An inspector Calls, Great Story Essay Example

little party like this." However, it is evident that the party could not have been of the same importance during a time of war, where rations were scarce and moods were low. By 1945, the Second World War had already started in 1939 and ended in 1945. This shows how opinions and situations were vastly different at the time, along with the social class system that placed people in their own class from birth.

Initially, individuals were supposed to comprehend their social status and surrender to it, leading to a negative view of those with lower financial status. However, by 1912, society commenced to challenge these societal constraints. Laborers pushed for increased involvement in society by organizing strikes and creating trade unions.

Like 'Eva Smith', the workers also demanded a breakthrough, but Priestley illustrated its decline when the bosses did not give in. He implied that it would take some time. At that time, the bosses wanted to control wages, labor, and job conditions. Mr. Birling considered himself highly placed in the social ladder as the owner of a profitable factory.

Arthur Birling has the ability to live a life of luxury as a middle class land owner. He proudly mentions his title of 'Knighthood', which he earned for his service to the magistrate and position as Lord Mayor, reinforcing his high social status. Priestly skillfully utilizes this character to convey his critique of the upper classes and highlight their ignorance and misplaced role in society.

The message being conveyed is that during that period, the focus of the elderly generation was solely on financial gain and social status. There are notable differences in personality between Arthur Birling

and Inspector Goole. This contrast may have been intentionally created by Priestly as a means of discrediting individuals like Mr. Birling, who subscribe to capitalist ideals. It is worth noting that Arthur Birling's language is formal and devoid of colloquialisms.

Described as a portentous man in his mid-fifties, he sees himself as a shrewd businessman who places great emphasis on climbing the social ladder. His behavior towards others is closely tied to their ability to further his business interests, such as his warm reception of Gerald Croft into the family due to the potential business link with his father, a rival. Notably absent from his considerations are any emotional attachments or concerns towards his daughter's marriage.

Mr. Birling has the opportunity to bring the company together through a business deal that will result in decreased costs and increased prices. There is an understanding that Gerald's social status is below that of Mr. Birling's family, as indicated by his reference to receiving a knighthood to relieve social pressure. Priestly highlights these points.

Priestly employs dramatic devices to capture the audience's attention as he depicts Birling's lack of foresight regarding the future. This is an excellent demonstration of the 'upper classes' falsely believing that everything is perfect, which is known as 'dramatic irony'. Inspector Goole, on the other hand, holds a formal position and speaks with precision. Despite occasional sharpness, he maintains a composed tone throughout.

The Inspector in the play has clever attitudes towards the people he talks to, making them feel like he already knows what they will say. This is shown at the end of Act 1 when Sheila Birling almost figures out the Inspector's investigation method.

She thinks she understands him, but she's actually far from what he's trying to prove. Priestly seems to express his own views through the character of the Inspector. The Inspector highlights the issues with social hierarchy and refers to society's people as "...

Being part of one body means we have a responsibility toward each other, according to the speaker's beliefs. He opposes Mr. Birling's view of social hierarchy in Brumley, advocating for equality among all individuals.

Despite contrasting moral beliefs which contribute to the play's tension, Inspector Goole and Priestly both highlight the plight of the 'lower class'. Through 'Eva Smith's' story, Inspector Goole effectively depicts the injustice she suffered, leading each character in the room to feel guilt. The fact that Eva had lost both parents and was unable to save much of what she earned from Birling and his colleagues reinforces this. This message resonates not only with the characters in the play but also with its audience.

Despite the recent dramatic change in community roles and professions, the author's message remains abundantly clear. He emphasizes the idea that although one Eva Smith may be gone, there are countless others facing similar struggles.

Initially, Mr. Birling scoffs at the Inspector's arrival, dismissing it as a joke. However, his attitude quickly shifts as the Inspector starts asking questions and conducting an investigation.

Birling tries to calm himself down by affirming that there is no basis for questioning him. He once more emphasizes his societal position and almost warns Inspector Goole that he has associations with the police and is acquainted with several of the inspectors who work there: "...and lord mayor two years ago - and I am

still on the bench, so I know the Brumley police officers pretty well."

Despite their differences, the Inspector and Mr. Birling share a similar language and tone by preferring sophisticated vocabulary over slang in their speeches.

Mr. Birling and Inspector Goole have different communication styles. Mr. Birling talks about business and social righteousness, while Inspector Goole is more direct and skilled in influencing his audience. He uses his techniques to capture the characters' and audiences' attention and shows sympathy for young Eva Smith. In contrast, Mr. Birling shows no empathy. When accused of being a major cause of Eva's situation, he denies it, relying on his status and even mentioning Croft's Ltd., Gerald's business.

In adding to the fury that Inspector Goole felt towards the upper classes, he questioned Mr. Birling's decision not to raise the wages of a particular individual. Mr. Birling took this as a personal insult and was deeply offended.

The Inspector had clearly intended to question Arthur Birling, who then tries to justify himself by delivering a speech on the scarcity of individuals who possess a 'business standard' of thinking. Despite feeling increasingly frustrated and bewildered by the constant questioning, Birling tries to intimidate the Inspector by suggesting he is close to the 'Chief Constable of Inspectors', but the Inspector remains unmoved and persists in his questioning.

Within the play, Inspector Goole and Arthur Birling repeatedly intimidate and caution each other, emphasizing their respective societal positions. In order to assign guilt to Mr. Birling, Inspector Goole employs severe tactics.

In a dramatic moment, Arthur Birling is informed about not only past events but also their future consequences. The weight of his actions is highlighted with

the statement, "You made her pay a heavy price for that. And now she'll make you pay a heavier price still." This impacts all characters and Priestly skillfully ramps up the tension. However, Mr. Birling's response unsurprisingly reverts back to his focus on money.

I'd give thousands - yes, thousands. This highlights the selfish and money-centered mindset of the upper-class individuals that Priestly portrays through these contrasting characters.

In the constant battle, Inspector Goole emerges as the more intellectual man and makes a final point that is valid not only for Arthur Birling but also for all the characters involved in the young girl's tragic death. Although the question of whether a young woman had actually committed suicide or not remains mysterious in the end, it is irrelevant and merely demonstrates Mr. Birling's stubbornness, especially after confirming that no such girl had died. This revelation causes the tension to completely dissipate and creates a merrier atmosphere.

As the audience watches, Mr. Birling displays both relief and anger. However, their relief is short-lived when news of a girl's suicide reaches the house via phone call.

Priestly has developed a strong sense of animosity and dissatisfaction towards Mr. Birling. By evoking sympathy for the girl, regardless of whether her name was 'Eva Smith' or not, Priestly conveyed the message that the ramifications of the class divide were severe.

In summary, Inspector Goole and Arthur Birling exhibit contrasting characteristics and roles. Birling's function is to display animosity towards the upper class, whereas Inspector Goole reinforces Priestley's socialist beliefs. Throughout the play, the two individuals engage in continuous power struggles and attempt to justify their actions within the given situation.

Priestly employs

different theatrical techniques to engage the viewers. These include creating a sense of enigma around Inspector Goole's appearance and Mr. Birling's foreseeable troubles which are examples of 'dramatic irony'.

Through the role of Inspector Goole, Priestly effectively questions not only Mr. Birling's actions, but also his moral beliefs, which the author views as incorrect. This message is effectively conveyed to the audience.