Responsibility

Question 1

Responsibility intro

Answer 1

In AIC, Responsibility the most prominent theme in the play, as Priestley attempts to criticise the lack of social responsibility in a capitalist society as a result of the self-indulgence it creates, especially in the upper classes. Priestley conveys the importance of social responsibility through the harsh effect of the Birling’s irresponsible behaviour on Eva Smith.

Question 2

Responsibility Para 1

Answer 2

Towards the start of the play, Priestley reminds his audience of the Capitalist ideologies about self-responsibility, but criticises its selfish nature

• ‘Every man has to look after himself and his family’ capitalist idea of every man for himself, reflexive ‘himself’ showing ideas of selfishness, possessive proud
• Upper class’ rejection of social responsibility, through Birling’s intolerance in simile ‘like bees in a hive-community and that nonsense’- comparing to bees implies that it is primitive and demeaning, but this is an ideal society
• Dramatic irony causes the audience to disagree with this view

Question 3

Responsisbility para 2

Answer 3

Through the immoral actions of the Birlings, Priestley exposes the upper class’ irresponsibility towards the lower classes- perhaps to imply that hatred of social responsibility comes from classist views

• Mr B believes that it is his ‘duty to keep labour costs down’, reveals his rejection of social – higher profits will only benefit him (selfish), the well-being of his workers does not matter , the noun ‘duty’ revealing that he feels that it is his responsibility
• Mrs B – as a ‘prominent woman’ of the woman’s charity, she fails in her duty by neglecting Eva, perhaps revealing how conventional ideas social responsibility are corrupt and influenced by classist views

Priestley explores the effect of lack of social responsibly through Eva’s suffering

• ‘burnt her inside out, of course’- his use of shocking graphic imagery reveals the truth about the lower class’ suffering, dysphemism contrasts the Birling’s euphemism to trivialise suffering/their actions, heightening their guilt.
• ‘The girl killed herself. But each of you helped to kill her’ – reminds the Birlings that they were all collectively responsible for Eva’s death- chain of events

Question 4

Rsponsibility para 3

Answer 4

Older Birlings seem immature through their inability to take responsibility of their actions

-‘your mother and I had every reason to do what we did- it turned out unfortunately, that’s all ’- justifies his actions, fails to take responsibility in what he has done adverb ‘unfortunately’ creates the impression that it was just his luck, while ‘that’s all’ trivializes Eva’s hardships , directly contrasting the inspectors works about collective responsibility

This contrasts the younger Birlings-

-‘The fact remains that I did what I did’- expresses genuine remorse embraces responsibility, making him seem my empathetic

Does this to show that some people (especially the narrow minded arrogant elderly) are unwilling to accept social responsibility because of being indoctrinated into capitalist ideologies, but that the youth can behave responsibly and change the future

Through Inspector, Priestley conveys his views of social responsibility as being vital to end suffering

• Inspector’s final didactic manifesto – ‘we are all responsible for each other’- ideas of social responsibilities
• ‘if men will not learn that lesson they will be taught it in blood and fire and anguish’- the syndetic list of blood and fire and anguish may be a reference to both War and hellfire- in the Birling’s case, no change induced two wars, creating fear in the audience that there may be another one if people continue behaving irresponsibly
• Inspector reminds Birling that ‘public men have responsibilities as well as privileges’- indicating the the power of the upper class should be used responsibly, as ‘their lives, their suffering and chance of happiness, all intertwined with ours’, antithesis between happiness and suffering shows how every aspect of their lives are affected– their actions can have a huge impact on the lives of the lower classes, and by doing this Priestley reminds is audience they too must act responsibly in order to protect these people and reform their lives for a better future.