An Inspector Calls

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Recommended: Priestley's political message in an inspector calls

An Inspector Calls was written in 1945 but is set in 1912. In between 1912 and 1945, many major events occurred. World War one past, lasting four years starting in 1914 and finishing in 1918. Then World War two approached in 1939 then finished in 1945. The Titanic was a huge event as it was an enormous boat and was “unsinkable;” Until it sank on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York in 1916. The Russian Revolution took place in 1917; The USSR revolution showed how ordinary people could revolt and take over a country. There was a general strike which came about in 1926, 3rd May to 13th May. Priestley is attacking the social structure of Britain. In 1912, they had three groups to separate people; they consisted of the upper class who were the highest on the social ladder. They were people who did not earn the money they possessed. They inherited the money from there past relatives. Below them, were the middle class. They owned the factories and controlled their lives thinking of the money, Priestley disliked the middle class as they were self centred; only taking care of themselves. At the bottom end of the social structure, were the working class, Who got paid wages from the factories that were owned by the middle class “individuals.” The working class did not get the “respect” which the upper class received. J.B Priestley was a socialist and believed that everyone should look after each other and be a community. Priestley’s aim is to show the audience how being self centred and arrogant leads to trouble and that there is a better way of improving the life of others. Many of the audience will be middle class people. They may see some of themselves in the characters. The audience knew what was going to happen in ... ... middle of paper ... ... that her father sacked Eva like she did. Sheila is sickened at her father but sympathetic for Eva. “These girls aren’t cheap labour, they’re people.” This quote of Sheila shows that she cares and finds that Birling is treating her like an object not a human being. This quote makes her a hypocrite as she had done the same thing. She talks to her father in a shocked manner finding that she got her sacked at Millwood’s. Her feelings turn to sympathy. “If I could help her now – I would.” At the end of the play; Sheila shows the audience that she has changed when she speaks to her parents. “It frightens me the way you talk.” Sheila starts to get worried because she is uncomfortable about knowing that she was involved in what her parents have done. “I want to get out of this… fire and blood – and – anguish.” She wishes she could go back and change what she has done.

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