Explore the ways Priestley presents the relationship between Mr Birling and the Inspector using dramatic techniques and events in “An Inspector Calls” Priestley uses dramatic techniques and events in the play to present the relationship between Mr Birling and the Inspector. They are complete opposites, and have very different views on how other people should be treated and how they should be treated. For example Mr Birling thinks he should be treated with great respect, higher than some others, however the Inspector thinks we should all be treated the same and should not be treated differently because of our class. The Inspector and Mr Birling’s view on society are very different, and how other people should be treated. Right before the Inspector turns up, Mr Birling is telling Gerald and Eric that “…a man has to make his own way…” However later on in the play, the Inspector says that “We are members of one body.” Right after saying this, the Inspector gets up and leaves.
The character of the inspector is written by Priestley as a representation of morality in the play. The manner of The inspector is one the Birling's find rather disconcerting. This question of his character grows throughout the play, mirroring Sheila's and the audience's growing suspicion of him.” we didn't tell him anything he didn't already know" This all knowing quality of the character of the inspector gives a sense of being super natural, a quality confirmed by Priestley during the Inspector's outburst at the end in which he foretells the prophecy of 'fire, blood and anguish' giving the audience an underlying sense of unease at the reference to war. Therefore showing them the consequences of a lack of responsibility. This ironic hindsight into the war also gives the audience a sense of the inspector's wisdom.
In the play, Birling likes to inform others of his wealth and of the important people he knows. This suggests that he is trying to show off to Gerald Croft, as it gives the impression that he is flaunting his wealth. This shows that Birling is taking an individualist, capitalist point of view, which makes the other characters, especially the Inspector, show dislike for him because of his contrasting views.
He frames this separation of the classes as a struggle and a constantly losing battle for one group or the other (mostly for the poor). He explicitly states, “society as a whole is more and more splitting in to two great hostile camps, [….] Bourgeoisie and Proletariat” (Marx 338). Right away, Marx hopes to use this to build an argument that the current relations between the two classes is an illusion and that the proletariat are playing the zero-sum game, with the Bourgeoisie, that is capitalism. In direct contrasts to this, Carnegie believes that, in the capitalist system, the relations between the two classes is more symbiotic in nature.
Mr Birlings views also contrast with that of the Inspector – who Priestly, most probably, gave his own views, as Priestly's own views definitely leaned more towards that of a socialist, which is shown in the fact that he makes Mr Birling (a Capitalist) selfish and arrogant, whereas he makes Sheila and Eric seem regretful and more likeable than Mr Birling. We can definitely concur that Mr Birling is a capitalist by the evidence that in act one he lectures Eric and Gerald on how to be successful in business, and Capitalism means to look after oneself and one's way of life – which being successful involves. His Capitalism is reinforced by the fact that he calls himself a “Hard-headed business man” and repetitively stated that Capitalism would overcome Socialism. Priestly also makes many contrasts about the differences in the Class of the Birling's and that of Eva. The Birlings believe that because they are a higher class than Eva, that they are entitled to
Compare and contrast the attitudes of Birling and the Inspector? Plan Intro-, p1- birling is a capitalist comparing to inspector who is a socialist, p2- birling gets his way around problems using his money and status, inspector treats everyone the same- status is not cared about from him character, P3- rejection, P4- Inspector , ‘not be a big man’, ‘an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness –contrast in appearance and personality, shows that the appearance of the power you could get by being a capitalist can be put down by being a member of the socialists society. J.B Priestly uses the character of Inspector Goole as a mouthpiece to represents his message. To reinforce the importance of his character, Mr Birling’s role is used as a contrast to the theme of socialism trying to be expressed. Through the contrast of the two characters, it can be emphasised and made clear which of the two figures’ attitude is to be followed by the audience.
Very often the rich push the poor by removing workers rights, by limiting corporate liability, by instigating war. I could go on, but you get the point. Society is essentially a contract. The poor work in order to make the rich wealthier. That's how it works.
“Low-class workers are all lazy and are late to work,” he would say. Therefore, thanks to these stereotypes he will hire someone who is middle or higher class, because he thinks that they will work had. However this is not the case, most low class workers are hardworking, for they must provide their family with the diminutive salary they are paid; this drives them to work hard and excel in order to please their boss and get a promotion which will mean more money for their family. If the high-class man gets the job this will mean that the low class man will have to go back to the street and try to make a living on what he has. Another thing I noticed while I took pictures was how big the gap is between the high and low classes of the Dominican Republic.
Competition also creates companies to drive down wages, as they will wish to make their products at the lowest cost they can, this alienating the working class and causing them to become impoverished. Marx is often criticised as his two-class system is often seen as too simplistic. Weber divides the proletariat into skilled and unskilled class, and includes white-collar proletariat and small bourgeoisies. Marx believes that capitalism sows
In addition to the theme of Appearance vs. Reality, the relationship of Pip and Estella also points to a salient theme in the works of Dickens: Class Stratification. The theme of social class is central to Great Expectations as it acts as extends into the other themes such as the Appearance theme. Pip's angst over being "common," as Estella has labeled him, is his driving force to become a gentleman and entertain the "great expectations" of having bettered himself sufficiently so that he will become worthy of Estella. But, of course the class structure is a