Key arguments

Responsibility

In ‘An Inspector Calls’, Priestley promotes social responsibilities through accepting consequences for personal actions. Inspector Goole reflects Priestley’s socialist views - this is contrasted by the selfish behaviour of the Birlings, Mr and Mrs Birling in particular

Ending

At the end of ‘An Inspector Calls’, Priestley uses the Inspector to promote social responsibility which Eric and Shiela also represent, although the older generation refuse to change their greedy capitalist behaviour.

Role and significance of Mrs Birling

Priestley uses Mrs Birling to criticise the greed and selfishness of the upper class as she personifies those capitalist beliefs and presents a generational divide when she refuses to change her values. She also highlights the hypocrisy and judgemental attitudes towards the working class, following contemporary gender roles

How is Mrs Birling presented?

Mrs Birling is presented as greedy and selfish through her refusal to accept responsibility or change her values as well as being hypocritical and judgemental towards the working class through a perceived social superiority.

Role and significance of the Inspector

Inspector Goole reflects Priestley’s socialist attitudes as he counters Mr Birling’s selfish priorities while judging his morals and influences the younger generation to change their capitalist behaviour.

How is the Inspector presented?

Throughout the play, Priestley presents the Inspector as omniscient and dutiful to his country through the reflection of Priestley’s socialist attitudes.

Role and significance of Eva Smith

Priestley uses Eva as symbolic of poor treatment the working class often received through social inequality, yet consistently shows better morals than the Birlings and causes the family to accept guilt and responsibility for their actions.

How is Eva Smith presented?

Eva is presented a sexually attractive causing Gerald and Eric to abuse her beauty, although Mr and Mrs Birling dislike her socialist behaviour, which they consider to be a rude representation of the wording class. Eva is presented through the eyes of other characters so the audience always has a biased perspective of her.

Role and significance of Eric

How is Eric presented?

Role and significance of Sheila

How is Sheila presented?

Role and significance of Gerald

How is Gerald presented?

Role and significance of Mr Birling

How is Mr Birling presented?

The Opening

How are women presented throughout An Inspector Calls?

What is the role and significance of women in An Inspector Calls?