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Social Inequality in An Inspector Calls Essay

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An Inspector Calls was written by JB Priestly in 1912. JB Priestly aimed the play to show the huge social inequality between the rich and the poor. Priestly uses dramatic methods e.g. shows how powerful the inspector is as he can say little and get a lot back from the Birling family in the play to emphasize the huge impact he has on the house. JB Priestly uses the inspector as the main dramatic source of the play by making out he is all knowing and kind of a god-like figure. He is used to convey Priestleys views, as Priestley was strongly against inequality. He makes it seem as if socialism is the true and honest way to live. The Inspector uses graphic imagery in order to shock the Birlings into giving him information, "a young woman drank some disinfectant and died after several hours of agony". This causes a dramatic presence in the Birling house, as the inspector knows almost everything about what happened to Eva, whereas the Birlings only know what themselves have encountered with Eva. Priestley also uses a huge amount of irony throughout the play. It is used to promote the Inspector yet mock Mr. Birling. I think Mr. Birling is very much in control at the start of the play because to his family he is a practical hard headed businessman as he always reminds them. But then he starts to say that it is almost impossible for the Titanic to sink, and what he doesnt know is that the Titanic would sink a short time after. Also, Birling insists there would be no war, but shortly after, World War 1 broke out. So once again Birling was wrong about his assumptions. Around this time the audience begins to see how foolish Birling is, and how upper class people dont know everything.

The play was set in 1912, Edwardian England, just before the war. Most people worked in the manufacturing industries, transport and trade. This was a time when many strikes and political tension where around. This shows that Eva Smith and her co-workers striking were not rare. However, Mr. Birling still decided to sack her as he believed that no-body of a lower class should argue against him, and she had a lot more to say than the others. He also classifies her as a ring-leader of trouble. Birling felt discriminated and thought the best way to get rid of Eva was to sack her, without thinking of the consequences. Evidently, at the time businessmen like Arthur Birling were also having an increasingly hard time after 1900 after facing increasing competition, which explains why he may have never gave a raise. In that case there was still no need to sack Eva, no matter what. But when Birling is asked why he sacked her, he simply responds by saying If you dont come down sharply on some people theyd soon be asking for the world. Eric, Birlings son, supports Eva throughout the debate, and challenges Birling in many situations. At one point, Eric says We try for the highest possible prices, why shouldnt they try for the highest possible wages? Birling thinks this is inevitable and is furious at Eric for criticizing his business and challenging him this way. In the early 1990s, the father of the house was seen as the head of the house, it was a patriarchal society. This makes Birling even angrier as he feels he shouldnt be disagreed with, just as he felt he did with Eva. Mr. Birling and the Inspector's views completely oppose each other. As the Inspector puts others first, whereas Mr. Birling believes that you are responsible only for yourself.

So at this point, Birling is being challenged from 2 different directions; Inspector Goole and Eric. As Birling doesnt like different opinions to his, 2 coming at him at the same time aggravate him. However, Gerald seems to be behind Birling throughout the situation by agreeing with him with almost everything he says, but Gerald doesnt know what is coming yet, although the audience has an idea due to the Inspector asking him to stay at the beginning of the play.

At this point, emotions and views are mixed up all over the place; Eric is against Birling and totally supports Eva, Inspector Goole is staying calm but deep down is infuriated with Birling for being so casual about the situation, Birling can feel the pressure building and the challenging going on and so he is frustrated, and Gerald is just trying to stay loyal to Birling as he wants to marry Sheila, Birlings daughter. The audience can see that Birlings own children are turning against him, but Gerald remains loyal by saying You couldnt have done anything else. Eric backfires by supporting Eva.

When Sheila enters, she has no idea of what is going on until the inspector asks her to stay. The audience then has a clear idea that the whole of the family may be involved in the chain of events that lead to Eva committing suicide. Sheila comes in and says Sorry, mummy sent me in in a very child like manner, also Birling gets angry at the fact Inspector Goole is explaining to Sheila what happened and he thinks it is unpleasant business. This shows that Sheila is still treated like a child by her parents even at her age. This was common in the 1990s. Sheila, however, insists she is told about the unpleasant business and so the inspector tells her. Throughout this last part of the scene, Sheila realizes that her family is not very close nit as you would expect. Also, that her and Eric do not have much knowledge of their parents and vice versa. This scene ends in confusion and curiosity which shows that all the family really cared about was money and their businesses and not each others or anyone elses feelings.

In conclusion, An Inspector Calls is made up by using Dramatic irony, dramatic points, references to the past/future, use of lighting, use of timing and use of social inequality etc. Throughout the play, the Audience is given clues to who is involved, and is also left in suspense and shock at times. All of these points help contribute to the response of the audience and the play as a whole.

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