Why is responsibility such a significant theme in An Inspector Calls?
In An Inspector Calls, the central theme is responsibility. Priestley uses the Inspector as a representative to voice his opinions on the main theme and the idea of socialism. Throughout the play, he presents each character with a role of responsibility and tries to make them aware, through the Inspector, that they are all guilty of Eva's death. The Inspector wants The Birlings to share their responsibility; Priestley's focus throughout the play was to promote this idea of socialism and obligation. He is trying to voice to the audience that we all have a collective responsibility. In 1912 there was no welfare in Britain. Lower class citizens relied upon charities and these …show more content…
J.B. Priestley wanted to show that the upper class are not aware of their easy lives and how this relies majorly on the challenging work of the lower class. He also suggests that status can affect one's views and thoughts on certain scenarios. 'A girl of that sort,' Mrs. Birling's snobbish behavior represents an older, ignorant capitalist who was part of a society that was responsible for the inequality and injustice. 'Of that sort' suggests that Eva is looked down upon purely because of her class. It sends a message to the audience that the lower class were used whenever the upper class pleased and were not treated as human beings. He wanted them to understand that it was these sorts of capitalist views that would later lead to the younger generation suffering in 'blood and fire and …show more content…
Those who do not to look after the lower class will ‘be taught in fire and blood and anguish.’ There are several meanings to this line. Firstly, ‘fire’ has connotations of hell. This suggests the Birlings, and by extension the ruling class, will suffer for their ‘sins’ against the proletariat in the afterlife. Secondly, the term ‘blood and anguish’ may imply the Birlings will suffer through social revolution, with the poor rising up against its capitalist exploiters. Finally, Goole’s line may refer to World War 2, when Britain was compelled to put aside class conflict to defeat Hitler. Either in this life or the next life, then, Priestley asserts the need for the Birlings to take responsibility for the plight of the poor in order to avoid pain
In An Inspector Calls, the central theme is responsibility. Priestley uses the Inspector as a representative to voice his opinions on the main theme and the idea of socialism. Throughout the play, he presents each character with a role of responsibility and tries to make them aware, through the Inspector, that they are all guilty of Eva's death. The Inspector wants The Birlings to share their responsibility; Priestley's focus throughout the play was to promote this idea of socialism and obligation. He is trying to voice to the audience that we all have a collective responsibility. In 1912 there was no welfare in Britain. Lower class citizens relied upon charities and these …show more content…
J.B. Priestley wanted to show that the upper class are not aware of their easy lives and how this relies majorly on the challenging work of the lower class. He also suggests that status can affect one's views and thoughts on certain scenarios. 'A girl of that sort,' Mrs. Birling's snobbish behavior represents an older, ignorant capitalist who was part of a society that was responsible for the inequality and injustice. 'Of that sort' suggests that Eva is looked down upon purely because of her class. It sends a message to the audience that the lower class were used whenever the upper class pleased and were not treated as human beings. He wanted them to understand that it was these sorts of capitalist views that would later lead to the younger generation suffering in 'blood and fire and …show more content…
Those who do not to look after the lower class will ‘be taught in fire and blood and anguish.’ There are several meanings to this line. Firstly, ‘fire’ has connotations of hell. This suggests the Birlings, and by extension the ruling class, will suffer for their ‘sins’ against the proletariat in the afterlife. Secondly, the term ‘blood and anguish’ may imply the Birlings will suffer through social revolution, with the poor rising up against its capitalist exploiters. Finally, Goole’s line may refer to World War 2, when Britain was compelled to put aside class conflict to defeat Hitler. Either in this life or the next life, then, Priestley asserts the need for the Birlings to take responsibility for the plight of the poor in order to avoid pain