Themes in AIC

Responsibility

the Inspector shows that all actions have consequences. He says other characters be accountable for their actions and that they take responsibility for others. This is also intended for the wider audience and for society

how was each character responsible

• Each character had an individual connection with Eva, regardless of how fleeting, and their actions have influenced her fate

how was sheila responsible, and how does she acknowledge this

• Sheila is the first character in the play to accept responsibility for her actions, which demonstrates her courage and empathy 

• she admits to getting Eva sacks and understands the impact of this

how was Eric responsible, and how does he acknowledge this

• Eric initially offers marriage to Eva which shows some attempt at responsibility:

• However, as the father of her child, he ultimately fails in his duty to protect both of them 

what does the inspector stand for?

• members of a society have duties and obligations towards the welfare of others 

• He suggests they have a collective and social responsibilityto take care of each other

what is Priestley’s intention

• Priestley emphasises the importance of both personal and social responsibility:

• He insists this extends beyond the confines of a family unit and spreads to society as a whole

what is the difference?Capitalism versus Socialism

• While Capitalism seeks to benefit the individual, Socialism is focused on benefiting society

how do the Birlings and Eva contrast?

• Priestley depicts the comfortable, life of the Birlings who thrive on Capitalism:

• This is contrasted with the distressing account of Eva, who is forced to live a wretched life due to their greed

• Despite being a good worker, Eva is exploited and marginalised by those within the privileged Capitalist system

what does priestley believe that a capitalist society creates

• Priestley maintains that such a system creates and perpetuates inequalities in society and prevents social mobility:

• Eva is trapped in a cycle of poverty and despite her attempts to improve her situation, she cannot overcome it

what is the purpose of the inspectors moralistic tone?

• it serves to condemn the entrenched Capitalist views of the group:

• His message that we are all part of one community is firmly established

what is priestly ideological intent

• Through the Inspector, Priestley presents the Birlings and Capitalism in a negative light:

• They are presented as individualistic, self-centred and amoral, placing profit and greed above the rights and concerns of others

how does priestley show generational divide through Arthur and sybil

• They fail to acknowledge Sheila and Eric as adults and offer little support

• They ignore Eric’s alcoholism ,maybe due to their indulgence

• They attempt to shield Sheila from hearing sordid details about “women of the town”, despite Sheila being already aware of such realities

how does priestley show that only the younger generation want to change

Priestley portrays Arthur, Sybil and Gerald as fully entrenched in upper-class notions of superiority and unable to change

The Inspector shows the audience that all of the characters have had an opportunity for redemption, though only Sheila and Eric have embraced it:

what is the older generation shown to have more concern for ?

• The older generation is more concerned with protecting their social positions and continues to perceive themselves as upstanding members of the community

what does the younger gen symbolise

• Sheila challenges her parents for not learning from the Inspector, thus illustrating a greater capacity to learn from her mistakes

• The younger generation present a symbol of hope

what is priestly intention for the audience (gen divide)

• Through Sheila and Eric, Priestley offers optimism to the audience that the younger generation is capable of change:

• Priestley depicts the younger generation as more compassionate and empathetic which suggests they will no longer avoid their social responsibilities 

what does priestley think would be the result of a changing younger generation?

• Priestley suggests the younger generation will avoid the errors of the previous generation:

• He suggests the selfish and exploitative Capitalist system will be replaced with a more Socialist agenda