KEY THEMES Flashcards
Theme 1- Social Responsibility:
An Inspector Calls was first performed in the UK just after the end of World War Two, in 1946. It was a time of great change in Britain and many writers were concerned with the welfare of the poor. At that time there was no assistance for people who could not afford to look after themselves. Priestley wanted to address this issue. He also felt that if people were more considerate of one another, it would improve quality of life for all. This is why social responsibility is a key theme of the play. Priestley wanted his audience to be responsible for their own behaviour and responsible for the welfare of others.
How is the theme of social responsibility shown in the play?
In An Inspector Calls, Priestley explores social responsibility through:
the treatment of Eva Smith.
how each character does or doesn’t take responsibility for their behaviour.
the Inspector’s lessons.
Sheila feels socially responsible:
How- Sheila is shocked when she learns that she had a part to play in Eva’s death.
Evidence- “All right Gerald, you needn’t look at me like that. At least I’m trying to tell the truth. I expect you’ve done things you’re ashamed of too.”
Analysis- Sheila takes responsibility for her actions and tells the truth. Gerald is being judgemental of her even though he has not yet taken responsibility for his own actions.
Mr Birling does not feel socially responsible:
How- Mr Birling refuses to take any responsibility for Eva Smith’s death.
Evidence- “If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody we’d had anything to do with, it would be very awkward, wouldn’t it?”
Analysis- Mr Birling dismisses the idea that we should be responsible for each other, suggesting that such a situation would be “awkward”.
Eric feels socially responsible:
How- Eric shows that he takes responsibility for his actions in the final act of the play.
Evidence- “I don’t see much nonsense about it when a girl goes and kills herself. You lot may be letting yourselves out nicely, but I can’t. Nor can mother. We did her in all right.”
Analysis- Eric clearly shows that he has a sense of social responsibility. Whilst Gerald and Eric’s parents are enjoying being in the clear, Eric still takes the matter of Eva’s death very seriously. He is even brave enough to tell his mother that she should feel responsible too.
Mrs Birling does not feel socially responsible:
How- Sybil Birling will not take any responsibility for the death of Eva Smith even after she has been questioned by the Inspector.
Evidence- “I should think not. Eric, I’m absolutely ashamed of you.”
Analysis- In telling Eric that she is ashamed of him she shows that she has learned nothing from the Inspector’s investigation. The audience would know that she is in no position to be questioning the behaviour of anyone else given her own treatment of Eva Smith and lack of social responsibility.
The Inspector’s lessons:
How- When the Inspector is questioning the Birlings.
Evidence- “It’s better to ask for the earth than to take it.”
Analysis- Here the Inspector is suggesting that it is socially irresponsible to be greedy and ‘take’ things without permission. This is a practice the privileged Birlings would be used to.
How does Priestley explore the theme of social responsibility in An Inspector Calls?
Eva Smith dies because no one takes responsibility for their actions against her.
Sheila and Eric develop a sense of social responsibility during the course of the play.
Mr and Mrs Birling do not develop any sense of responsibility and are made to look even more foolish at the end of the play.
The Inspector teaches a number of lessons about how we should be responsible for each other.
Priestley uses the events of the play to suggest that if we do not take responsibility for each other the world will become a terrible place.
Theme 2- Age:
Age is an important theme in An Inspector Calls. Priestley uses it to show how he believed that there was hope in the younger generation’s ability to learn and change.
The older characters’ opinions and behaviours are stubbornly fixed. Mr Birling refuses to learn and Mrs Birling cannot see the obvious about herself and her children. Eric and Sheila however are younger - they accept their mistakes and offer the chance for a brighter future.
How is the theme of age shown in the play?
In An Inspector Calls, Priestley explores the theme of age through:
Sheila and Eric’s response to Eva’s death.
Mr and Mrs Birling’s response to Eva’s death.
how the older characters perceive the younger ones.
Sheila and Eric:
How- Eric stands up to his parents when it becomes clear that they will not take responsibility.
Evidence- “You’re beginning to pretend now that nothing’s really happened at all.”
Analysis- Eric sees that his parents are trying to ‘pretend’ that nothing happened when it is suggested that the Inspector was not real. He and Sheila, the younger characters, still feel responsible.
Mr and Mrs Birling:
How- Mrs Birling explains her decision to turn away Eva when she came to her for help.
Evidence- “So I was perfectly justified in advising my committee not to allow her claim for assistance.”
Analysis- Despite hearing about all the misfortune that Eva Smith has suffered, Mrs Birling is unmoved and stubbornly stands by her decision to turn Eva away.
Older VS Younger:
How- Mr Birling turns on his son Eric and nearly attacks him physically.
Evidence- “Why, you hysterical young fool - get back - or I’ll -“
Analysis- Mr Birling implies here that Eric is a “fool” because he is young. Ironically, it is the older Arthur who nearly resorts to physical violence.
How are the younger Birling’s, Sheila and Eric, different to their parents in An Inspector Calls?
Mr and Mrs Birling are both unrepentant about their involvement in Eva’s death.
Sheila and Eric develop a sense of social responsibility during the course of the play.
Sheila and Eric are ashamed about their involvement in the death and are desperate to make amends.
When Gerald suggests that the Inspector was not real, Mr and Mrs Birling are over the moon that they could be “off the hook”. However, Sheila and Eric are convinced that even if the Inspector was not real and a girl didn’t die, they still behaved badly and should change their ways.
The older characters are painted in a more negative light and they don’t learn from their mistakes. The younger characters admit they were wrong and try to make things better.
Theme 3- Gender:
An Inspector Calls was written after World War Two. As many British men went away to fight during the war, their positions in work had to be filled by women. This helped change existing perceptions. Men had to acknowledge the fact that women were just as capable as them. As a result of this, many women enjoyed a newfound freedom that working and earning money allowed them.
Not all men saw this change in attitude as a good thing and stayed stuck in the past. Priestley explores the impact of these new gender roles through the independence of Eva Smith and the sexist attitudes of Mr Birling.
