An Inspector Calls

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An Inspector Calls One of the main themes of JB Priestley’s play “An Inspector Calls” is how man treats his fellow man. 'An Inspector Calls' was set in 1912 in an Edwardian society this was a time of great divide between the classes. There was a lot of social unrest as the working class people where uniting to protest for fair pay, reduced working hours, and better working conditions. The play is set in The Birling Household during Shelia Birling and Gerald Crofts engagement party. The party comes to an abrupt end when a unknown inspector arrives at their door with some news. The news that the inspector has is that a girl names Eva Smith committed suicide by drinking strong disinfectant. Although Eva doesn’t appear in the play, the play centres around her and her death. The plot unravels the involvement of the characters in this death. Throughout the play an 'inspector calls' JB Priestly uses the characters to portray the different levels of society. He does this so as to give each class a moral belief and name. He uses the characters Mr and Mrs Birling to represent capitalists they are middle class and only out for themselves. Gerald is a higher middle class and is much younger, he has some empathy for the lower class but is still very much a capitalist. Both Eric and Sheila have a lot of empathy for Eva Smith, they see what they have done and are willing to accept that. Eva represents the lower class. She represents how badly they are treated by the upper classes. The inspector, represents JB Priestley’s views . JB Priestly uses the character to tell the audiences how he feels and thinks. That the characters have to be made to realise their responsibilities which are to be truthful and honest to themselves and each other... ... middle of paper ... ...ey thought they did nothing wrong where as Eric and Shelia feel bad for their actions and take full responsibility. I think Priestly ended the play with the phone call because if they changed their ways they could have saved the girls life and it was like the Inspector was just telling them was going to happen if they didn’t change their ways. I think the play has succeeded in alerting the audience about how the higher class treat the working class and how it is man responsibility to look after his fellow man. It has made me think about how this still happens today how higher up people don’t think about anyone else and just about themselves like the Banker and there bonuses. I think we should treat people fairly as if something was to happen to you, you would want someone to be there to help you. It is like treat your fellow man like you would like to be treated.

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