Social Responsibility

Question 1

Give a definition of social responsibility.

Answer 1

Social responsibility is the idea that everyone should try to help other people in society.

Question 2

Explain how these characters avoid taking responsibility for Eva / Daisy:
a) Arthur
b) Sybil

Answer 2

a) By refusing to raise Eva /
Daisy’s welfare
b) Sybil doesn’t try to help
Eva / Daisy - instead she
influences her charity to
reject Eva / Daisy’s
appeal for aid.

Question 3

What is socialism?

Answer 3

Socialism is the belief that all people are equal and that the money and means of production (e.g. land and factories) should be shared equally amongst everyone.

Question 4

Explain how the Inspector’s final speech emphasises his message about social responsibility.
Mention the language he uses in your answer.

Answer 4

The Inspector’s speech emphasises his message about social responsibility when he states that “We are responsible for each other.” The repetition of “We” at the start of the sentences leading up to this statement suggests that this is about the collective, including the wider audience. His message is reinforced by the simple and accessible language of the speech, which helps to make it more persuasive.

Question 5

How does the play reflect Priestley’s socialist beliefs?
Use an example from the play in your answer.

Answer 5

They play reflects Priestley’s socialist beliefs by emphasising that all people in a society are equal. In the Inspector’s closing speech, he reminds the other characters that “We are members of one body”.