AIC_ESSAY PLANS

Cards (10)

  • capitalism v socialism

    1) MRS BIRLING: she is used by Priestly to vilify immorality of capitalists. She personifies capitalist ideologies through her favouring of profits over people, despite her outward appearance of philanthropy. / "I'll consider I did my duty." "if I was, what business is it of yours?"
    2) SHEILA: she is freed by socialism, since she begins to be freed from capitalism (her family) as a result of her introduction of the Inspector the personification of socialism. / "I would never, never do it again to anybody," "of fire and blood and anguish" - she is the Inspector's proxy, she is relaying the Inspector's teachings to her family.
    3) INSPECTOR: Inspector is Priestley's mouthpiece advocating for social responsibility and highlighting socialism as a solution for social equality. / "public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges," "We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other."
  • Mrs Birling

    1) SOCIAL CLASS
    she is a representative of social class, she is a marionette for the upper class of society. She always tries to uphold the exploitative nature of society. / "girls of that class," "she was claiming elaborate fine feelings."
    2) OLDER V YOUNGER
    she is a microcosm (something small representing something larger) of the obdurate (stubborn) older generation. Her beliefs about responsibility and morality do not change. Juxtaposition with younger gen. / "you're quite wrong suppose I shall regret what I did." "
    3) CAPITALISM
    she is used by Priestly to vilify immorality of capitalists. She personifies capitalist ideologies through her favouring of profits over people, despite her outward appearance of philanthropy. / "I'll consider I did my duty." "if I was, what business is it of yours?"
  • Eva
    Eva
    1) representative of the working class - going from job to job / advocates for workers' rights - "she was the ringleader." Set against the comfortable setting of the Birlings: "dingy backroom" vs "champagne and cigars". LINK TO NEXT POINT: her voicelessness and powerlessness is shown through the fact that she does not have any dialogue and is only talked about, also showing her powerlessness as a woman. Mirrors how none of the characters knew her as a person, only as a worker, peasant, or mistress.
    2) she is an example of someone who socialism saved (her memory) - the reason her story is being told is because of the Inspector, who is a representative of socialism. "A nice little promising life there, I thought, and a nasty mess someone's made of it." Shows that socialism supports the working class. She is very much portrayed as the victim with the "capitalists" being the one abusing her; shows Priestley's views on capitalism.
    3) she is the driving force of the play, she showcases the Birlings' prejudice - all the events happen because of her. She has a permanent effect of the Birlings, "none of you seemed to have learned anything," / "girls of that sort." Leads to the Inspector's ending speech "Millions and millions of Eva Smith."
  • social responsibility

    1) Birlings reject it in favour of profit and social advancement - Mrs B personifies capitalist ideologies through her favouring of profits over people, despite her outward appearance of philanthropy / both refuse social responsibility. ""a man has to mind his business and look after himself and his own."
    2) Sheila quickly transforms as she learns responsibility - it is powerful, transformative and she is the voice of the future - a representation of socialism -> shows that anyone is capable of change, and that the younger generations are the voices of the future. / also touched on by Eric's character "I'm absolutely ashamed of you." [Mrs Birling] "Well, I don't blame you. But don't forget, I'm ashamed of both of you as well."
    3) Inspector is Priestley's mouthpiece advocating for social responsibility and highlighting socialism as a solution for social equality. / "public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges," "We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other."
  • power
    1) class -> abuse economic and social power, eg Mr Birling sacking Eva, trade unions weren't happening yet and workers had no rights, and Mrs Birling.
    2) men using their power over vulnerable women -> Gerald "fairy prince," "she knew it couldn't last, hadn't expected it to last." and Eric "she was pretty and a good sport." "said I didn't love her, and all that."
    3) power and omniscience of Inspector is used for justice -> seen also by Sheila's use of her voice/power to be the Inspector's proxy.
  • Gerald
    1) he is a representation of capitalism, a privileged man who shares Mr Birling's values and beliefs - "I believe you're right, sir."
    2) he exploits Eva to benefit his own feelings of pride and superiority as an upper class Edwardian man. "fairy prince," "she knew it wouldn't last."
    3) demonstrates the possible future society we want to avoid, he fails to observe the Inspector's teachings, like the ignorant older gen.
  • Sheila
    1) starts as immature, naïve and submissive to her father -> "Yes, daddy." doesn't get a say in the conversation, her marriage is just a business deal.
    2) changes thanks to the inspector, who is a representation of socialism -> shows that anyone is capable of change, and that the younger generations are the voices of the future.
    3) she takes on a new critical and dominant tone -> highlights her new moral code. This powerful voice reflects Priestley's radical choice of a young woman to embody his ideal future society.
  • Mr Birling

    1) FLAWED - Flawed and misled character, immediately established as having incorrect ideologies "unsinkable... absolutely unsinkable" "the Germans don't want war" / omniscient 1946 audience would view Birling as a fool and his opinions instantly devalued. Priestley uses him to show not only is he wrong about the Titanic or war but also his political stance in terms of capitalism/socialism
    2) CAPITALISM - Selfish character, represents self-serving nature of capitalism repeats "a man has to make his own way in the world", views idea of community as "nonsense". Antithesis of the socialism seen in the Inspector "there are millions and millions and millions of Eva and John Smiths",
    3) SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY - Unable to change and accept social responsibility. Inspector ties everyone to Eva's death, Birling is incapable to accept that his actions combine with others to make for a universal consequence. He claims "I can't accept any responsibility" mirroring his ignorance to the Inspector's message. He reflects how the older generations are fixed in their mindset and slow to change
  • Inspector
    1) Voice box for Priestley "there are millions and millions and millions of Eva and John Smiths", imperative we take social responsibility (political shift to socialism), "we are members of one body" society is an interdependent system, needs to be a change in society
    2) As he represents socialist views, represents antithesis to Mr Birling whose capitalist ideals "a man has to make his own way in this world" dramatic irony mirrors his errors "unsinkable....absolutely unsinkable" "the Germans don't want war" / omniscient 1946 audience would see Birling as a fool, early placement of this statement establishes him as deeply mistaken character
    3) Catalyst for change - gives voice to voiceless / seen most obviously through Sheila "pretty and pleased with life" and changes from "mummy" to "mother", also used to present a generational divide as older generations are fixed in their views vs the younger gen.
  • social class - as a morality play

    1) Gerald and Mr Birling as capitalist symbols - "what happened to her then... may have driven her to suicide" - ties everyone to her death. Upper class/capitalists shouldn't be above the law, or free to oppress the lower classes, but they continue to do so. / Mrs Birling & Mr Birling is the epitome of class prejudice "girls of that class," "if you don't come down harshly on some of these people, they'd soon be asking for the Earth." - the hyperbole shows how upper classes are aware of the poor living standards for the poor, but still perpetuate the cycle of poverty.
    3) Sheila and Eric - highlight selfishness of young people of that class; also show change -> they are remorseful. Sheila's obliviousness "pretty and pleased with life", she is antithesis of Eva, and yet still becomes a socialist mouthpiece and proxy of the Inspector forms hope for younger generations. Both change, thanks to the inspector, who is a representation of socialism -> shows that anyone is capable of change, and that the younger generations are the voices of the future.
    4) the Inspector exposes the ignorance of the upper classes -> "pink and intimate" to "brighter and harder." / holds a mirror up to the character and us, had a message of revolt: "fire and blood and anguish." - WW2.