her name.
        
        Her hypocrisy is represented by the fact that she believes that the father of Eva Smith's Child "should be made an example of [...] Make sure he's compelled to confess in public to his responsibility". This happens until she finds out it is her son, where she sacrifices her beliefs to protect him.
    - - Sheila
        
        Sheila is a direct contrast to her mother, who's uncaring nature contrasts the empathy of her daughter.
        
        She is the first member of the family to repent, and continue the Inspector's message/
        
        She describes herself to be "miserable" because she is "really responsible" for eva's death. She owns up to her responsibility, saying that she'll "never, never do it again to anybody"