capitalism vs socialism

• Priestley's main intention in 'An Inspector Calls' was to explore the theme of capitalism vs. socialism, with the Birlings representing the prospering capitalists and the Inspector acting as Priestley's socialist mouthpiece
• Capitalism is an economic system where factors of production are owned and controlled by private groups or individuals, with a motto of "Greed is good" and rewards based on wealth rather than contribution
• Socialism, on the other hand, is where factors of production are owned equally by everyone in society, focusing on usefulness to people and rewarding individuals based on their contributions
• In 1912, the Liberal Party in Britain supported laissez-faire economics ideal for capitalism, while the Labour Party in 1945 brought socialist values and proposals into government
• Mr. Birling in 'An Inspector Calls' symbolizes a capitalist businessman, driven by greed and money, reflecting the darker side of capitalism and its exploitation of others
• Mr. Birling's interactions in the play highlight his capitalist greed, viewing life through business contexts and prioritizing profits over workers' interests
• Priestley uses Mr. Birling to reflect capitalism's arrogance and dominance, portraying him as self-assured and oblivious to the failings of the capitalist system
• Mr Birling's admiration for the Titanic as a symbol of Capitalism's success is contrasted by Priestley's portrayal of the Titanic's sinking as a critique of the fatal flaws within the economic system of capitalism
• Priestley exposes how Capitalism discourages people from looking after one another through Mr Birling's mantra that "a man has to make his own way - has to look after himself" and his refusal to accept any responsibility, associating both perspectives with Capitalism
• Capitalism, centered around private ownership, promotes a vision of the self-made man like Mr Birling, but Priestley shows how this leads to selfishness and a lack of compassion for others, as seen in Eva's story where people are left behind
• Competition between businesses in Capitalism is shown as destructive, with Mr Birling refusing a small wage raise for workers to maintain high profits and low prices, highlighting how competitiveness stops people from making allowances for others or considering anything other than profit margins
• Mr Birling's defensive and hostile response to the Inspector's questions reflects how Capitalism makes people secretive and resistant to scrutiny, with him justifying his decisions based on profit margins and viewing workers as liabilities
• The Inspector in the play symbolizes Socialist ideology, acting for the good of others, holding the Birlings accountable for their actions, and challenging Capitalism to be responsible for the harm it causes
• The Inspector's message emphasizes the interconnectedness of society, contrasting the Birlings' beliefs about individualism, showing how everyone and everything is connected and how actions can have far-reaching consequences
• Priestley's play "An Inspector Calls" explores the theme of responsibility being shared among people and the human desire to belong in a community
• The play alludes to the divided, bleak state of the country after the war, proposing a way to move past the horrors of war and come together as a country to combat them, presenting the ideals of Socialism as a solution to conflict
• The Inspector's parting monologue emphasizes Socialist ideals of community and provision of greater social needs, advocating for community and equality, both aspects of Socialism
• The metaphor of "one body" in the play emphasizes how nothing happens in isolation, linking to the idea that society benefits the most when everyone is contributing and receiving
• The Inspector's message about conflict and the World Wars being the result of choosing Capitalism over Socialism portrays him almost like a prophet, warning the characters of the consequences of their actions
• The Inspector's visit in the play also serves to condemn Capitalism and the actions of those who support it
• The Inspector implies that the Birlings, and all Capitalists, were responsible for taking "the earth" and making a "nasty mess" of Eva's life, showing how extreme Capitalism's destruction and greed can be
• The Inspector gives a voice to Eva Smith and her struggles, highlighting how poverty of others is commercialized by Capitalism, suggesting that poverty and unemployment aren't solved by authorities because they are important parts of their business models
• The Inspector tells Mr. Birling that Eva's death is a consequence of his actions, symbolizing how greed and stinginess came before human kindness in Capitalist society
• Mrs. Birling's character in the play symbolizes classism and gatekeeping, showing how Capitalism encouraged limiting others' access to resources
• Mrs. Birling's judgment of Eva's claim based on whether she deserved the money reflects how even charity work was impacted by Capitalism's money-oriented objectification of people
• Priestley suggests that successful Capitalists trapped people in poverty to remove competitors from the market and keep the wealth for themselves
• Eva Smith represents the "Labour" side of the "Capital versus Labour agitations," exploited and abused by the Capitalist system, never rewarded for her hard work but punished for demanding recognition
• Eva Smith is portrayed as a disposable piece in the Capitalist machinery, useful and valuable only as long as she is providing labor
• Eva's experience in Mr Birling's factory encapsulates the Capitalist mindset where workers are seen as an unwanted liability
• Mr Birling refused to give his workers more money after their holidays, leading them to go on strike
• The strike at the Birling factory may allude to the coal strike of 1912, conveying the unrest and dissatisfaction workers felt due to how they were treated by their employers
• Eva, as a "ringleader" of the strike, symbolizes the disillusionment experienced by the "Labour" side of the argument
• Priestley shows how resistance and strikes were discouraged, with workers being punished for speaking out, illustrating how Capitalism demonized and disarmed workers
• Capitalism results in poverty, income inequality, and power imbalances, hindering social mobility
• The Inspector highlights how Eva's low wages forced her to work excessively, showing the cycle of poverty and the impossibility for her to improve her circumstances on her own
• Priestley emphasizes the isolating impacts of poverty, illustrating its destructive emotional, mental, and physical strains
• The play "An Inspector Calls" is set in an industrial city during the height of laissez-faire economics, depicting the epitome of Capitalist society
• Before the Inspector arrives, Mr Birling is portrayed as the most powerful character, symbolizing the dominance of Capitalism in society
• The Inspector's arrival shifts the power dynamics, symbolizing Socialism's triumph over Capitalism in the play
• Mr Birling's derogatory views of Socialism and his insults towards the Inspector suggest his insecurity and need to feel powerful in a changing dynamic