An Inspector Calls : Responsibility

“ As if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive - community and all that nonsense”

-Mr Birling

Act 1

Mr Birling employs zoomorphism to characterise society , particularly likening the lower classes to bees. This direct comparison reflects Mr Birlings degradation and mockery of the concept of collective responsibility portraying it as animalistic and primal behaviour fit only for insignificant creatures like “bees”

The hyphen prompts a theatrical pause , compelling the actor of Mr birling to hesitate before articulating the word community. Emphasising a physical repulsion to the idea as he struggles to even verbalise it.

By acting as a microcosm of capitalist ideologies, Mr birling becomes vilified for his rejection of community and his preference for materialism over human relationships.

“Public men Mr Birling , have responsibilities as well as priveledges”

Act 2

Inspector

The syntax of the word responsibilities before privileges reflect the direct order of importance emphasised by the inspector to Mr Birling.

Mr Birling perceives his social class as granting him authority to dehumanise those beneath him and free himself from any responsibility of the suffering her causes them.

“He certiantly didnt make me confess”

Mrs Birling

Act 3

The verb ‘confess’ has connotations of crime ans by stating she hasnt commited any unlawful acts she subtly implies her lack of responsibility. She effortlessly denies her accountability reflecting her accpetance of selfish attitudes and iresponsibility within capitalist ideologies

The imperative verb ‘make’ hints at another reason as to why she so actively rejects responsibility- it is a way of keeping her afloat in the power struggle between her and the inspector.

Mrs Birlings choice of words implies that admitting responsibility would be condescending to the inspector, threatening her status in the capitalist hierarchy so instead she is safeguaring her positon within a seoceital structure dictated by capitalist ideologies .

[Enters briskly and self confidently , quite out of key ]

Her entry to act two is conducted under the arrogance of her social superiority. Her onstenatious display of class renders her charcter discordant within the narratuve of grief,remorse and suicide . This further excaberates her emotional detachment as she maintains the same cold demeanor as in Act 1 .

The adverb [briskly] indicates that mrs birling is unwilling to pause and contemplate the adverse effects of her familys immorality and exploitation .

Her demeanor is conceited amd calculated , typical of someone of her social standing who may typically naviagte such situations effortlessly with rehearsed socal grace, however she fails to realise that she will not remain unscathed for her and her familys irresponsibility this time.