social class

• How does social class influence the events in the play?

  It creates divisions and affects character interactions
• What was the state of class division in Britain in 1912?

  Class divided Britain into wealthy and poor
• What was the relationship between landowners and workers in 1912?

  Landowners were wealthy, workers lived in poverty
• How did the World Wars affect the British class system?

  They dismantled the class system and united people
• What does Priestley emphasize about class inequality after the wars?

  It still existed despite the wars' impact
• How did the upper classes view the working class?

  They scorned and mocked them
• What message does Priestley convey about social equality?

  Encourages society to move towards equality
• How are the Birlings described at the beginning of the play?

  They live in blissful ignorance of suffering
• What does the lighting symbolize when the play begins?

  It symbolizes the Birlings' rose-tinted perspective
• What does the "intimate" atmosphere reveal about the Birlings?

  They are undisturbed by others' troubles
• How does Priestley portray the upper classes' conscience?

  They lack a conscience regarding others' suffering
• What does Priestley use to emphasize the divide between rich and poor?

  The differences in characters' experiences
• How does social class alienate the characters in the play?

  It prevents interaction between the classes
• What does Mr Birling claim about the country's future?

  It is in for increasing prosperity
• What does Mr Birling overlook in his claims of prosperity?

  Poverty and struggles of the lower classes
• What does Priestley suggest about the success of one group versus another?

  Success for some does not mean success for all
• How do the Birlings react to the Inspector's visit?

  They focus on their own inconveniences
• What does the juxtaposition between Mr Birling and the Inspector reveal?

  Mr Birling's selfishness and ignorance
• What does Eva Smith symbolize in the play?

  The struggles of the lower classes
• How does the audience perceive Eva Smith?

  Through the Birlings' biased remarks
• What does Mr Birling represent in terms of social class?

  He symbolizes class conflict and privilege
• How does Mr Birling view his social status?

  He feels entitled to respect and power
• What does Mr Birling boast about to the Inspector?

  His career history and respectability
• What does Mr Birling expect from the Inspector due to his status?

  To be treated differently as a public man
• What does the Inspector remind Mr Birling about public men?

  They have responsibilities as well as privileges
• How does Mr Birling view the lower classes?

  As people who need to be kept in check
• What does Mrs Birling represent in the play?

  Upper class prejudice and judgment
• How does Mrs Birling view Eva Smith?

  As weak and foolish due to her class
• What does Mrs Birling's reaction to Eva's suicide reveal?

  Her lack of empathy for the working class
• How does Mrs Birling generalize about lower class people?

  She believes they are all immoral and greedy
• What does Mrs Birling think about Eva's introduction as "Mrs Birling"?

  She views it as gross impertinence
• How does Mrs Birling's attitude reflect societal prejudices?

  It shows how ingrained class biases are
• What does Priestley suggest about the impact of class prejudices?

  They lead to deliberate dismissal of others
• How does the upper class view their lower class peers?

  They are deliberately dismissive of them.
• What stereotype does Mrs. Birling hold about lower class people?

  She believes they are immoral and money-hungry.
• How does Mrs. Birling's bias affect her judgment?

  She overreacts to small flaws as confirmation.
• What does Mrs. Birling think about Eva introducing herself as "Mrs. Birling"?

  She sees it as gross impertinence and deliberate disrespect.
• What does the phrase "gross impertinence - quite deliberate" imply about Mrs. Birling's character?

  It shows her excessive pretentiousness and superiority.
• What does the adverb "naturally" suggest about Mrs. Birling's views?

  She feels justified in her prejudice against lower classes.
• How does Priestley portray the upper classes' attitude towards the working classes?

  They seek excuses to disgrace and discredit them.