‘Priestley shows how inequality in society leads to tragedy.’ How far do you agree with this view of An Inspector Calls?

"Public men, Mr. Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges." - Inspector Goole

• admonition (warning)

• emphasises that failure to recognise + fulfill these responsibilities can lead to tragic consequences to society

• Balanced phrasing highlights moral obligation.

• The Inspector’s authoritative tone positions him as Priestley’s voice.

• Reflects socialist ideology and post-war calls for social reform.

"Sheila, you've been through it—and now you want to see somebody else put through it." - Mrs. Birling

• reveals the lack of empathy and accountability among the upper class

• their privilege blinds them to the suffering of others and perpetuates (makes something continue) tragic circumstances.

• Reflects entrenched classism and moral arrogance of Edwardian elites.

"You lot may be letting yourselves out nicely, but I can't. I did what I did because I was frightened and now I'm being made to look at it again." - Gerald Croft

• admission reflects the guilt and remorse experienced by those complicit in perpetuating inequality, highlighting the personal and societal repercussions of their actions.

• Gerald’s guilt shows awareness, yet he still benefits from inequality. Priestley suggests that awareness alone is insufficient without action.

"I felt rotten about it at the time and now I feel a lot worse." - Eric Birling

• The comparative “a lot worse” shows lasting guilt.

• reflects his remorse and guilt for his actions towards Eva Smith, highlighting the personal anguish resulting from the perpetuation of inequality.

• emphasizes the emotional toll of societal injustice and the tragic consequences it can have on individuals' consciences.

"But these girls aren't cheap labour—they're people." - Sheila Birling

• challenges the dehumanisation of the working class and underscores the tragic consequences of treating individuals as disposable commodities (useful thing)

• The contrast between “cheap labour” and “people” exposes how capitalism strips workers of humanity.

• Sheila’s language shows moral awakening, acting as Priestley’s hope for change.

• Reflects growing socialist attitudes and the post-war welfare state.

"A man has to make his own way—has to look after himself—and his family too, —and so long as he does that he won't come to much harm." - Mr. Birling

• reflects Birling's dismissive attitude towards societal responsibility

• highlights his belief in individualism, which contributes to the perpetuation of inequality.

• The repetition of “has to” conveys Birling’s rigid, self-centred worldview.

• The dismissive tone reduces social responsibility to a personal burden rather than a moral duty.

• Reflects Edwardian capitalism, where business owners prioritised profit over workers welfare.

• Priestley, writing in 1945, criticises this mindset after two world wars caused by similar selfish attitudes.

overall thesis

Priestley presents inequality as a destructive force that leads directly to Eva Smith’s tragic death through capitalist ideology, class prejudice, and abuse of power, the upper classes exploit the working class.

Priestley uses the Inspector as a moral voice to argue that tragedy is not inevitable, but the result of human choices in an unequal society. Therefore, inequality is shown as the root cause of tragedy, but it is sustained by individuals’ moral failures.