Theme - Social Responsibility

• What is the main theme of 'An Inspector Calls'?

  Social responsibility
• What does the Inspector encourage the Birlings to do?

  To be accountable for their actions and take responsibility for others
• Who does the character Eva Smith represent in the play?

  Vulnerable individuals mistreated through no fault of their own
• What does Priestley suggest about the consequences of actions?

  All actions have consequences and it is impossible to live in isolation
• How does Priestley suggest society benefits from individuals taking responsibility for others?


  By looking after others, society as a whole will benefit
• What does the play condemn regarding those in power?

  It condemns them for not protecting the people they were supposed to and leading the country into war
• What political direction was society taking in the 1940s after the war?

  Socialist direction
• How does Mr Birling represent the antithesis of Priestley’s message on social responsibility?


  He only cares about himself and never accepts responsibility
• What does Mr Birling's character reveal about Capitalist ideologies?

  His lack of compassion and responsibility are tied to his class and Capitalist ideologies
• What does Mr Birling's statement about looking after oneself reveal about his beliefs?


  He believes men are born with an obligation to themselves alone
• How does Mr Birling react to the idea of shared responsibility?


  He expresses intolerance and finds it preposterous
• What does the simile "like bees in a hive" imply about Mr Birling's view on social responsibility?

  He views social responsibility as primitive and demeaning
• How does Mr Birling's language reflect his character?

  His harsh and insensitive language makes him appear heartless
• What does Priestley imply about Capitalists through Mr Birling's interest in money?

  Capitalists feel they have a responsibility to make profit but not to their workers
• What does Mr Birling imply when he says, "It’s my duty to keep labour costs down"?

  He implies his business pursuits require him to exploit his workers
• How does Mr Birling's motto about family loyalty reflect his priorities?

  It shows he prioritizes himself over his duty to others
• What does Mr Birling's refusal to accept blame reveal about his character?

  It reveals his arrogance and disrespect for others
• How does Mr Birling's use of the phrase "wretched girl" reflect his attitude towards Eva Smith?

  It reveals his lack of compassion and suggests he won't take responsibility
• What does the modal verb "can’t" suggest about Mr Birling's nature when he says, "I can’t accept any responsibility"?


  It suggests accepting blame goes against his nature
• How does Mrs Birling personify the upper classes' contempt towards the poor?

  She refuses to accept any blame and is committed to her own innocence
• What does Mrs Birling's condemnation of the anonymous father of Eva's unborn child reveal about her character?

  It shows her superficial and hypocritical sense of duty
• How does Mrs Birling's reaction change when she discovers Eric is responsible?

  She instantly regrets her previous demands and retracts them
• What does the adverb "naturally" imply about Mrs Birling's view of her social standing?

  It implies she believes she is automatically above suspicion
• How does Priestley challenge the upper classes' assumption of their own innocence?

  By revealing Mrs Birling's involvement in Eva's situation
• What is the most obvious theme in 'An Inspector Calls'?

  Social responsibility
• What does the Inspector encourage the Birlings to do?

  The Inspector encourages the Birlings to be accountable for their actions and take responsibility for others
• What does Priestley suggest will happen if people are mindful of their actions and look after others?

  Priestley suggests that society as a whole will benefit
• What does Priestley use the theme of social responsibility to advocate for?

  Priestley uses the theme of social responsibility to advocate for a Welfare State
• What does Mr Birling represent the antithesis of?

  Mr Birling represents the antithesis of Priestley's message on social responsibility
• What does Priestley suggest Mr Birling's lack of compassion and responsibility are tied to?

  Priestley suggests Mr Birling's lack of compassion and responsibility are tied to his class and Capitalist ideologies
• What does Mr Birling say about the idea of shared responsibility?

  Mr Birling says "The way some of these cranks talk and write now, you'd think everybody has to look after everybody else, as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive - community and all that nonsense."
• What does Priestley imply about Capitalists' sense of responsibility through Mr Birling's statement about protecting the interests of Capital?

  Priestley implies Capitalists feel they have a responsibility to make profit but not a responsibility to their workers
• What does Mr Birling say is his duty regarding labor costs?

  Mr Birling says "It's my duty to keep labour costs down"
• What is Mr Birling's motto about family loyalty?

  "A man has to make his own way - has to look after himself - and his family too"
• What does the repetition of "a man has to" in Mr Birling's motto reveal?

  The repetition reveals that Mr Birling believes men are born with an obligation to themselves alone
• What does Mr Birling say about the link between Eva's suicide and his actions?

  Mr Birling declares "Obviously it has nothing whatever to do with the wretched girl's suicide"
• What does Priestley imply about Mr Birling's interpretation of responsibility?

  Priestley implies Mr Birling's interpretation of responsibility is simplistic and self-serving, allowing him to excuse himself of blame
• What does Mr Birling say he "can't accept" regarding responsibility?

  Mr Birling says "I can't accept any responsibility"
• What does Priestley suggest the words "excuse", "unfortunately", and "that's all" used by Mr Birling convey?

  Priestley suggests these words convey Mr Birling's desperation to excuse himself of blame, his heartlessness, and his trivializing of the lower classes' hardships
• What does Priestley use Mrs Birling to personify?

  Priestley uses Mrs Birling to personify the upper classes' contempt towards the poor and authorities' neglect of those in need