An Inspector Calls- themes

Page 1

social class system // responsibility

CONTEXT

set in 1912 but written in 1945

Churchill (conservatives) voted out, Attlee (labour) voted in [1945]

after 2 world wars

MR BIRLING

seen as the ideal capitalistic character:

keen to get his knighthood - may be stunted due to a "public scandal"

thinks his authority makes him more important

'I was an alderman for years – and Lord Mayor two years ago – and I’m still on the Bench – so I know the Brumley officers pretty well'

"look forward to a time when Croft’s and Birling’s are no longer competing but working together – for lower costs and higher prices"

'You! You don’t seem to care about anything. But I care. I was almost certain for a knighthood in the next Honours List'

a respected "practical man of business"

"it's my duty to keep labour costs down"

"a man has to mind his own business and look after himself"

"a man has to make his own way"

"I refused, of course"

"You'll apologize at once ... I'm a public man -"

doesn't understand the impulse to be responsible for each other, ESPECIALLY EVA SMITH'S DEATH.

"community and all that nonsense."

"we've been done"

"like bees in a hive"

MRS BIRLING

enforces the 20th-century class system

'Arthur you’re not supposed to say such things'

‘Sheila! What an expression! Really, the things you girls pick up these days!’

'Now Sheila don’t tease him. When you're married you'll realise that men with important work to do sometimes have to spend nearly all their time and energy on their business.'

‘Now Arthur, I don’t think you ought to talk business on an occasion like this.’

looks down on any class but upper

" Girls of that class-’

'(staggered) Well, really! Alderman Meggarty! I must say, we are learning something tonight'

‘It’s disgusting to me.’

‘But I think she had only herself to blame’

'Simply a gross piece of impertinence'

‘As if a girl of that sort would refuse money.

’ refuses to accept any responsibility: blames everyone but herself

"I did nothing I’m ashamed of"

‘But I think she had only herself to blame’

'I'll tell you what I told her. Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility.'

And please remember before you start accusing me of anything again that it wasn't I who had her turned out of her employment – which probably began it all.'

"But I accept no blame for it at all.’

SHEILA BIRLING

the epitome of the change in social attitudes

'But these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people.'

But that’s not what I’m talking about. I don’t care about that. The point is, you don’t seem to have learnt anything.

accepts responsibility straight away

'(Miserably) So I’m really responsible?'

'No, not really it was my own fault.'

'I’ll never, never do it again.'

'I know I’m to blame – and I’m desperately sorry'

the purpose of Sheila is to give hope for the future, catharsis

Page 2

gender

stereotypes- widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or an idea of a particular type of person or thing.

aic is all about the challenging of stereotypes, especially subverting the sexist 20th-century ideas

CONTEXT

women were supposed to be obsessed with superficial things

meant to be "protected" by the outside world

meant to let the men be breadwinners

more emotional

men allowed to whore around

WOMEN

SHEILA

“Very pleased with life.”

“I think it’s perfect. Now I really feel engaged.”

“Is it the one you wanted me to have?”

‘Oh-its wonderful! Look- Mummy- isn’t it a beauty? Oh - darling - [She kisses Gerald hastily]’

'What was she like? Quite young?'

She was very pretty and looked like she could take care of herself.’

challenges family and counterparts

EVA

“young, fresh and charming”

questioning her boss' decisions

striked for higher wages

tried to make her own way- refused Eric's stolen money

MEN

MR BIRLING

believed that men were superior

'Sheila's a lucky girl - and I think you're a pretty fortunate young man too, Gerald'

'Are you listening, Sheila? This concerns you too. And after all, I don’t often make speeches at you-'

‘Clothes mean something quite different to a woman. Not just something to wear and not only something to make 'em look prettier but a sort of sign or token of their self-respect.’

'She was one of my employees and then I discharged her.'

‘Nothing to do with you, Sheila. Run along’

‘A young unmarried girl is being dragged into this-'

'Be quiet Sheila’

fragile masculinity

Telling me to shut up – and so on’

‘You ought to have stood up to him'

‘Is there any reason why my wife should answer questions from you. Inspector?’

ERIC

says he'd pay Eva 25 shillings- unlike Mr Birling

Page 3

family

CONTEXT

meant to follow a role and be content [live up to the roles]

gender roles incorporated into their family roles

men were to support and protect the family - especially wives and daughters

women were to marry into money

women responsible for the socialisation and appearances

children seen not heard

Page 4

age

CONTEXT

normally thought the elder generation were wiser and "all-knowing"

the older generation are traditional capitalists

mean to respect elders

YOUNGER GENERATION // EVA, ERIC AND SHEILA

seen as ambitious, determined, motivated

challenge society's norms and stereotypes

more accepting of change and reformation

"had a lot to say- far too much"-Mr Birling on Eva

"better keep quiet"

OLDER GENERATION // MR&MRS BIRLING

have very traditional views

represent views of the ruling class

shows the flaws of the old class system

GERALD // OLDEST YOUNG MAN

closer to Sheila and Eric in age but has already developed the older Birling's attitudes

doesn't adopt a responsible attitude

proof of the theory that a reformed future in inevitable

marries Sheila for business reasons

agrees with Birling to have Eva fired

"everything's alright now Sheila"

Page 5

selfishness

Mr Birling

• Selfishness and greed.

Mr Birling is motivated by his own Capitalist beliefs and ideologies.

Mr Birling refuses to acknowledge any social responsibility.

More concerned about his reputation.

‘mixed up together like bees in a hive’

‘Community and all that nonsense’

‘a man has to mind his own business and look out for himself and his own."

'We were paying the usual rates and if they didn't like those rates, they could go and work somewhere else. It's a free country, I told them.‘

'Well, it’s my duty to keep labour costs down, and if I’d agreed to this demand for a new rate we’d have added about twelve percent to our labour costs.'

Sheila

Sheila appears jealous and acts on her own insecurities

Sheila is willing to take responsibility, less selfish than the older generation.

“(rather distressed) Sorry! It’s just I can’t help thinking about this girl – destroying herself so horribly – and I’ve been so happy tonight.”

‘She was very pretty and looked like she could take care of herself.’

Gerald

Selfishness is questionable

Does Gerald act out of pity or his need to be a hero?

Does Gerald represent the selfish nature of patriarchy – or is it chivalry?

‘You were the wonderful fairy prince. You must have enjoyed it, Gerald.’

‘I didn’t install her there so I could make love to her.’

‘I didn’t feel about her as she felt about me.’

‘My God! ...I’ve suddenly realized – taken it in properly – that she’s dead!’

Eric

Selfishness or immaturity?

Is Eric just impulsive?

Eric feels remorse.

‘I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty.’

"You killed her – and the child she’d have had too – my child.’

‘You’re beginning to pretend as if nothing’s really happened at all. And I can’t see it like that. The girl’s still dead, isn’t she?’