How Does Priestley Use A Play That Seems To Be About An Ordinary Middle-class Family Essay Example

of labor issues and strikes during the time it was set, with Birling's comments on the matter only serving to showcase his ignorance on the subject. Moreover, Birling's slandering of socialists reveals his disdain for prominent literary figures such as Bernard Shaw and H. G. Wells. Priestley cleverly uses the character of Birling to depict capitalists as bumbling buffoons, while also timing the Inspector's arrival to coincide with Birling's self-important monologue.

The Inspector's appearance interrupts and alters the characters' lives and perspectives. Birling's remark about middle-class perceptions of lower-class individuals is ironic given the socialist Inspector's arrival. The Inspector exposes how each character has mistreated Eva, with their self-interest superseding concern for her well-being. This hypocrisy reaches its climax when Mrs. Birling condemns her own son.

Ensure that this young man is located and subsequently pressured to admit publicly to being accountable.

"Priestley skillfully highlights the ignorance of middle class people, exemplified through characters such as Mrs Birling who shirks responsibility and lacks compassion. The strategic use of entrances and exits in the play allows for private conversations at crucial moments, such as when Eric takes the Inspector to speak with Birling, leaving Sheila and Gerald to confront the nature of their strained relationship on stage. Priestley also emphasizes the importance of honesty for characters like Sheila, as seen in her acknowledging the significance of someone finally speaking truthfully."

The honesty shown by the Inspector contrasts with the desire of Gerald to avoid "unpleasantness". This trait is also present in Mr. and Mrs. Birling, but Sheila and Eric are the characters who learn from the Inspector's teachings. The Birling family represents a hypocritical middle-class

facade, with each character reflecting a different aspect of this facade. The family sought to portray themselves as caring and respectable, as evidenced by Mrs. Birling's role in a charity committee. She stated "we've done a great deal of useful work in helping deserving cases".

Despite being on a charity committee, the family's treatment of a disadvantaged girl reveals their lack of generosity and kindness with money. This hypocrisy is further reinforced by Mr Birling's reluctance to raise the pay of some workers, despite only requiring a small increase. "

According to Priestley, agreeing to the demand for a new rate would have added approximately twelve percent to labour costs, revealing the selfishness of capitalists. Birling's statement, "I'd give thousands- yes thousands-" to fix the situation demonstrates the capitalist's inability to think beyond self-gain and money. The upper middle class, particularly the elders, hold a belief that they are respectable and generous people. This belief is shattered when it is revealed that Alderman Meggarty, a prominent member of the community, is a womanizer and one of the worst sots and rogues in town. Furthermore, Eric is an alcoholic and Gerald had an affair.

The play highlights the hypocrisy and secrets of the upper middle class. The Inspector's final speech delivers a clear message that not respecting others will result in punishment through "fire and blood and anguish". The use of apocalyptic imagery portrays the Inspector like an old testament prophet who condemns those who do not learn. The message could refer to the war that breaks out after the play's setting or even the emotions felt by the characters when Eva's situation unfolds. It may also

reference the syndicalist strikes due to low labour costs. It remains unclear if Priestley intended the Inspector to be visualized as a time-traveller or angel, given their mysterious knowledge of Eva's life and the impending arrival of the "real" police inspector, as indicated by their repeated assertion of limited time.

It is possible that the character could be Eva Smith's future adult child, who remains alive as long as Eva is still alive but disappears once she actually dies and the family is notified by the real police inspector. This theory could explain why he had limited time, as he must have known Eva's fate. Additionally, if Eva were to die, he would not have been born in the first place. The play's setting in 1912 and its writing in 1945 demonstrate Priestley's belief in its universal message that applies to people of all times. Priestley hoped that this message would influence public opinion and lead to a Labour victory over the Conservatives, who were in power under Winston Churchill's leadership in a coalition government. As a socialist, he did not want to see the same mistakes made after the first war repeated.

The speaker believed that the failures of capitalism were responsible for the Second World War and the UK's descent into poverty during the Great Depression. He expressed concern that this could happen again unless socialist policies were implemented by a Labour government after the war. By setting the play in 1912 for a 1945 audience, he hoped to highlight the need for change before the first war and to "win the peace" thereafter. The speaker speculated that if socialist policies had been implemented

earlier, the war could have been avoided, as well as the economic depression and unemployment of the 1930s. The play ends on an optimistic note, with the younger members of the Birling family acknowledging their mistakes and expressing hope for a better future. However, the older members remain resistant to change and even mock the Inspector's warnings once they feel secure again.

Despite Sheila's plea that the older members of the group lack understanding, they remain solely focused on their reputation. When the Inspector departs, Birling predicts a public scandal as a result of their actions. Essentially, they have not learned anything from the experience.

Priestley's play depicts the family members, especially the older ones, as self-centered and missing the point even after the Inspector's visit. However, the Inspector notes that younger ones are more impressionable, implying that Priestley has hope for the future generation. Throughout the play, Priestley articulates his Socialist ideas and endeavors to persuade others to see and accept them. The family stands for the Capitalist upper middle class as per Priestley's vision of their "true light." Even the stage directions call for sharper and brighter lighting upon the Inspector's arrival.

According to Priestley's perspective, the Inspector has a clearer view of the world and aims to enlighten and provide comprehension to the family. Additionally, the Inspector helps others to scrutinize Capitalism in a way that may not have been evident to other viewers of the play.