Choose two characters from the play. With careful analysis of relevant sections of An Inspector Calls, show how Priestley wants us to react to them in different ways, and give reasons for these differences Priestley’s socialist views are reflected in his play-written in 1945 but set in 1912- just before the first of many imperative and decisive events such as World War 1, World War 2 and who could forget , the sinking of the not so resilient cruise liner; Titanic- “An Inspector Calls”. Priestley wants everyone to work together and have no boundaries between them any longer. Believing that we are all responsible for each others actions and that we should learn from lapses in the past and act upon them is a key element in Priestley’s socialist beliefs. By learning these mistakes it would create a superior and more established hope for the future. “An Inspector Calls” is a moralizing glance at the site and situation of one family, the Birlings. Priestley uses his play as a vehicle to express his moral and social concerns; that if we do not begin taking responsibility for each others actions, there will be no hope, no foundation and most importantly no future. The characteristics of this family are chosen carefully and accurately. The “older generation”, Mr Birling is described as a “prosperous manufacturer” who believes that “a man has to mind his own business and look after himself” and should not get involved in “community and all that nonsense”. He is a very pretentious, egotistical and typical man of 1912. The moment in time when Priestley decided to write the play couldn’t have been more perfect, and is where he uses Mr Birling to express the naïve and pugnacious capitalist views in his rather long and “portentous” speeches. His speeches consist of how none of these things will ever happen. “…I say there isn’t a chance of war” and the Titanic is “…unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable” and not to overlook that the world would have “forgotten all these Capital versus Labour agitations”, which are obvious signs of dramatic irony. Whereas Sheila, the “younger generation” is rather “pleased with life”, which shows her vulnerability to be easily divorced from her engagement festivity. Because she is young and still learning new and “squiffy” terms, Priestley chooses her to change and develop, in hope that people will become more socialist in the near future. Sheila is a more compatible person who eventually changes her views as the play progresses. In the beginning of the play “the general effect is substantial and heavily comfortable, but not cosy and homelike”. We are made to feel that this is an environment with an array of surprises lying ahead.
one page 11) this indicates that he is a selfish man and cares for his
it will create. He makes a toast to the couple and to the fact that
she needed more money. So she said to him give me 25/6 because of that
The war was said to bring fire blood & anguish in to our lives. WW1 -
A Comparison of Characters of Mr. Birling and Inspector Goole in J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls
· The social class system at the time when the play is set, (rich and
J.B. Priestley's Motives Behind An Inspector Calls J.B. Priestley was born in Bradford, Yorkshire in 1894. His mother
J.B. Priestley's Play "An Inspector Calls" "Why shouldn't they try for higher wages? We try for the highest possible prices. And I don't see why she should have been sacked". Eric to Mr Birling says this.
"And be quiet for a moment and listen to me. I don't need to know any
The Web. 04 Nov. 2013. http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/depwwii/wwarii/>. " World War II (1939-1945)"
at the time. By viewing the characters of the play in this way, we can
WWII has a ripple effect across the globe causing changes both internationally and domestically. Internationally, The sun finally began to set over the British Empire with the majority of her majesties colonial possessions gaining independence in the years following the war. Britain’s stage left exit from its hegemonic role resulted in the start of a new “Great Game” between two burgeoning superpowers. A new world order began to take shape with the United States and USSR vying to establish their own hegemony.
World War II, known as the largest armed conflict in history, began in Europe in the 1930s and led to effect many people. The war resulted in not only the involvement of more countries than any other war but also introduced powerful, new, nuclear weapons that also contributed to the most deaths. As Hitler rose to power in 1933 the Holocaust began, his quest for the ‘perfect’ race resulted in the use of concentration camps, which would help to create the largest genocide of people in history.
In the early months of 1941 the world was at war. Not all countries where involved in combat since the war was primarily focused on Europe, but many countries outsi...
Bombs being fired, grenade pins being pulled, guns being shot, and land mines exploding are the sights and sounds of World War II. World War II was a historical moment for the whole world that should never be forgotten. World War II dealt with issues that had to be smoothed over after World War I. After a twenty- year hiatus, World War II began between the Axis powers, and the Allied powers. World War II should be remembered because of the bravery of the soldiers, the uniting of countries, and the patriotism of soldiers.