wealth and materialism

• What is one of the main interests of the Birlings?

  Wealth
• How does Mr Birling's attitude towards wages reflect his character?

  He prioritizes profit over workers' welfare
• Who is described as a wealthy customer in the play?

  Sheila
• How does Gerald use money in relation to Eva?

  He supports her while she is his mistress
• What illegal action does Eric commit?

  He steals money
• What does Mrs Birling refuse to do for Eva?

  Give her money to help
• What does wealth bring to the Birlings?

  Power over others
• How does Priestley use the Inspector in the play?

  To change perceptions of the lower classes
• What does Priestley suggest about wealth and society?

  Wealth corrupts people and society
• What does materialism mean in the context of the play?

  Believing money and possessions are most important
• How does capitalism affect people's values according to Priestley?

  It leads to greed and materialism
• What does Priestley argue about emotional intelligence in wealthy individuals?

  They lack emotional and moral intelligence
• How are the lower classes treated in the play?

  They are dehumanized and objectified
• What historical context influenced Priestley's writing?

  Two World Wars and the Great Depression
• What does Priestley encourage his audience to value?

  Love and friendship over wealth
• How do wealth and materialism manifest in the Birlings' lives?

  • Wealth influences all interactions
  • Characters surround themselves with signs of money
  • They prioritize material possessions over emotional connections
• What does the setting of the play represent?

  Upper class materialism
• How does the description of the Birlings' house reflect their social status?

  It indicates their excessive wealth and comfort
• What does the term "not cosy and homelike" imply about the Birlings' home?

  It suggests a lack of emotional connection
• What does Sheila's excitement over her engagement ring reveal?

  She values material possessions over love
• How does Mr Birling's greed affect his workers?

  He refuses to raise their wages
• What does the metaphor "heavy price" signify in the play?

  It highlights the consequences of capitalist greed
• How do the upper-class men view Eva's poverty?

  They believe money can solve everything
• What does Priestley imply about capitalism's effect on human relationships?

  It reduces people to objects that can be bought
• What lesson does Priestley want his audience to learn?

  To value emotional connection over wealth
• What does the Inspector reveal about the Birlings' actions?

  They contributed to Eva's death
• How does the setting change as the play progresses?

  It becomes more intimidating and grotesque
• What does the continuity of the setting suggest about the elder Birlings?

  They refuse to learn or change
• What does the Inspector's departure signify for the Birlings?

  They return to their comforts without change
• How does the Inspector's role affect the Birlings' perception of their actions?

  He reveals their greed's consequences
• What does the contrast between the Birlings' luxury and Eva's death illustrate?

  Wealth allows them to ignore suffering
• What does the Inspector remind Mr Birling about Eva's wage request?

  She wanted twenty-five shillings a week
• How does Priestley depict the consequences of wealth on the Birlings' humanity?

  It blinds them to others' needs
• What does Priestley suggest about the relationship between wealth and social responsibility?

  Wealth leads to neglect of social duties
• How do the Birlings' actions reflect their values?

  They prioritize wealth over human life
• What does the Inspector's investigation reveal about the Birlings?

  They are complicit in Eva's suffering
• What does Priestley imply about the impact of wealth on personal relationships?

  It hinders emotional connections
• How does the play's setting contribute to its themes?

  It emphasizes the Birlings' materialism
• What does the Inspector's role symbolize in the play?

  Social conscience and moral responsibility
• What does the term "materialism" refer to in the context of the play?

  Believing possessions are most important