Birling's views, opinions and ideas on society

 Look at the following things Birling says:

•   ‘ … a man has to make his own way - ’

‘ … you’d think everybody has to look after everybody else, …’ ‘ – community and all that nonsense.’ ‘ … a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own - ’  Birling was ‘speaking’ in 1912 and, although his views and opinions might seem outdated to us, some people, even in today’s society, still share his ideas.
)    Discuss each of the quotes.  Can you think of one reason or example to defend Birling’s ideas and one reason or example to prove Birling wrong? !  Does Priestley share Birling’s views, opinions and ideas?  (Consider Priestley’s political views.) !  Are we (the audience) meant to share Birling’s views, opinions and ideas?  Explain your answer. !  The ‘sharp ring’ of the doorbell curtails Birling’s speech about community and responsibility.  Why do you think this may be significant? Dramatic devices  Priestley uses many dramatic devices to entertain the audience whilst they are watching the play - revise these here. Summarise these devices in your own words.

Key Themes

An Inspector Calls is a very political play. To understand it fully you will need to understand the following:

 

Socialism

A political theory or system in which the means of production and distribution are controlled by the people and operated by equity and fairness rather than market principles.

 
 

Capitalism

An economic system based on the private ownership of the means of production and distribution of goods, characterised by a free competitive market motivated by profit.