an inspectors calls - power Flashcards
” a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own” refers socialists as “cranks” and “ as if we are all mixed up together like bees in a hive”- mr birling - act 1
prieslty uses mr birlings businessman persona to associate power 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. These beliefs can comfort Mr birling as he is a wealthy man with a high social status
he uses derogatory language by mocking socialists calling them “cranks” and spewing “nonsense” which can further suggest that he belives that most socialsits are of a lower class as he viewed them to be inferior to him and and that political and social changes in society are barbaric
“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 and that him self and other wealthy members of sociaty are far more superior
Preislty suggests how upper class people did not respect socialism as a valid poltical system. presents them as cruel and narrow minded
“fairly large suburban house , belonging to a prosperous manufacturer” with “good solid furniture” - opening scene description - act 1
prieslty sets the play in the birlings home which is physical manifestation of upper class materialism.
There are “champagne glasses” a “port” and “cigar box” which are indications of the birlings excessive wealth
“fairly large” - describing the size of the house and “good” quality furniture show the birlings live in comfort , wanting nothing , The adverb “fairly” and adjective “prosperous” suggest they are climbing the social ladder
while the “substantial and heavily comfortable” home connotes luxury and decadence . Prieslty specifies it is “not cosy and homelike” .
The setting is unwelcoming , and may ven intimidate an audience which represents the untouchable position of the rich .
Moreover , as it is not “homelike”, priestly implies the family are missing emotional connection . They can fufill their material desires but their money cannot bring them emotional contentment .
Prieslty suggests tha the power of materialism prevents people from finding love and intimacy.
“isn’t it a beauty ? “ “ now i really feel engaged “ -act 1 - sheila
sheila’s excitement over her engagement ring
suggest the physical token of her engagement brings her more joy than the engagement does .
Her decleration “now i really feel engaged “ implies a material possession is needed for the engagemnt to be real .
The gift of the ring is the thing that connects her to gerald , rather than love .
Priestly presents the issues of a society that places too much importance on physical possessions that have been driven through power and greed as being an upperclass member.
Eric “insisted on giving her money to keep her going “ of money - act 3 - eric
gerald “allowed” her money over the summer and”inisted on a parting gift “ - gerald - act 2
Mr birling swears “ i’d give thousands - yes , thousands”
Priestly suggest how the rich think the lower class’s only weakness or hardship is their shortage of money .
when confronyed with eva’s poverty and hardship all three upper class men offer her money . It is evident from thisthat they belive money can solve anything.
By offering her money but still abandoning her they reduce her to an object they can throw money at . She is dispossessed of her humanity purely because she lacks material possessions.
Through the men’s interactions with eva , Priestly implies capitalism turns people and forgiveness into things that can be bought.It is evident the men don’t understand what else they can offer eva such as love , support and kindness.
They don’t understand that their acts of cruelty or their prejudices also have an impact and are ignorant ofsocial isolation and oppression .
Priestly’s audience would learn to value emotional connection and fellowship over the power of wealth.
“she wanted twenty five shillings a week instead of twenty two and six pence . You made her pay a heavy price for that “ act 3 - inspector
Prieslty shows how the focus on wealth means people cannot recognise other sources of pleasure or happiness . Money is the only thing worth to the birlings .
Mr birling refused to pay his workers a slightly higher wage because of his greed . It was too “heavy “ a “price” for his business.
Realistically , raising their wages was within his power , and would not have destroyed his business. In contrast , the “price” eva was forced to pay was losing her life.
the metaphor “price” alludes to economy and trade , implicating capitalist greed as the direct cause of her death
Prieslty contrasts Mr birlings interpretation of a “heavy price” with the “heavy price” eva experienced to show how greed blinds people to others needs and humanity.
Priestly suggest that what is in reality of small consequence to the upper classes , who own fortunes is of huge consequence to the lower classes.
This is further implied through prieslty using the inspector as a mouth piece to convey that society will be on “fire , bllod and anguish” which truly shows how the power of upperclasses can lead to the destruction of society.
