social responsibility Flashcards
how is this presented as the most important theme
1 inspector goes to Birlings to encourage them to be accountable for their actions an to take responsibility for others.
2 Many in society like Eva are vulnerable through no fault of their own
what does priestly show the audience
1 that all actions have a consequence
2- looking after others brings benefits to all
what does the play condem
1 those in power did not protect the people they were responsible for
2 for leading the country to war without considering the effect
what is mr Birlings role
1 he cares only about himself and always puts himself first even if this harms others
2 completly oblivious to what others go through or how his actions impact on others - he never accepts responsibility
3 he is a capitalist “the way the cranks talk you’d think everbody has to look after everbody else mixed up together like bees in a hive “
he is the opposite of social resonsibility maximun profit for the individual he sees employeess as cheap labour “man has to make his own way and his fmily of course”
when is the first time Priestly raises the idea of shared responsibility
1 through Mr Birling when he tells Gerald and Eric “the way these cranks talk now you’d think everybody has to look after everybody else” harsh language makes him appear heartless, he is disgusted at the thought of looking after someone else
how does Priestly show the importance of family honour over social responsibility
Mr Birling prioritises himself over his duties to others he repeats “family loyalty” many times “ a man has to look after himself - and his family too” - shows family is an afterthought
when Mr Birling is faced with the consequences of his actions how does he respond
he refuses to accept any blame declares “obviously it has nothing to do with the wretched girls suicide” believing his action of firing her is irrelevant because he fired her 2 years ago so the events can’t be linked. wretched girl shows lack of compassion.
what would he view excepting blame as
a sign of weakness “I can’t accept any responsibility” he doesn’t want to be accused of making mistakes in his judgement,
what was Birling’s reaction when the family find out the consequences of their actions
He claims “there is every excuse for what both your mother and I di, it turned out unfortunate that’s all” Unfortunate implies it is an inconvienience
How is Mrs Birlingling portrayed
1 Like most upper class of the time she looks down on the poor and the needy
2 she refuses to accept any responsibility
3 she shows her double standards - she condemmed the unknown father of Eva’s child displaying her firm moral code but instantly regrets her words when she finds out it is Eric and tries to take them back - she is a hypocrit
how else does Mrs Birling show she neglects social responsibility
she was a “prominent” member of a womens charity and had a duty of care which she failed by not helping the desperate Eva
what does Priestly argue about institutions run by the upper class
the people in them despise the poor and only care about their social status
what does Priestly use the inspector to show
1 he is a mouthpiece to show the importance of universal responsibility to protect the vulnerable
2 his final speech he says “we are responsible for each other” pointing out we have a moral duty to help each other
what is Sheila’s role
1 she is the first member of the family to grasp the concept of shared responsibility
2 she is the first to repent
3 represents how society can improve
How did Sheila change and why at the start she failed to consider the consequene of her actions
at the start she failed to consider the consequence of her actions
she is shaped by the inspector
after she learns of |Eva’s death she realises what she has caused
