capitalism vs socialism

Question 1

describe the theme of capitalism vs socialism in the play:

Answer 1

• Birlings represent prospering capitalists in society, Inspector acts as Priestley’s mouthpiece. his role is to condemn capitalism and teach socialist ideas.
• the play illustrates capitalism’s eventual fall to socialism, suggesting socialism is the more superior, more beneficial, and more powerful political system.
• in 1912, the liberal party was in power. they supported laissez-faire economics, where the government didn’t intervene with the economy. this was ideal for capitalism.
• in the 1945 general election, the labour party won a landslide victory. their manifesto had many socialist proposals. the country, after the wars, required change and recovery, and there was a big desire for a welfare state.
• this means at the time Priestley was writing, Britain was in a state of great political change and turmoil, and the argument capitalism vs socialism was still very much ongoing.

Question 2

describe the development of the theme as the play goes on:

Answer 2

• before Inspector arrives, mr birling most powerful. ‘heavy looking’, ‘portentous’ appearance is physical manifestation of dominance. commands room, leads conversation. symbolises dominance of capitalism in society, how it went unchallenged. play opens with birling’s derogatory views of socialism, suggests he mocks socialism so he can feel more powerful.
• he feels intimidated and overpowered
  when the inspector is there, so by
  insulting him behind his back, he can
  reinstate himself as leader.
• inspector arrives, power starts to shift. ‘creates at once an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness.’ inspector speaks ‘carefully, weightily’, implying he’s in control, whereas birling’s way of speaking makes him seem superficial. Birling thinks he’s in charge due to boasting about his previous white-collar jobs, but he’s not, and this frustrates him.
• play continues, birling loses more and ore of his confidence. by himself = convincing leader, cannot cope when challenged. suggests that capitalism only appears like a viable choice when socialism is ignored.
• the inspector questions birling’s decisions, asking ‘why?’. overrules, criticises, silences. symbolic of socialism’s triumph over capitalism.

Question 3

how is capitalism vs socialism portrayed at the beginning of the play?

Answer 3

• ‘employers are at last coming together to see that our interests - and the interests of the capital - are properly protected.’
• priestley suggests employers chose to
  ‘protect’ profits rather than their workers.
• birling presents ‘interests of the
  capital’ and own ‘interests’ as
  same thing, showing how his identity is
  entirely contained within his desire for
  money.
• capitalism makes people defensive, secretive and hostile. when asked ‘why’, he is ‘surprised’ and says ‘i don’t see that it’s any concern of yours how i run my business’. he finds the inspector’s questions ‘unnecessary’ and ‘officious’.
• ‘officious’ implies he doesn’t want
  inspector questioning him as he sees as
  challenge to his authority and
  intelligence.
• birling doesn’t want anyone interfering
  with the way he runs his business - links
  to idea of laissez-faire economics.
  inspector thinks this way of running the
  economy allows businesses to be
  exploitative, fraudulent or deceptive
  without consequence.

Question 4

how is capitalism vs socialism portrayed at the end of the play?

Answer 4

• inspector tells the Birlings that the ‘lives’ of others are ‘intertwined’ with their own. ‘we don’t live alone. we are members of one body. we are responsible for each other.’
• semantic field of connection advocates
  for the socialist ideals of community and
  equality.
• metaphor ‘one body’ emphasises how
  nothing is in isolation, another
  interpretation: society benefits the most if
  everyone is contributing and receiving. if
  one member of the ‘body’ suffers,
  everybody suffers.
• inspector leaves with message ‘if men will not learn that lesson, they’ll be taught it in fire, blood, and anguish.’ portraying conflict and the world wars as a direct result of choosing capitalism over socialism.
• appears almost like a prophet, warning
  Birlings of an event the audience has just
  experienced. makes the message more
  evocative and heartfelt.