morality and hypocrisy Flashcards
overview
In An Inspector Calls, Priestley explores morality and hypocrisy through characters who claim to be moral but fail to take responsibility for their actions. The upper-class characters, especially Mr. Birling, focus on personal success while ignoring the needs of others. The Inspector contrasts this by urging them to recognize their duty to care for everyone. Priestley uses these themes to criticize selfishness and promote social responsibility.
A man has to make his own way – has to look after himself – and his family too, of course.”
The first quote comes from Mr. Birling when he says, “A man has to make his own way – has to look after himself – and his family too, of course.” This line immediately reflects Mr. Birling’s individualistic worldview. He believes in self-reliance and thinks that people should only be concerned with their own success, ignoring any responsibility towards others. The repetition of “has to” emphasizes his belief that this is a strict rule, as though it’s a fact of life. Priestley uses Mr. Birling’s words to critique selfishness and the lack of social responsibility in capitalist society. The idea that a person should only care about their own way of life ignores the importance of empathy and community, which makes Mr. Birling a symbol of moral hypocrisy. His attitude is hypocritical because, despite claiming that people should only care for themselves, he expects others to respect his authority and position, yet he does not extend this same respect to those lower down in the social hierarchy.
“Public men, Mr. Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges.”
The second quote from Act 1 that stands out is when the Inspector says, “Public men, Mr. Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges.” This line is a direct critique of Mr. Birling’s attitude. The Inspector is pointing out that people in positions of power and influence, like Mr. Birling, cannot simply ignore their social responsibilities. The word “privileges” highlights the advantages Mr. Birling enjoys due to his wealth and status, while “responsibilities” challenges him to consider how his actions affect others. This statement exposes the hypocrisy of Mr. Birling, who fails to acknowledge his duty toward the welfare of others, especially those less fortunate. Priestley uses this contrast between privilege and responsibility to argue that moral responsibility should be shared by all members of society, especially those in power, rather than being ignored or exploited for personal gain.
“I accept no blame for it at all.”
The first quote is from Mrs. Birling, who says: “I accept no blame for it at all.” This line is spoken when Mrs. Birling is questioned by the Inspector about her involvement in Eva Smith’s downfall. She is referring to her decision as chairwoman of the charity to deny help to Eva when she came seeking aid under the name “Mrs. Birling.” This quote shows her complete moral blindness and her refusal to take responsibility for her actions, which is a key example of hypocrisy. Mrs. Birling tries to distance herself from any moral responsibility, despite the fact that her refusal to help Eva, who was pregnant and in need, contributed significantly to the chain of events that led to Eva’s tragic death. The fact that she “accepts no blame” reflects her upper-class mentality, where she believes that she is above reproach and should not be held accountable for the suffering of a working-class individual. Mrs. Birling’s denial of responsibility highlights the hypocrisy of the aristocracy in refusing to acknowledge the consequences of their actions on those less privileged, even when they directly cause harm
“I felt rotten about it at the time and now I feel a lot worse.”
The second quote comes from Sheila, who says: “I felt rotten about it at the time and now I feel a lot worse.” This line is a key moment in Sheila’s character development. She is acknowledging the moral guilt she feels for her role in Eva Smith’s dismissal from her job at Millwards, which was the result of Sheila’s jealousy over Eva’s appearance. Sheila’s recognition of her guilt is in stark contrast to the behavior of her parents, who continue to deny any responsibility. The use of “rotten” and “a lot worse” demonstrates the depth of Sheila’s moral conscience, as she begins to understand the gravity of her actions and their harmful impact on Eva’s life. Unlike her parents, Sheila is willing to accept the consequences of her behavior, which marks a significant departure from the hypocrisy displayed by the older generation. Her sense of guilt reflects a growing moral awareness, and Priestley uses this moment to show the potential for change and moral growth, especially among the younger generation, as they begin to understand the importance of empathy and social responsibility.
The first quote, “You’re not the type of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble,” is spoken by Eric Birling to his father, Mr. Birling. The use of the word “chap” here is important as it shows Eric’s sense of frustration and disillusionment with his father. The fact that he feels he cannot turn to his father for help suggests a lack of moral guidance from the person who is supposed to be his role model. Mr. Birling, throughout the play, shows a deep hypocrisy in his belief that he is a successful, moral businessman, yet his failure as a father demonstrates the opposite. By focusing on his career and personal success, he neglects the emotional and moral needs of his family, which is a direct critique of the self-centered nature of the upper class. Priestley uses this moment to expose how Mr. Birling, like many others in the play, pretends to hold high moral standards but fails to live up to them when it matters.
, “We don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other,
The second quote, “We don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other,” is spoken by the Inspector and directly challenges the individualistic attitudes of the Birlings. The metaphor of “one body” suggests that society should function as a unified whole, with each person supporting the others. The Inspector’s words are a moral rebuke to the Birlings, who believe that their actions only affect themselves. His statement highlights the hypocrisy of characters like Mr. Birling and his family, who have been shown to disregard their moral obligations to others, particularly the working class. Priestley uses the Inspector to represent his own socialist ideals, advocating for social responsibility and collective morality. This quote is key in understanding how Priestley criticizes the moral failings of the upper class and their inability to see their interconnectedness with the rest of society.
conclusion
In conclusion, An Inspector Calls explores the themes of morality and hypocrisy by showing how characters like Mr. Birling ignore their responsibilities to others while claiming to be morally upright. The play challenges the idea that individual success is more important than looking out for one another, especially those less fortunate. Through the Inspector’s moral message, Priestley emphasizes the need for social responsibility and exposes the hypocrisy of those who only care about themselves. Ultimately, the play encourages the audience to think about how their actions affect others and the importance of community over selfishness.
