Social class

• How does social class influence the events in the play?


  Social class influences a lot of what happens in the play.
• What was the state of class division in Britain in 1912?

  Class divided Britain, with wealthy land and factory owners and impoverished workers.
• How does the Birlings' treatment of Eva Smith reflect their social class?

  The Birlings' treatment of Eva is a result of their upper-class status and her working-class background.
• What effect did the World Wars have on the British class system?

  The World Wars dismantled the British class system and brought people together.
• What was a consequence of rationing during the World Wars?

  Rationing meant different classes had to live similar lifestyles regardless of wealth.
• What does Priestley want to emphasize about class inequality?

  Priestley wanted to emphasize that class inequality still existed despite the changes brought by the wars.
• How does Priestley portray the attitudes of the upper class towards the working class?

  The upper classes scorned and mocked their working-class peers, showing ingrained prejudices.
• What message does Priestley convey by revealing the destructive impact of class hierarchy in 1912?

  Priestley encourages 1940s society to move towards social equality instead of returning to old ways.

  
• How are the Birlings described at the beginning of the play?

  The upper-class Birlings initially live in blissful ignorance of others’ suffering.
• What does the lighting described as “pink and intimate” symbolize?

  It symbolizes the Birlings’ optimistic, rose-tinted perspective.
• How does the atmosphere created by the lighting affect the audience's perception?

  The audience is forced to see life through the same lens as the Birlings, feeling their complacency.
• What does Priestley imply about the upper classes' conscience?

  Priestley implies that the upper classes lack a conscience regarding the cost of their happiness to others.
• How does Priestley emphasize the divide between the rich and poor?

  Priestley uses the play to emphasize the divide between the rich and poor through character experiences.
• What does Priestley show about social class alienation in the play?

  Priestley shows that social class alienates the two groups, leading to a lack of interaction.
• How many working-class characters are seen on stage?

  We only ever see one working-class character on stage.
• Why does Priestley argue that the upper classes maintain the class system?

  Priestley argues that the upper classes maintain the class system because it benefits them.
• What does Mr Birling overlook in his claims about prosperity?

  Mr Birling overlooks the poverty, disease, and physical labor endured by the lower classes.
• What does Priestley suggest about the relationship between success and class?

  Priestley suggests that one group's success does not mean success for all, highlighting class disparities.
• How do the Birlings react to the Inspector's visit?

  The Birlings fixate on the impact the Inspector’s visit has on their own lives, dismissing lower-class struggles.
• What does Mr Birling's complaint about the Inspector reveal?

  Mr Birling's complaint reveals his selfishness and prioritization of his own troubles over Eva's death.
• How does the juxtaposition of Mr Birling's and the Inspector's statements emphasize class differences?

  The juxtaposition emphasizes how Mr Birling's concerns are petty compared to the tragedy of Eva's death.
• What does Eva Smith symbolize?

  Eva Smith is symbolic of the lower classes as a whole.
• How does the audience's perspective of Eva Smith change throughout the play?

  The audience's perspective of Eva is altered by the Birlings’ classist remarks and personal bias.
• What does Priestley show about the influence of the upper classes on the narrative surrounding the working classes?

  Priestley shows how easy it is for the upper classes to influence the narrative surrounding the working classes.

  
• What is Mr Birling's social status?

  Mr Birling is a member of the nouveau riche.
• How does Mr Birling's concern about social class manifest in his character?

  Mr Birling is most concerned about his social class and wants to climb the social ladder.
• What does Mr Birling's career history reveal about his character?

  Mr Birling's career history reveals his desire to boast about his power and respectability.
• How does Mr Birling expect to be treated by the Inspector?

  Mr Birling expects to be treated differently by the Inspector because he is a public man.
• What does the Inspector's reminder to Mr Birling about responsibilities imply?

  The Inspector's reminder implies that Mr Birling and other public men have been neglecting their duties.
• What does Mr Birling's statement about the lower classes reveal about his views?

  Mr Birling believes it is his obligation to put the lower classes in their place.
• How does Priestley depict the upper classes' view of the lower classes' attempts to stand up for themselves?

  Priestley shows that the upper classes viewed attempts by the lower classes to stand up for themselves as outrageous and disrespectful.

  
• What is Gerald Croft's social background?

  Gerald Croft comes from a family that is of a higher class than the Birlings.
• How does the concept of 'old money' differ from 'nouveau riche' in the play?

  'Old money' refers to families that have been wealthy for generations, while 'nouveau riche' refers to those who made their own money.
• What tensions arise from the differences between Mr Birling and Gerald Croft?

  The tensions arise from the class differences, with Mr Birling being nouveau riche and Gerald coming from old money.
• Why does Mr Birling want Gerald and Sheila to marry?

  Mr Birling wants them to marry to help him climb the social ladder and grow his business.
• How does Mr Birling's ulterior motive become evident in his interactions with Gerald?

  Mr Birling's ulterior motive is revealed when he tries to impress Gerald for his own business prospects.
• What does Mr Birling's respect for the Crofts indicate about his character?

  Mr Birling respects the Crofts as a more elite family and wants to please them.
• How does Priestley portray the impact of social class on personal relationships?

  Priestley implies that social class makes people selfish and motivated by opportunities to improve their social position.

  
• What does Lady Croft's disapproval of Gerald's engagement to Sheila reveal?

  Lady Croft's disapproval reveals the importance of social class in their family values.
• How does Mr Birling justify Lady Croft's view on Sheila?

  Mr Birling justifies Lady Croft's view by stating that Sheila comes from an old country family, making it natural for her to be disapproved of.