Social Inequality In An Inspector Calls
In An Inspector Calls, J B Priestley highlights the social inequality prevalent in 1912, in pre-war Britain. At the centre of the play are the Birlings, an ambitious upper-middle class family. Priestley uses gender stereotyping, contrasting characterisation and symbolic actions to depict the presence of social inequality. Priestley conveys his socialist view, that the upper classes should be responsible for others as well as themselves, and projects his disapproval of class, hence evoking a social and moral conscience amongst the upper class.
Priestley uses the contrasting characterisation of Birling, a firm capitalism whom is staunch in beliefs, and the Inspector, a character with more moderate, socialist ideas who acts as Priestley's mouthpiece
…show more content…
The Inspector’s dismissal of Birling’s relationship with the Chief Inspector “I don’t play golf” shows his refusal to be intimidated by status, hence encouraging the audience to weaken the influence of social hierarchy. Moreover, the Inspector’s presentation as omniscient, via the use of dramatic irony and foreshadowing, makes Birling seem short-sighted. Birling’s belief that the Titanic was “absolutely unsinkable”, when the audience knows better, depicts the blindness of the upper class, their idealism and lack of awareness for what is going on, which leads to them acting in a sense of authority they don’t deserve. The inspector’s entrance and disruption of Birling’s speech about social responsibility to Eric and Gerald is significant as it reveals Birling’s hypocrisy as he refuses to accept his inherent social responsibility. This leads the audience to trust the Inspector’s perspective, as a communicator of positive, socialist change. In addition, the Inspector provokes Mrs Birling into blaming the “drunken young idler”, which the audience knows is Eric, evincing dramatic irony. On realising that Eric is the drunk, she tries to retract her statement highlighting the double standards and hypocrisy of the upper class moral code. Contrasting to their parents, the younger Birlings are shown to be socially responsible and regretful for their actions contributing to the untimely death of Eva Smith. This symbolises Priestley’s hope of the younger generation instigating social
Summary Of Ain 'T No Makin' It By Jay Macleod
1422 Words | 6 PagesEquality. Opportunity. Prosperity. The American Dream paints a vision in which each of these ideals are ever present and available to all individuals inside the vast border of the nation. The notion is that every individual can, through concentrated efforts and dedication, improve their own socioeconomic class and climb up the hierarchy.
How Does The Inspector Take Responsibility In The Crucible
370 Words | 2 PagesIn the inspector calls the inspector shown as a all knowing main charcter. His purpose within the play is to make the Birling family take responsibility for there foul actions they took towards eve smith/daisy renton Priestly uses the quote "each of you helped kill her"this imply that the inspector wanted them to accept there and share there responsibility for each action the Birlings faimily did. Alternatively it also shows that due to the class of Birlings it took the inspectors appearance for them to realise there Responsibility as before they were very adimate that they would not take responsibility"i cant take any responsibility"In summery it shows how much the inspector wants them to see the wrong they have done and accept it. Looking specifically
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
Gender Stereotypes In An Inspector Calls Essay
1410 Words | 6 PagesThe repition of "I am a hard headed man of business" shows his arrogance and his capitalistic and emotionless mentality. "I say there isn't a chance of war" show his stubborn and arrogance. Priestly uses this dramatic irony to persuade the audience to side against Birling as they will think that he is foolish, unsympathetic and untrustworthy. As of portraying their stubborn and heard headed personality was not enough, Priestly makes it sure that the audience is able to clearly see mentality and coldness that capitalism brings to a human by making men emotionless and unsympathetic. "Well, we've several hundred young women there, y'know, and they keep changing.
Henry James The Funeral Diction
617 Words | 3 PagesParticularly, the speaker profiles Mr. Odger as a man engaged in “the useful profession of shoemaker” who “knocked in vain at the door that opens but to golden keys.” Here he obliquely patronizes Mr. Odger through the implication that the lower class should adhere to the bounds of their existing social status. Thus, the narrator retains a parochial view of the poor: any attempt on their behalf to transcend social hierarchy is a ludicrous notion. Following the narrator’s escape from the crowd into a hansom cab, he describes himself witnessing the affair as if “from a box at a play.” Notably, box seats are reserved for the opulent who can afford the luxury of sitting above the general audience.
Essay On Sheila's Change In An Inspector Calls
1041 Words | 5 PagesHere, there is a visible separation between the old and young characters because the old, Mr and Mrs Birling are still sticking to their arrogant and capitalistic views, however, the young, Sheila and Eric understands they have been immoral. Priestly had purposefully done this to highlight how corrupt capitalistic views were. As Priestly was a socialist he wanted to spread a message portrayed by the Inspector and the younger
Attitudes To Social Standing In Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window
1178 Words | 5 PagesRear Window, a 1954 Hitchcock film is deceptively simple on the surface, but contains messages about marriage, class and privacy, to name a few. This essay will explore how attitudes to social standing in the 1950’s are expressed in the film. Lisa displays the attitude that class shouldn't be a factor in determining how she behaves or whom she should get married to. Jeffries is an example of the attitude that because of their material wealth and status, those in the upper echelons of society aren't entirely human and treats them as such. Stella portrays the attitude that class shouldn't be a major consideration in who to marry, but Jeffries would be foolish to not exercise social mobility and marry Lisa to improve his own social standing.
The Judge Pyncheon Character Analysis
975 Words | 4 PagesThe suggestion that the Judge’s life contains “splendid rubbish [...] to cover up and paralyze a more active and subtle conscience” displays the duality of the characterization which the narrator creates. The juxtaposition of “splendid” and “rubbish” serve to expose the Judge’s deteriorating morals, while crafting the surface of respectability. This subtle use of contrasting opinions aids to establish the narrator’s sarcastic tone, simultaneously displaying the judge’s desired character and then undermining that character with suggestions of his true nature. The choice of the word “rubbish” especially highlights the sarcastic tone, equating the sequence of Judge Pyncheon’s life to that of trash, worthy of nothing. This carefully placed, critical diction reveals the true feelings of the narrator, bolstering his sarcasm.
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.
Morality And Double Standards In J. B Priestley's An Inspector Calls
504 Words | 3 PagesIn 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.
Social Class Stereotypes In Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice
826 Words | 4 PagesIn author Jane Austen 's 1813 romance novel Pride and Prejudice, social class stereotypes play a very key part when affecting the rolls of the Bennet sisters. Very clear distinctions between people who are grouped into classes are shown throughout the novel by characters of different classes stereotyping against others. This causes problems for many of the main characters who often fails to meet the social standards of others and stereotypes others themselves When it comes to social stereotypes Elizabeth Bennet, the second oldest Bennet sister, is no stranger. Throughout the novel her mother is often reminding her how to properly dress and correcting her on her manners.
Inspector Goole Character Analysis
1642 Words | 7 PagesPriestly attempts to exemplify in Mr Birling’s character into the type of mentality that majority of upper class capitalist business men had in the early 1900s in England. It is extremely ironic that the Inspector rings the bell of the house just as Mr Birling is telling Eric and Gerald that people must look out solely for their own interests ("a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own - and - “ act 1): throughout his interrogation, the Inspector champions the very opposite idea - that "we are all responsible for each other.” The Inspectors view on community as a whole is considered a very socialist view. Notably, Priestly was socialist after all and used the play as a more socially acceptable way of stating his opinion on social responsibility, politics and labour rights. The
The Netherfield Ball In Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice
703 Words | 3 PagesThis attraction between Jane and Mr. Bingley contributes to the work as a whole because Mr. Bingley’s values of love are displayed when he disregarded Jane’s lower social status for his affection for her. This scene also shows how one’s society standing can easily be changed, either for the good or for the bad, just by a
Examples Of Dramatic Irony In An Inspector Calls
747 Words | 3 PagesOne of the several themes that Priestley has introduced to the play is ‘Time,’ and this theme not only interlinks with some others like ‘Age and Youth’ and ‘Social Responsibility,’ but also introduces a very important drama technique into the play for the audience called the dramatic irony. In Act One, Mr. Birling, as a representative of the older generation of the play and the head of the family, is talking to the others about the progress humanity is making and mentions the liner, Titanic saying it is “unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable.” The word ‘absolutely’ in this context shows just how confident in his words Mr. Birling is, without understanding that it will all change. As the play is set back in 1912, but is performed much later in 1946, after the audience knows, and finds it ironic that Mr. Birling, thinking he is an old, wise man says such nonsense, as time will show.
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
More about Social Inequality In An Inspector Calls
Summary Of Ain 'T No Makin' It By Jay Macleod
1422 Words | 6 PagesHow Does The Inspector Take Responsibility In The Crucible
370 Words | 2 PagesThe Role Of Lighting In J. B Priestley's An Inspector Calls
928 Words | 4 PagesGender Stereotypes In An Inspector Calls Essay
1410 Words | 6 PagesHenry James The Funeral Diction
617 Words | 3 PagesEssay On Sheila's Change In An Inspector Calls
1041 Words | 5 PagesAttitudes To Social Standing In Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window
1178 Words | 5 PagesThe Judge Pyncheon Character Analysis
975 Words | 4 PagesMarxism In The Importance Of Being Earnest
919 Words | 4 PagesMorality And Double Standards In J. B Priestley's An Inspector Calls
504 Words | 3 PagesSocial Class Stereotypes In Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice
826 Words | 4 PagesInspector Goole Character Analysis
1642 Words | 7 PagesThe Netherfield Ball In Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice
703 Words | 3 PagesExamples Of Dramatic Irony In An Inspector Calls
747 Words | 3 PagesStereotypes In Lamb To The Slaughter
834 Words | 4 Pages