Responsibility in An Inspector Calls

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to responsibility as explored in Priestley's play, An Inspector Calls.

Moral Responsibility

The obligation to act with consideration for the welfare of others and society, emphasized in Priestley's play. 🤝✨

Capitalism

An economic system that prioritizes making profits and personal wealth above all else. 💰🏭

Social Responsibility

The idea that individuals and society have a duty to care for the welfare of others, especially the vulnerable. 🌍❤️

Antithesis

A person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else; used to describe Mr. Birling's views. ⚖️🚫

Sheila Birling

A character representing the compassionate younger generation, who learns the importance of shared responsibility. 👧💎

Eva Smith’s Death

A significant event in the play that symbolizes the consequences of neglecting social responsibility. 🥀🕯️

Mr Birling

A character who embodies the antithesis of Priestley’s social responsibility message, prioritizing profits over people. 🎩📈

Priestley’s Inspector

A symbol of moral responsibility, advocating for the need to care for one another in society. 🕵️‍♂️📢

Mrs Birling

A character who rejects social responsibility, showcasing the corruption in social institutions. 👵🧤

Socialist Attitudes

Beliefs advocating for wealth distribution to prioritize workers’ interests over capitalists'. 🛠️✊

Eric Birling

The son who struggles with his inner conscience and alcohol, eventually accepting his role in Eva's downfall. 🍷📉

Gerald Croft

A character representing the upper-class business interest who shows some regret but ultimately sides with the status quo. 💍💼

Dramatic Irony

A literary device used when the audience knows more than characters, such as when Mr. Birling calls the Titanic 'unsinkable' in 1912. 🚢⚓

The Younger Generation

Represented by Sheila and Eric, this group is depicted as more open to change and social progress. 🌱🌟

The Older Generation

Represented by the Birlings, this group remains stubborn, selfish, and resistant to moral growth. 🧱🛑

Edna

The Birling family's maid who represents the silent, exploited working class within the household. 🧹🚪