Social Class

• As if we were all mixed up like bees in a hive - a community of nonsense. (Mr Birling/Act 1)

  1. Zoomorphism: Mr Birling uses zoomorphism to characterize society, particularly the the lower class likening them to insignificant creatures like 'bees'
  2. Alternatively, his degradation and mockery of the collective notion of responsibility portrays this idea as animalistic and primal behavior only fit for 'bees'.
  3. The hyphen creates a theoretical pause in Birling's mind when he had to articulate the word 'community'.
• As if we were all mixed up like bees in a hive - a community of nonsense. (Mr Birling/Act 1)

  4. This highlights how he cannot verbalise this concept into words which demonstrates his physical repulsion towards responsibility.

  5. LINKING BACK TO THE QUESTION: Mr Birling is a microcosm for capitalist ideologies. He is vilified from the offset because he chooses materialism over [human relationships.] This makes us dislike Mr Birling and capitalism as a whole.
• 'But these girls aren't cheap labor - they're people' Act 1 / Sheila

  1. Sheila shift in tone: Here, there is a shift in Sheila's tone and her focus is particularly on 'girls.' This exposes Mr Birling's exploitation of capitalism.
  2. The lexis 'girls' creates innocence and vulnerability which emphasise how the imbued capitalists prey on the disadvantaged [girls.]
• 'But these girls aren't cheap labor - they're people' Act 1 / Sheila

  3. This revelation, is unimaginable for Sheila's sheltered past self. Therefore, it fuels her disgust as she views capitalist people as unscrupulous and dehumanizing.
• 'But these girls aren't cheap labor - they're people' Act 1 / Sheila

  4. LINKING BACK TO THE QUESTION: Act one's docile Sheila, who was cocooned in privilege, undergoes metamorphosis under the Inspector;s scrutiny. Sheila's infantile facade crumbles and she is highlighted as a champion for social justice as she begins to have a humanistic approach to the lower class.
• 'We are members of one body' Act 3 / Inspector

  1. Imagery of 'one': The imagery of 'one' serves as a poignant reminder of the profound interconnectedness that binds humanity together. It suggests how the Birling's must have a duty to fulfil their part, which is to take care of the community and members of society, despite the difference in social class.
  2. By realizing the interconnection, Priestley gives a message to the Birling's and the audience that society can strive to become a more empathetic, compassionate and socially aware society and not a segregated and hated one.
• 'Girls of that class -' Mrs Birling / Act 2

  1. Connotations of girl: The use of the diction 'girls' connote vulnerability and innocence which portrays her willingness to exploit vulnerability of society and social class for capitalist advancements.
  2. Demonstrative adjective of 'that' showcases how Mrs Birling sees Eva's class as an inferior and homogeneous group that all act the same.
• 'Girls of that class-' Act 2 / Mrs Birling

  3. Furthermore, it creates Mrs Birling to be an arrogant woman as she only operates by her social class and not herself. Therefore, Priestley could evoke how exploitation could lead to feelings of entrapment and confinement