An Inspector Calls

Act 1 (161-175)

The play takes place right before the First World War, during a moment of rising international
tensions and significant industrial expansion. The industrial expansion resulted in a gain in
influence and wealth for industrialists of the period (like Mr. Birling). The early decades of the
20th century also marked the end of the Victorian era, and the consequent loosening of the
formerly rigid class system; the Labor Party, founded in 1900, was beginning to gain leverage
and to become increasingly committed to socialist ideas. Socialism and Communism were also
on an upswing in many places around the world. The Russian Revolution, in which Communists
overthrew the Czar of Russia, began in 1917.

Themes

Wealth, Power, and Influence

The Birlings are a family of wealth and power, who take pride in their high social position. Mr.
Birling is a successful businessman, and the family inhabits a nice home with a maid (and likely
other servants). The play begins with the family celebrating and feeling generally pleased with
themselves and their fortunate circumstance.
Throughout the play, as these acts are revealed, the Birlings’ social status becomes a point of
conflict amongst members of the family, as the children grow ashamed of their family’s ability
to use their influence immorally and the parents remain proud of their social and economic
position and do not understand their children’s concern.

The play demonstrates the corruption implicit within a capitalist economy in which wealth and
influence are concentrated in a small portion of the population. The few wealthy people at the
top maintain the social hierarchy in order to retain their high position, and have the power, on
a petty whim, to push the powerless even further down the ladder. And, in the conflict at the
end of the play between the younger and older members of the Birlings, it becomes clear that
as the powerful settle into their power, they become blind to the possibility that they may be
acting immorally, seeing themselves as naturally deserving of their positions and therefore of
their actions as being natural and right (as opposed to selfish attempts to maintain the status
quo that puts them at the top).

Class Politics

Mr. Birling describes the politics of the day as revolving around “Capital versus Labor
agitations.” Mr. Birling is a representative Capitalist, who cares only about his company’s profit.
He speaks of himself as “a hard-headed, practical man of business,” and looks forward to the
prospect of being knighted. The girls who lead a worker’s strike in his factor, meanwhile,
represent the Labor side of the conflict in trying to improve the rights and wages of laborers
and the lower classes.

Birling loosely articulates his understanding of the agitations in his speech to Eric and Gerald: “a
man has to make his own way—has to look after himself…and so long as he does that, he won’t
come to much harm… But the way some of these cranks talk and write now, you’d think
everybody has to look after everybody else, as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a
hive—a man has to mind his own business and look after himself.” The Inspector speaks the
voice of Socialism, of the Labor side of the conflict; he seeks to make the Birlings realize the
implicit corruption of Capitalism by emphasizing how easy it was for them to cause pain for the
lower class without even realizing at the time the significance of their own actions.

Section A: Modern prose or drama

Answer one question from this section on your chosen text.

01 Why did Priestley create the Birling family as the central characters in An Inspector Calls?
Write about:
● How Priestley presents the Birlings
● What the Birling family represent and how they demonstrate Priestley’s views

02 How does Priestley explore guilt in An Inspector Calls?

Write about:
● How Priestley presents guilt by the way he writes
● How Priestley presents different characters’ reactions to guilt

01 How does Priestley use Mr Birling to present his ideas about employers’ responsibility?
Write about:
● Priestley’s ideas about employers
● How Priestley presents Mr Birling

02 How does Priestley present his ideas about social class in An Inspector Calls?
Write about:
● Priestley’s ideas about social class
● How Priestley presents these ideas through his characters and the way he writes

Analysis Act 1
The house is described as ‘fairly large’ and ‘suburban’ with good solid ‘furniture of the period.’
We are introduced to the Birlings as a wealthy upper class family, quite content and happy with
their life.

Despite its luxuries, the house is ‘not cozy and homelike’ indicating some distance and
underlying conflicts between the family members. Implying, that they are not closely knit as
they seem to be.

Priestley’s symbolic and subtle stage directions suggests how the tone of the drama changes
throughout. The lighting is pink, with mildness and a jovial setting, but soon changes with the
arrival of the inspector. The lighting turns into dark red, adding up give intensity to the scene.

The lighting is also metaphorical, as if it brings the Birlings to reality.

Mrs. Birling sits at one corner with Mr. Birling at another. Another aspect of how disconnected
they are. Furthermore, Mrs. Birling’s dialogues are always a counterpoint to that of Arthur, as if
to always oppose his ideas.

Mrs. Birling "Now Arthur, don't think you ought to talk business on an occasion like this.'

Throughout this scene Mrs. Birling corrects her husband's manners, showing her different social
status and disapproval of him.

Edna’s presence also adds up to the fact that the Birlings were a well-to-do family. Class and
distinction are also evident, as she is almost silenced and oblivious. Edna wears a uniform, is not
part of the celebration, but everyone plays their part of society and are very much aware of
their social status.

Mr. Birling talks to Gerald as a very formal and respectful man, rather considers Gerald to of
higher class and dignity than him. In fact, Gerald is, and we see Mr. Birling exploiting his
engagement to Sheila as a business opportunity and chance to attain a higher social class.

“Except for all last summer, when you never came near me, I wondered what had happened to
you.”

The stage direction shows us that there are tensions between Sheila and Gerald. The words
need to be spoken with an edge. This foreshadows Gerald's involvement in Eva/Daisy's suicide.

Mrs. Birling tells Sheila to tolerate men, showing both her explicit gender-biased ignorance and
her attempts to propagate these thoughts. We are also introduced to the theme of male-
female, and women were expected to tolerate the actions of men.
Eric------'Well don't do any. We'll drink their health and have done with it.'

Although the stage directions indicate that this isn't done, too rudely, tensions are signalled
between Eric and his father.

Sheila’s engagement to Gerald means a ‘tremendous lot’ to Mr. Birling. Notice the metaphor
used here, for him, it is more of a business deal than an engagement. The union is important for
him for business purposes. This also shows us how Mr. Birling represents the capitalists, rather
obsessed with profit and wealth. He is a portentous man as well, who is obsessed with himself.

He aims for ‘lower costs and higher prices.’ Mr. Birling is evidently obsessed with capitalism,
and clearly shows why he is happy about business than Sheila’s engagement.

Sheila is an innocent and emotionally weak character who would seem to cry at the simplest
thing. As Gerald gifts her the ring, Sheila evidently breaks down to tears. It is important in such
a way that Sheila symbolises the weak and mild characters women are supposed to be.

Mrs. Birling exclaims Sheila to protect the ring, showing us the ignorance of both parents.
Similarly, with Mr. Birling, Sybil also sees the engagement as a business ticket. This is ironical as
both the parents aren’t actually happy for their daughter. Overall, we are told of the
disconnection that prevails between them.

For women, dresses are told to be a ‘token of their self-respect’, a rather frivolous thing
attached to women.

Capitalism is absolutely obvious in Mr. Birling’s dialogues, and each character is very much
aware of their social status, but Mr. Birling stands out from his exclamations on the Labour
party. He talks of his employees as people who oppose him, but the capitalists truly exploit
labour from them. Mr. Birling considering only lined people to be his equals is highly ironical,
because he had been a labourer himself. He speaks of himself as “a hard-headed, practical man
of business,” and looks forward to the prospect of being knighted. But, most of the Capitalists
have forgotten that their actions are immoral, and how easy it is for them to cause pain for the
lower class without even realizing at the time the significance of their own actions.

Priestley chose to write An Inspector Calls in retrospect. Throughout the play, we come across
the importance of this. Since most of the incidents talked about in the play have already
happened, Priestley uses retrospect technique to explore the ignorance and lavishness of the
British society in general.

The emphasis on RMS Titanic being ‘unsinkable’ is highly ironical. Since the play is written in
retrospect, we are clearly able to see the ignorance and pompous nature of Mr. Birling. The
audience knows that the Titanic was a liner popular for the very reason that it has sunk, and
here, Mr. Birling stating that it was ‘unsinkable’ shows his unawareness. Overall, suggesting
how pompous and self-obsessed a man Mr. Birling is.

He also forbids Eris from speaking, rather arguing his ideas. Mr. Birling sets the basis for a
character who is so full of himself, and allows no one to challenge his ideas. This is similarly
approached to show his ignorance, specially when he states that war will never happen and
Titanic will never sink.

Look at the way he talks of himself, as ‘hard headed businessman’ who practically knows
everything. Mr. Birling’s obsession makes readers dislike his character very much, mainly due to
his ignorant ideas and unsuitable talk. Despite him being a wealthy and prosperous
businessman, Mr. Birling shows no respect of social class, rather thinks of himself to inerratic.

Mr. Birling’s position as Lord Mayor is a direct counterpoint to the attitude he looks on and
treats people with. It is unusual, that such an inhumane and pompous character could be
appointed to look after the poor.

‘don’t get into the police and start a scandal-eh?’- foreshadowing.

Mr birling calls socialism as ‘community and all that nonsense.’

Mr. Birling’s surprised reaction to the inspector’s ‘why’ shows us how much of a capitalist and
unemotional mindset he had. As and alderman and Lord Mayor, it is highly ironical that such a
person could be so heartless and unfeeling.

The inspector is established as a man who need not be big but creates an impression of
massiveness and solidity. Priestley plays with pun, naming the inspector as Goole, shorthand for
Ghoul. His character is significant, because at the resolution, we neither know who he was nor
who he is. Often, Inspector Goole is expected to a moral representation of the labour class, and
an angel who brings the Birlings to reality.

Notice the importance of Eric’s character, who could sometimes represent Priestley. Eric is
rather concerned and emotional toward Eva Smith. He keeps providing counterpoints and
oppositions to Birling’s ideas, rather debates why Mr. Birling couldn’t give her a pay rise. We
see the generational difference clearly, Mr. Birling is heartless, whereas Eric is more concerned
towards the girl. Furthermore, at the end of the play, he seems to understand his mistake, but
the parents are not overcome by their crimes.

‘It’s better to ask for the earth than take it’- this is very important, as it strongly exclaims
opposition towards Birling’s ideas. It is also obvious, that he is a very heartless and portentous
man.

Notice, Mr. Birling also tries to threaten Goole with his social class and power.
Eric’s recurring questions show the age gap between the family. His oppositions are very fair,
why shouldn’t they get better salaries if we get better profit?

Just like Eric, Sheila is also very heartfelt and emotional. At the very prospect of the girl’s
suicide, Shelia is concerned, and that it, honestly.

The fact that each of the members have relationship to the gills that the other knowns not of
highlights how socially disconnected they are as a family.

The presence of a maid and of good quality port reinforces the image of the Birlings as a well-off
family. They are all dressed for a special occasion. Mr. and Mrs. Birling are described in terms
of their status markers—their speech, their social positions—which indicates, from the start, the
play’s concern with class and status. Also note the different ages of the characters: the
established older parents comfortable and proud of their position; the successful thirty-year old;
the two twenty-somethings who seem less set in their places, making one more excited by life
and the other uncomfortable.

The fact that Mr. Birling knows the port to be the same port that Mr. Croft purchases suggests
that the Birlings and the Crofts belong to a similar social and economic circle, but also that Mr.
Birling may aspire to be like Mr. Croft.

In chastising her husband for a rather harmless remark, Mrs. Birling betrays her concern for the
family’s conduct and social manners; she clearly wants to make a good impression on Gerald
Croft.

Character introduction

Arthur Birling is introduced as a “fairly prosperous” manufacturer and a family man with a wife
and two children, Sheila and Eric. He is large-bodied and middle aged, with easy manners and
provincial speech. Birling is identified by the Inspector as the initiator of Eva Smith’s downfall:
he refused her request for a raise in his factory and forced her to find work elsewhere. He is
portrayed throughout the play as a fierce capitalist, who cares only for the prosperity of his own
company—even at the sacrifice of his laborers’ well-being—and for the prospect of ever greater
success. He further seems to care more for success than for his own children, as people. When, at
the end of the play, the Birlings discover that the Inspector was a fraud and no suicide has taken
place, Mr. Birling is triumphant and relieved that the revelations will not precipitate a social
scandal. He is resistant to any lesson that might be gleaned from the Inspector’s interrogation,
and remains unchanged by it.

Gerald is engaged to Sheila. During the inspection, Gerald admits to having had an affair with
the girl in question—at the time, Daisy Renton—which prompts Sheila to return his engagement
ring. Gerald comes out seeming the least guilty of all for the girl’s suicide. In the end, it is he
who realizes that the whole inspection, and all of its premises, was a hoax. Nonetheless, he also
seems less affected by the Inspector's casting of blame than Sheila and Eric, and Sheila denies
his offer to renew their engagement.
Mrs. Birling is described as being “cold” and Mr. Birling’s “social superior.” Throughout the
questioning process, she resists the Inspector’s inquiries and reminds him, to Sheila’s frustration,
of the Birlings’ high social status. Despite her reluctance, Mrs. Birling finally admits to having
used her influence in the Women’s Charity Organization to deny aid for Eva Smith because she
was prejudiced against her manner and offended by the girl’s falsely assuming the name “Mrs.
Birling.” After the revelations at the end of the play that the whole inspection was a hoax, Mrs.
Birling prides herself on having resisted the Inspector more than the rest of her family. And, like
her husband, she feels completely relieved of any responsibility she had felt previously.

Eric is the son of the family. He disapproves of his father’s decision to deny Eva Smith’s request
for higher wages, and becomes drunk and upset throughout the course of the evening, which
prompts Sheila to expose him as a heavy-drinker, unbeknownst to his parents. In the middle of
the play, Eric storms out of the house. When Eric returns, he admits to being exactly the person
—Eva Smith’s impregnator—that his mother had most blamed for the girl’s suicide, and to
having stolen money from his father. His parents are ashamed of him and continue to remind him
what he’s done; but he is likewise ashamed of them for overlooking the true significance of the
bad deeds that they all have been exposed as having committed. He joins Sheila in her judgment
of their parents’ ignorance and in her regard for the significance of the facts at hand.

Goole is allegedly a police officer who has come to investigate the potential involvement of the
Birlings in the recent suicide of a girl by the name of Eva Smith. Throughout the play, he
conducts himself in a manner unsuitable for a police inspector: he takes moral stances throughout
his interrogation, usually in support of labor rights, and in the end he universalizes Eva Smith’s
case to the cases of many such disadvantaged lower class citizens throughout the country. In the
end of the play, it turns that he is not an Inspector after all, and is suspected instead to be a
person from the town with socialist tendencies and a grudge against Mr. Birling. The final
revelation—the call from the infirmary that there really was a suicide—renews suspicion about
the Inspector’s identity, as it makes it seem that Inspector Goole did somehow know what was
going to happen, and was not merely seeking to make the Birlings cognizant of their moral
wrongs.