An Inspector Calls

• “a man has to look after himself and his own” - Mr Birling

  This statement, said by Birling, immediately summons the Inspector, interrupting him- like an incantation. <- this is Priestley’s portrayal of a supernatural (Inspector Goule- phonetically similar to ghoul which is a supernatural creature) reaction to Birling’s selfishness and lack of social responsibility.
• Thesis plan

  Priestley has made the post-war play ‘An Inspector Calls’ to promote socialism, highlight the lack of social responsibility and that it is vital for an equal and just community (taking care of the working class), criticise the exploitation of women- especially of the working class, and spread his anti-war ideas.
• “they’re not cheap labour, they’re people” sheila.

  Priestley uses Sheila as a mouthpiece to reinforce social responsibility, accountability and present socialism.

  The repetition of the pronoun ‘they’re’ explains to the audience that they are people too and shouldn’t be dehumanised or treated differently due to their status.
• Sheila says “I couldn’t be sorry for her.”

  This can be portraying Sheila as jealous and spiteful but can also be conveying a feminist message, that women should rely on their husbands (like many women of the Edwardian era), as Sheila won’t feel remorse for forcing Eva to be fired, as Eva can easily get a husband- due to her good looks- that can support her.
• sheila describes gerald as a “fairy prince”

  this can be her sarcastically mocking him, conveying Priestley’s thoughts on exploitation of women of working classes, as although on the surface it may appear that Gerald wanted to help Eva, deep down, Gerald can be presented as a machiavellian man, who saw an easy opportunity in exploiting a helpless woman, and took it.
• “girls of that class” (mrs birling)

  emphasises mrs birlings prejudice towards women of lower classes. the noun ‘girl’ connotes to young female children, which depicts mrs birling as belittling eva, although she is a grown and pregnant woman. this helps mrs birling to deny eva charity without feeling guilt (“i did nothing wrong.”)
• “millions of eva smiths and john smiths” goole

  goole highlights the need of change (of the upper class) for a good future, for everyone. Priestley uses goole as a mouthpiece to promote socialism, and a fight for equality.
• “a chap easily turns nasty.” eric

  euphemism for the sexual violence and exploitation from the upper class, although eric does not admit it as he does not want to acknowledge his disgrace in society. also links to eva’s death (swallowing disinfectant, burning her ‘insides out’), highlighting the lack of voice that women of lower classes had, and that suicide was the only option for them to rid any thoughts/actions/memories from them.
• “fire, blood and anguish.” inspector goole

  a semantic field of violence. this highlights the consequences of not change and that the only hope is the younger generations. this also projects the inspector’s omniscience as this lexical phrase can connote to war, although the birlings do not believe it due to stubbornness- Priestley’s criticism of the upper class- (“the Germans don’t want war.”)