Morality And Double Standards In J. B Priestley's An Inspector Calls
In the play An Inspector Calls written by J.B Priestley, the use of morality and double standards gives us an insight into the society of the early 1900s; which remains relevant in social stratification, cultural and deviance aspects. Through the story of Arthur Birling, Mrs. Sybil Birling and their children Eric and Sheila. The upper-class family, with untouchable reputation, enjoy of an intimate party soiree in honour of Sheila's engagement to Gerald Croft. Son of a well-known business man, Sir George Croft from Crofts Limited. When Inspector Goole pays a mood-changing visit, resulting in the systematic manipulation of the presumably respectable characters. Developing into a sharing of secrets and criminal confessions with which the author emits a strong message regarding hypocrisy and wrongdoing. Particularly through the character of Sheila, who is first described as “very pleased with life and rather excited” but later bursts out of her bubble, appalled from the unsympathetic and unequal …show more content…
This image remains when she confesses “I went to the manager at Milwards and I told him that if they didn't get rid of that girl, I’d never go near the place again…” showing how conscious of her power, and filled with jealousy and rage, feels the need to act out like a spoiled kid to get what she wants. However this changes when the reader realizes, how unlike her parents, Sheila accepts the consequences of her acts. This is highlighted when she acknowledges to the Inspector “No, not really. It was my own fault...At least, I’m trying to tell the truth.” Sheila acts devastated by the death of Eva which according to her is entirely her fault, thing which is proven wrong later in the play; nonetheless her genuine regret and bravery in accepting culpability is admired by the
Mr Birling Quotes
541 Words | 3 PagesIn J.B. Priestley's play "An Inspector Calls," Mr Birling is portrayed as a wealthy businessman and a prominent member of the community. He is the head of a family that represents the upper class of Edwardian society, and his views and opinions reflect the prevailing attitudes of his time. Mr Birling's views on gender are typical of the patriarchal and conservative attitudes of his time. He believes that women should be submissive and should not have a say in political or economic matters.
Comparing John Updike And Toni Cade Bambara's The Lesson
873 Words | 4 PagesLoss of Innocence In John Updike’s “A&P” and Toni Cade Bambara’s “The Lesson” the two authors illustrate difficult initiations teenagers face while they realize the harshness of society around them. Updike’s “A&P” explores the inner thoughts of a teenage boy, Sammy, who makes the tough decision to quit his job at the local A&P and realizes the bitterness of the world. Similarly, Bambara’s “The Lesson” explores the inner thoughts of a teenage girl, Sylvia, who realizes the value of money and clash of social classes through a field trip to a toy store. Although the protagonists are a part of different societies, they share similarities in character development through parallel epiphanies.
Sheila Birling Responsible
142 Words | 1 PagesAn Inspector Calls ‘An Inspector Calls’ is a play written Just after the second world war by the playwright J.B Priestly, The Play is set in 1912 with a working class family in brumley when an inspector shows up during a family celebration but it does not turn out the best. The Character of Mr Arthur Birling is meant to be a ‘Responsible’ man but after he has given his fair share of advice to Gerald and Eric we quickly learn that he is rather more selfish than responsible during his speech he says “A man has to make his own way - has to look after himself - and his family too, of course... The cranks talking as if we were all mixed up together” prior to this the Birling Family were celebrating the engagement of Sheila Birling and Gerald
How Does Priestley Create Tension In An Inspector Calls
1175 Words | 5 Pages'An Inspector Calls' was written by 'J.B Priestley' in the year 1944/45 and it was set in 1912 before the first World War and the sinking of the 'unsinkable Titanic. The play was first produced in 1946 after the war. The play is about the Birling's that are celebrating their daughter's engagement with Gerald Croft and the Inspector interrupts them with the news about a girl's suicide. The girl seems to be driven to suicide due to the actions of the family and the Inspector wants the family to know the consequences of their choices and actions. Priestley uses the Inspector to convey his socialist ideas in the capitalist setting of the play with the theme that we are all responsible for each other, i.e each character's action led to the evitable
How Does Priestley Create Tension In An Inspector Calls
978 Words | 4 PagesAs a result of the Birlings' capitalist viewpoint, Priestley clearly shows the disparity between the upper and lower classes in An Inspector Calls, which leads to Eva Smith's tragic suicide as a result of the Birlings' capitalist viewpoint on life. There is no doubt that Priestley focused on the patriarchal nature of British society at the time, doing so to emphasise the need for change to take place in Britain, especially for families like the Birlings, who are represented by Priestley's work. At the start of the play Priestley highlights the Birlings' desire to portray their lives as "pink and intimate," an idealised vision of what life should be like. Essentially, what Priestley is trying to convey is that he wants the audience to overlook
Hetty Dorval Character Analysis
1001 Words | 5 PagesAn epiphany can radically change our views on a complex idea, a person that is considered close, or about our own self. A coming of age journey is an experience that allows us to discover the moral growth of an individual as they face a difficult internal dilemma or a situation with another human being. In Hetty Dorval written by Ethel Wilson, a young girl by the name of Frankie Burnaby is faced with multiple crossroads in her life that mould her into an independent women. Frankie's integrity and moral fortitude against wrong prevails as she goes through her coming of age story. Frankie grows up in a small close-nit community in British Columbia’s interior, she learns to appreciate the small everyday tasks and not to get caught up with the
Hyperbole In An Inspector Calls
1522 Words | 7 PagesJ.B. Priestly's play, 'An Inspector Calls' explores the theme of responsibility using effective use of characterisation and dramatic structure. The play revolves around the upper-class Birling family and their involvement in the suicide of a young working-class woman. Through their actions, Priestly demonstrates that everybody has a responsibility to look out for each other and that we must consider the consequences of our actions. The play is set in 1912, just before the events of the first world war, in a small industrial town named Brumley.
How Is Sheila Presented In An Inspector Calls
1046 Words | 5 PagesPriestley wrote his polemical morality play ‘An Inspector Calls’ in 1946 shortly after the end of WW2. As a socialist Priestley was concerned that the rigid class system of Edwardian Britain would continue to limit and restrict women’s rights. tends for the play to assist people in their understanding of social responsibility. The didactic play takes place in Brumley, a microcosm of Edwardian Britain, and centres on the actions of the wealthy middle-class Birlings and Mr Croft and how their actions impact a working-class girl called Eva Smith. Throughout the play the audience see the transformation of Sheila’s character through which Priestley explores his underlying message of social responsibility.
How Does Priestley Present Eva Smith's Death In An Inspector Calls
997 Words | 4 PagesAn Inspector Calls explores the effect of class, age and people’s attitudes to responsibility and how prejudice can prevent people from taking responsibility in society. Arthur Birling, a wealthy capitalist and pretentious man, began the cycle of events that led to Eva Smith’s suicide. Mr. Birling runs his own factory and believes that survival of the fittest. Priestley emphasises his beliefs on capitalism through Mr. Birling dealing with Eva Smith demanding a pay rise.
The Role Of Lighting In J. B Priestley's An Inspector Calls
928 Words | 4 PagesJ.B Priestly wrote ‘An Inspector Calls’ in 1945, the last year of World War 2 but sets it in 1912 a time of inequality where upper and lower class was distinguished and treated differently within society and where a big gap existed among poor and rich people. The play introduces us to the theme of social inequality and social responsibility displaying the fact that trade unions were very weak, workers had few rights, wages were very low and many other injustices where made specially towards women; they were treated very differently then men and they were looked on as less important in society. Lighting is changed at the arrival of the Inspector "The lighting should be pink and intimate until the Inspector arrives, and then it should be brighter and harder" this displays a contrast between scenes and atmosphere. It also shows the change in mood; suggesting a cheerful environment and a very joyfully and delight mood, everybody feeling thrilled for Shelia 's engagement and celebrating united as a family. But it changes to "brighter and harder" at the arrival of the Inspector and
The Birling Family In J. B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls
414 Words | 2 PagesIn 1912, the difference between upper and lower class was very distinctive and noticeable to everyone in that society. The upper class were sophisticated, traditionally intelligent and had recognisable titles for other classes to identify them and to give themselves pride ,although the lower class usually worked cheap labour and struggled greatly to have a decent quality of life. In An Inspector Calls, the Birling family represent a typical upper class family but they are still aware of Gerald’s families status above them and Priestley represents the character of Arthur Birling to be very mindful of this and his ambition is portrayed in many ways throughout the play. Arthur Birling addresses the lower class as “these people” when talking about the issues with Eva Smith, this represents his capitalist views as he does not believe that a man like himself, a “hard-headed businessman”, should be looking after the poorer members of society.
Marxism In The Importance Of Being Earnest
919 Words | 4 PagesHow and why is a social group represented in a particular way? In his play The Importance of Being Earnest (1895, London St. James’ theater), Oscar Wilde portrays the attitudes and society of Victorian upper class through character interactions within the ‘Bunburyist’ adventures of Algernon Moncrieff and Jack Worthing. The play’s comedic elements, in addition to the portrayal of power structures, are used as an effective medium to challenge the viewer to reflect upon Wilde’s criticism on institutions and values of the aristocracy. In conjunction to this, deeper analysis can be conducteds about marriage in Victorian aristocracy and their attitudes to members of other social groups.
How Does Priestley Present The Inspector In An Inspector Calls
1316 Words | 6 PagesAn Inspector Calls Explore how Priestley presents the character of the Inspector in this text. Priestley presents the Inspector as working class through the Inspector’s use of language. This can be seen on page 184 (Act One), where the Inspector says, ‘...never did anybody no harm.’ The Inspector’s use of a double negative implies he had a bad quality of education, something which was common among working class families in the early 20th century.
Conflict In J. B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls
506 Words | 3 PagesHowever, by the third act Sheila no longer aims to impress Gerald. Instead Sheila (bitterly) announce: “You
Stereotypes In Lamb To The Slaughter
834 Words | 4 PagesMaloney’s impetuous behaviour and change in character after being betrayed exemplify how characters which the reader views as innocent may be the complete opposite. Her rash decisions and hypocritical actions make the reader question the accuracy of female stereotypes. Furthermore, Mrs. Maloney’s change in character from innocent to deceptive and dangerous allows the reader to come to a realization of how betrayal changes a person as a whole. As a result, one realizes that relying on appearances is impartial because one will never fully understand a person’s true
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