An Inspector Calls

• Priestly creates the inspector as the antithesis and foil to Mr. Birling to be didactic in the ways that society could improve. The inspector juxtaposes Mr. Birling as they both embody capitalism and socialism, respectively. This highlights Priestley’s personal beliefs that society could be improved if it shifted towards socialism. 
• The inspector breaks Mr. Birling’s egotistical dramatic monologue, where he expresses self-proclaimed omniscience that the “titanic is unsinkable.” The Inspector’s arrival causes Mr. Birling’s speeches to shorten dramatically “[cutting through massively].” This emulates how the introduction of socialism, which Priestly makes synonymous with morality, causes a reduction in egotistical and selfish individuals gaining power in society- key for its post-war improvement. 
• Capitalism is stagnant and repressive
• Conclusion= restate words from the question, 3 main points, answer the q, talk about relevance today. 
• Mr/mrs birling, sheila/eric, inspector 
• Mr birling has a sanctimonius nature 
• 3 points for extract and big q 
• The billings are members of the bourgeoisie
• Disenfranchised


  To remove someone of a privilege
• Emblematic = symbolic
• Indictment= heavy criticism
• An individualist is someone who believes we are solely responsible for ourselves
• Mrs Birling has been indoctrinated by the patriarchy
• A mouthpiece is a character who speaks for someone else
• "as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive Community and all that nonsense" (MB)


   Zoomorphism degrades lower classes and trivialises communityHyphen prompts a theatrical pause, reflecting his physical reaction. Noun nonsense further trivialises this. Microcosm Mr. Birlings villicies capitalism with a preference for materialism over human  relationships
• the famous younger generation who knows it all - . and they can’t even take a joke.


   Irony he derisively labels the younger generation, but ironically thinks the knows it all "unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable "nobody wants war in excepts some half civilised folk in the balkans
• I speak as a hard headed practical man of business (MB)
• Lower costs and higher prices (MB)
• I can’t accept any responsibility (MB)
• Public men… have responsibilities as well as privileges (MB)
• I’d give thousands (MB)
• Sheila, what an expression! Really the things you girls pick up these days (RB)
• I did my duty
• don’t suppose for a moment that we can understand why the girl committed suicide. Girls of that class-


  Girl connotes innocence and vulnerability, showcasing her willingness to exploit the vulnerable in society and rationalise it for capitalist advancement.Demonstrative adjective on 'that': dismisses them as an aggregate inferior and homogeneous group that all behave in the same way.Mrs. Birling is entirely governed by the arrogance of her social status - she can't even bring herself to specify Eva's social class
• He certainly didn't make me confess (RB)

  verb "confess" has connotations of crime, her denial of criminal acts and accountability comes effortlessly, reflecting the irresponsibility and immorality inherent to capitalist ideologies. imperativo verb "make" shows the power struggle between her and the inspector.This suggests that admitting responsibility would be conceding (admitting something is true) to the inspector, posing a threat to her status in the capitalist hierarchy - she is safeguarding her position within the societal structure dictated by capitalist ideologies.
• But these girls aren't cheap labour - they're people


  Girls connotes innocence and vulnerability- she's recognised how exploitative capitalists prey on the disadvantaged social classes. She is disgusted by the Inhumanity of her family. The Inspector's arrival frees her from the shackles of her oppressive privileged existence. She develops a humaistic outlook, valuing individuals over profit. This metamorphosis (change) symbolises the advancement of women's rights in 1945
• he's giving us the rope - so that we'll hang ourselves
• What he made me feel. Fire and blood and anguish

  Sheila serves as his proxy, exemplified by her precise emulation of the polysyndeton on "and". - she attempts to emphasise the eternal consequences of lacking social conscience. Sheila is now a moral compass to her family, showcasing her evolution towards empathy as her use of the personal pronoun "me" shows she now experiences genuine remorse. Her awareness extends beyond personal remorse, she has developed an understanding of the systemic consequences of capitalist ideologies on society as a whole
• She was pretty and a good sport (E)
• I did what I did. And mother did what she did. And the rest of you did what you did to her (E)
• But don't forget I'm ashamed of you as well yes both of you. Why shouldn't they try for higher wages? We try for the highest possible prices.


  Rhetorical question(hypophora): Eric is questioning the ethics behind his father's exploitative attitude towards the lower social classes- he deviates from the [half shy] presentation into the [assertive) one foreshadowed at the beginning. He exposes and questions the systemic bias that favour upper-class capitalists, leveraging a laissez-faire (minimal intervention) governmental stance. But don't forget i'm ashamed of you as well - yes both of you"
• We're respectable citizens and not criminals (G)


  Collective pronoun "we're": "we're" reinforces a segregative ideology, as Gerald employs it to unite the Birlings against perceived "criminals" - exposes aristocratic biases as fundamentally ignorant.Alliteration on 'citizens' and 'criminals': creates a sense of similarity, reflecting Priestley's portrayal of blurred lines between morality and criminality as one ascends the social hierarchy.
• She looked young and fresh and charming (G)
• Everything's all right now, Sheila [holds up the ring] what about this ring?


  subtly ridicules Gerald's pretentious demeanour, revealing how the wealthy often have biases that align only with their narrow worldview.Cyclical narrative is reflective of his unwillingness to change + desire to absolve himself from guilt. younger generation but shirks accountability, disappointing the audience with his character arc - his obstinate nature. He reverts to this symbol of traditional power and possession in order to reassert himself; he finds comfort in ingrained societal beliefs
• It's better to ask for the earth than take it


  Syntax on ask prior to "take" reflects the hierarchy for societal collective responsibility- we must "ask" and share resources, in contrast to the individualistic capitalist notion of "taking" for personal gain. 'take" carries connotations of stealing, a notion vehemently condemned in biblical teachings. Religion was the foundation of morality in the Edwardian era, capitalist ideals disregard these teachings. socialism is a return to society's moral foundations, emphasising communal values and collective responsibility over individualistic desire
• If men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught in fire and blood and anguish

  Polysyndeton (repetition of 'and'): reflects the perpetual torment awaiting those who shirk (avoid) their moral and civic responsibilities or it may allude to the Second World War, "anguish," symbolises humanity's failure to learn from past mistakes, leading to further "blood and anguish". Inspector could be portrayed as an agent of God through the hellish allusions. He is trying to bring the Birling's back to the foundation of morality - religion.