Theme - Capitalism v Socialism

• What was one of Priestley’s main intentions in writing ‘An Inspector Calls’?

  The theme of capitalism vs. socialism
• How does Priestley’s personal belief influence the play ‘An Inspector Calls’?

  Priestley was a socialist, which is reflected in the play's critique of capitalism
• Who do the Birlings represent in the play?

  The prospering capitalists in society
• What role does the Inspector play in ‘An Inspector Calls’?

  The Inspector acts as Priestley’s socialist mouthpiece, condemning capitalism and teaching socialist ideals
• What does the play suggest about the relationship between capitalism and socialism?

  It illustrates capitalism’s eventual fall to socialism, suggesting socialism is superior
• What is capitalism defined as?


  An economic system where the factors of production are owned and controlled by private groups or individuals
• What are the factors of production in capitalism?

  Capital goods, natural resources, and entrepreneurship
• What is one motto associated with capitalism?


  “Greed is good”
• How do business owners operate in a capitalist society?

  They want to keep sale prices low to attract customers and compete
• How are individuals rewarded in a capitalist society?

  According to their wealth, not contribution
• What is socialism defined as?

  A system where the factors of production are owned equally by everyone in society
• What does socialism prioritize in terms of resource use?

  The usefulness of resources to people
• What services would a socialist government provide?

  Education and health care
• How does socialism ensure care for those who can’t contribute?

  By providing support for the elderly and others in need
• What was socialism initially designed to do in the nineteenth century?

  Improve the standard of living for the working class
• What does an ideal socialist society eliminate?

  Poverty
• How does socialism prevent exploitation of labor?

  Everyone owns the means of production, so they cannot be exploited
• What political party was in power in Britain in 1912?

  The Liberal Party
• What economic approach did the Liberal Party support?

  Laissez-faire economics
• How does laissez-faire economics relate to capitalism?

  It gives power to the free market and private stakeholders
• Which political party was elected in the 1945 General Election?

  The Labour Party
• What did the Labour Party’s manifesto include?

  Many Socialist values and proposals
• What was the reason for the political change in Britain after World War II?

  The nation’s desire for social reform and recovery
• What was one of the greatest demands in Britain after the wars?

  A Welfare State
• What were Priestley's main intentions in writing 'An Inspector Calls'?

  Priestley's main intentions were to explore the themes of capitalism vs. socialism and social responsibility
• What political party was elected into government in the 1945 General Election?

  The Labour Party
• What is the key difference between capitalism and socialism in terms of the ownership of the factors of production?

  In capitalism, the factors of production are owned and controlled by private groups or individuals, while in socialism, the factors of production are owned equally by everyone in society
• What is the key difference between how people are rewarded in a capitalist system versus a socialist system?

  In a capitalist system, people are rewarded according to their wealth, not their contribution, while in a socialist system, people are rewarded based on how much they contribute
• What is the motto of capitalism?

  "Greed is good"
• How does a socialist government aim to improve the standard of living for the working class?

  Socialism was designed to improve the standard of living for the working class by providing services like education and healthcare, and ensuring everyone has equal access to profits and resources
• What are the examples of socialism within British society mentioned in the passage?

  The NHS, free education, and the benefits system
• What does Mr Birling represent in the play?

  Mr Birling represents the archetype of a capitalist businessman
• How does Priestley use Mr Birling to portray capitalist greed?

  Priestley shows how Mr Birling only views life through the context of business, identifying "rivals" and seeing Sheila's marriage as a business negotiation, and how his ultimate goal is to achieve "lower costs and higher prices"
• How does Priestley use the metaphor of the Titanic to reflect capitalism's arrogance and dominance?

  Priestley suggests that Mr Birling's admiration for the Titanic's unquestioned size and power mimics the capitalist's desire for such domination, but ultimately the Titanic wasn't "unsinkable", just as the economic system of capitalism has fatal flaws
• How does Priestley show that capitalism encourages selfishness and a lack of compassion for others?

  Priestley shows how capitalism's focus on private ownership and the mantra of the "self-made man" results in people being left behind, and how Mr Birling refuses to take responsibility for the suffering of others like Eva Smith, caring more about self-preservation and comfort
• How does Priestley use the example of the workers' strike to illustrate how capitalist competition is destructive?

  Priestley shows how Mr Birling refuses to give the workers a small raise because he needs to keep his profits high and prices low to remain a strong competitor, reducing the workers to statistics and viewing them as liabilities to be disposed of if they reduce profit
• What are the key differences between capitalism and socialism?

  • In capitalism, the factors of production are owned and controlled by private groups or individuals, while in socialism, the factors of production are owned equally by everyone in society.
  • In capitalism, people are rewarded according to their wealth, not their contribution, while in socialism, people are rewarded based on how much they contribute.
  • Capitalism is driven by the motto "Greed is good", while socialism aims to improve the standard of living for the working class.
• How does the play 'An Inspector Calls' explore the themes of capitalism vs. socialism?

  • The Birlings represent the prospering capitalists in society, while the Inspector acts as Priestley's socialist mouthpiece to condemn capitalism and teach socialist ideals.
  • The play illustrates capitalism's eventual fall to socialism, suggesting socialism is the superior, more beneficial, and more powerful political system.
  • Priestley uses Mr Birling to portray the greed, selfishness, and destructive competition inherent in capitalism, in contrast to the socialist values of social responsibility and concern for others.
• How does the political change in Britain from 1912 to 1945 reflect the themes of capitalism vs. socialism in 'An Inspector Calls'?

  • In 1912, the Liberal Party was in power, supporting laissez-faire economics ideal for capitalism.
  • In 1945, the Labour Party was elected in a landslide, with a manifesto of socialist values and proposals, reflecting the nation's desire for social reform after the World Wars.
  • This political change from a previously conservative country to one embracing socialist ideals is the backdrop for Priestley's exploration of capitalism vs. socialism in the play.
• How does Priestley use the character of Mr Birling to critique the capitalist system?

  • Mr Birling is portrayed as the archetype of a greedy, money-driven, and selfish capitalist businessman.
  • Priestley uses Mr Birling to illustrate the arrogance and dominance of capitalism, as well as its encouragement of selfishness and lack of compassion for others.
  • The play shows how Mr Birling's capitalist actions, such as refusing to raise workers' wages and taking no responsibility for their suffering, are destructive and harmful.