an inspector calls - social resposibility

Question 1

” a man has to make his own way-has to look after himself- and his family too” refers socialists as “cranks” and “ as if we are all mixed up together like bees in a hive” birling - act 1

Answer 1

prieslty uses mr birlings businessman persona to associate older generations with selfishness and right-wing conservatism. his toast and lecture to eric and Gerald are introduced at the start of the play to esablish the capitaslist ideologies of the family to the audience

suggests how the older generation focused on self preservation and privacy rather than community.

he uses derogatory language by mocking socialists calling them “cranks” and spewing “nonsense”

“bees in a hive” is a metaphor priestly uses as a way to potray a capitalsit man (mr birling) complaing about socialist ideology. further suggest how mr birling views how rigid the upper class and lower class divide really is

suggest how mr birling did not respect socialism as a valid poltical system and so mr birling is withdrawing his responsibilty in society to be a man in business

Question 2

mrs birling describes her slef as a “prominent member” and has her and her charity has “done a great deal of useful work in helping deserving cases” - mrs birling - act 2

Answer 2

mrs has a duty to care to care for those to come to her charity organisation.However she blatantly neglects her responsibility. Priestly conveys how’s all institutions that are suppsoed to help others are intriniscally evil.

the semantic feild of virtue sugests her charity work brings her a false sense of moral accomplishment.
she enjoys the recognition she gets but doesnt actually care for those who come to her (eva smith) as she call Eva as “girls of that sort”
the adjective “deserving” foreshadows her prejudice and harsh judgement.

prieslty has argued that institutions of care are run by the uppercases, who despise the poor and care for only their own status , meaning the lower classes will never get help the need . mrs birlings refusal to take responsibility suggests she is insincere and callous as the purpos eof the charity is to be an organistation that “ women in distress can appeal for help” but mrs briling refues leading to evas’s death/

Question 3

“how could i know what would happen afterwards” “it didn’t seem anything terrible at the time”- act 1 -sheila

Answer 3

protrays her as an example of how. people fail to consider the consequences of their actions.
this line conveys how people are unable to predict the significance of their actions. this means they must act responsibily and being mindful of what they do.

it is only after sheila learns evas death can she realise the extent of what she caused.priestly illustrates how the upperclasses have the luxury of behaving however they wish and living in ignorance of the consequences, while the lower classes are left to cope with the aftermath in silence. this could be a criticism of the government for enablng tragedy by not forseeing it, such as by not setting up a welfare state.

Question 4

” either theres a dead girl or there isn’t” - act 3 - Gerald

Answer 4

geralds theories about the inspector and eva allow him and their parents to excuse themsleves from the situtation . this is becuase so they dont face legal action. and her death is the only thing tying them to their actions.

this conveys geralds guilt and the urgency of the situation dpends on her death.
this oversimplifies the nuances of social responsibility . And the straightforward parallel phrase “ or there isn’t” suggest, of hse isn’t dead then eeryhting is fine for gerlad and the birlings

Question 5

“we are members of one body” - act 3 - inspector

Answer 5

shows how everyone is connected on a deep level where society is the result of everyones combined actions

by staying “we don’t live alone”, prieslty presents a moral duty to look after others ,he alludes to how ignoring this is not only selfish but also delusional.

inspector stating how they’re “ are millions and millions and millions of eva smiths and john smiths still left with us, with their lives .ther hopes and fears ,their suffering and chance of happiness, all intertwined with our lives”
this semantic feild of connection dismmises all the societal divisions , including class and wealth that people such as the birlings used to avoid social responsibilty. priesltly shows that ultimatley we are all the same. as shared responsibilty is the inevitable outcomeof living side by side