theme class

• Eva Smith is symbolic for the lower class as a whole
• Priestley explores the theme of class through the treatment of working class Eva smith
• How Priestley uses Eva:

  • she's treated very badly by the wealthy + upper classes

  -> Priestley wanted the audience to see the injustice and ignorance of this

  • Priestley shows how the Birlings' fixate on the impact of the Inspector's visit has on their own lives

  -> "We were having a nice little family celebration tonight. And a nasty mess you've made of it now haven't you?"
• contrast between each character emphasises their views to the audience
• Eva Smith never appears on stage, the audience's perspective of her is altered by the Birlings classist remarks and personal bias -> audience must decide what is unreasonable and untrue.
• Mr Birling is part of the nouveah riche - made his own money rather than inheriting it

  -> expects to be treated differently by the inspector because of his social class

  -> "If you dont come down sharply on some of these people, they'd soon be for the earth" - shows his attitude towards the working class