capitalism v socialism

• • Priestley's intntion with this theme is to present the fall of capitalism and the rise of socialism, symbolising it as the more powerful political system
  • this is presented through the questioning of the Birlings, who represent the capitalists, by the Inspecotr, who is Priestley's socialist mouthpiece
• 1. capitalism is presented as dominant
  2. the Inspector enters as the voice of socialism
  3. the Inspector condemns capitalism and presents its flaws
  4. the Inspector juxtaposes capitalism
  5. socialism's victory is portrayed at the end
• capitalism is presented as dominant:

  • division of society which capitalism brings
  • description of the Birling's home, living in suburbs, all due to them being upper class
  • before Inspector, Mr Birling is presented as most powerful character - he is the speech maker, he is heavy and portentous, he commands the room and his children, he speaks the most
  • symbolises dominance of capitalism in society, of how it went unchallenged
• the Inspector enters as the voice of socialism:

  • the description of the Inspector signals his ability to take over
  • the Inspector is in control, compared to Mr Birling, who seems superficial through his portentousness
  • Mr Birling enters the conversation, trying to boast and take control, and is shut down by Inspector
• the Inspector condemns capitalism and presents its flaws:

  • capitalism is presented as selfish and self-serving
  • the Inspector presents the flaws within this through exploring the treatment of Eva Smith
  • Mr Birling refusing her payment caused Eva to be out of a job
  • Mrs Birling refuses her charity which shows how power is used to trap people in poverty
  • along with the actions of the other Birlings, Eva chooses an act of mercy to kill herself - escape the destructive cycle of capitalism
• socialism's victory:

  • throughout the Inspector breaking down capitalism, new growth is shown through Sheila and Eric
  • through them pulling away from their parents and providing themselves with autonomy, they present the growth of socialism
• the Inspector juxtaposes capitalism:

  • he pushes for the idea of connection and community
  • he presents socialism as a solution to conflict, which would be influential to his audience, who have been through conflict of the wars
• capitalism is presented as dominant:

  • "substantial and heavily comfortable"
  • "desert plates and champagne glasses"
  • "heavy looking, rather portentous"
  • "I am still on the Bench"
  • "Just let me finish, Eric"
• • the Inspector is used as a method by Priestley to provide his audience with not just the disadvantages of capitalism, but an alternative: socialism
• the Inspector enters as the voice of socialism:

  • "impression of massiveness, solidarity and purposefulness"
  • "he speaks carefully, weightly" compared to "provincial"
  • makes Mr Birling nervous, "moves relentlessly, then turns"
• the Inspector condemns capitalism and presents its flaws:

  • "I refused of course"
  • " I used my influence to have it refused"
  • "burnt her inside out of course"
• the Inspector juxtaposes capitalism:

  • "it is better to ask for the Earth than to take it"
  • "We are members of one body"
  • "if men do not learn that lesson, it will be taught in fire blood and anguish"
• socialism's victory:

  • Sheila "protesting"
  • Sheila has a speech which mirrors the Inspector
  • "it frightens me the way you talk"
  • "we did her in all right"