Inspector Calls Ideas

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How does Priestly present ideas about how we should treat other people in “An Inspector Calls”? “An Inspector Calls” was written at the end of the Second World War although it was set in the Edwardian Days just before the First World War. In the Edwardian era, Britain had a vast Empire, was very prosperous because of it and was full of confidence. The maiden voyage seemed to epitomise the best days of the Empire. By the time the play was written, Britain had been through the trauma of two world wars. People were expected to know their place in society and stick to it and moving from one section of the class system to another was frowned upon those in power. Workers like Eva Smith were beginning to let it be known that they wanted a say…show more content…
Mr Birling has no respect for any of the other classes and only believes that everyone should just look after themselves. “That man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own.” This implies that Mr Birling only cares for himself and how much profit he can make from his business. Priestley presents to us that a change in the upper class is needed because without the working class they would have no business. The Inspector’s speech is the complete opposite of Mr Birlings speech. The Inspector believes that “we are members of one body” and that “we are responsible for each other.” This contradicts what Birling was saying at the beginning of the play. Also the Inspector repeats the word “we.” This shows that everyone needs to help one another because we cannot get by on our own. Priestley suggests that needs to be a change in upper class because “there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smith and John Smith…with their lives, their hopes and fears, their suffering and chance of happiness.” This presents that the people who can help these “John Smiths” (are the upper class) need to offer their support and comfort to them so that they can be happy, however Mr Birling does not have these emotions as we have see through out the play. The Inspector arrives at very good moments in time in the play. He arrives just as Mr Birling is saying “community and all that nonsense”, this implies that the Inspector is going to challenge Mr Birling on everything he just said, to see if he is correct. Also at the end of the play another Inspector is sent round to the Birlings house. “A police Inspector is on his way here – to ask some – questions.” This shows that Mr and Mrs Birling and Gerald have not learnt from the Inspector so they cycle has to begin again. Priestley wants us to know that you cannot run away from your
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