Equitable Society
In An Inspector Calls
Mira, Stephen, Shiavax
• Equitable;
fair and impartial or reasonable; just and
right: equitable treatment of all citizens.
(Webster’s College Dictionary)
• Classes in Society have a big role to
play in equitable society. This is
because they are factors that effect
the way people treat each other
e.g. Mrs. Birling’s attitude towards
the lower class, “those kind of girls”,
those who are socially inferior
How the theme is present in the play
• Priestly has strong socialist views, the aim
from Inspector Calls was to convey his
perspective to the audience in hope of
raising awareness the social inequality.
•
Throughout an Inspector Calls the political
views of Priestly are expressed through the
characters in their speeches, actions and
reactions and the way the characters
behave towards each other.
How the theme is reflected in what each
character from the Birling family says or
does
• The characters represent the points that
Priestley is against which is capitalism and
social inequality. E.g “A man has to mind his own
business and look after himself and his own”-pg10
• In the case of Eric and Sheila he presents the
possibility of change as he shows the
younger generation divided between the
two political groups. He shows the social
divide between the older and younger
generation in their perspectives of social
inequality and what behavior is acceptable.
How the theme is reflected in what each character
from the Birling family says or does
• Mr. and Mrs. Birling find is shocking and rude the
way Inspector Goole presented himself as he was
not afraid to put them in their place. Inspector
Goole was the one in control of the situation and
the Birling's had never felt that way before, the way
the treat those who are seen as socially inferior so
the Inspector gives them a taste of their own
medicine.
• Mrs. Birling looks down on Eva in the fact she refuses
to offer help to her when Eva went to Mrs. Birling’s
charity. She also acts superior just because she is of
a higher class.
•
How the theme is reflected in what each character
from the Birling family says or does
• Mrs. Birling takes a long time to acknowledge the
fact that they might be responsible for Eva Smith’s
death as she doesn't understand why the Inspector
is questioning them about such a matter since she
believes that because she is upper class she is
entitled to complete innocence.
Also she is very proud of her social status which
makes her ignorant as a result.
• As Eva Smith is also a lower class girl, they , the
Birling family, belittle her and find it shocking to be
linked with someone socially inferior to them. “she
was claiming elaborate fine feelings and scruples
that were simply absurd in a girl in her position” –
pg46
The role of Inspector Goole in dealing with
the theme
• From the beginning the Inspector creates “at
once an impression of massiveness, solidity and
purposefulness”, throughout the play Inspector
Goole remains confident when all the other
characters are breaking down the barrier of
classes and experience their realisations.
• The Inspector is used to represent the conscience
of the characters but to also show the point and
message of what Priestley is trying to convey
which is the idea of socialism and that everyone
is linked with each other, social responsibility.
The role of Inspector Goole in dealing with
the theme
• He becomes the voice of the working class,
especially towards the ending of his
presence in the play, his final speech; “We
don’t live alone. We are members of one
body. We are responsible for each other.”
- Inspector Goole in his final speech
summarizing the message of the play. (page
56)
How equitable society contributes to Eva
Smith’s death
• The Birlings look down on Eva and their
workers in society as the Birlings see
themselves as upper class and important, and
they are not affected / concerned by how
their actions may affect others for example
Eva Smith or the workers.
• 'She'd a lot to say – far too much – so she had
to go.' Pg 15.
• Mrs Birling says 'I don't suppose for a moment
that we can understand why the girl has
committed suicide. Girls of that class-'. Pg 30
How equitable society contributes to Eva
Smith’s death
• People with money in the play act as if they
are above the law and do not think about
how their actions may affect other people in
society. They also feel as though they can
spend vast sums of money and people with
money such as Mrs Birling come across as
arrogant and ignorant in the way she treats
other people in society.
““They just wont try to understand our
position”- Mr Birling page 45
• Eva Smith however, feels as though she is
forced into prostitution in order to support
herself after being refused help by Mrs Birling
and her charity.
How equitable society contributes to Eva
Smith’s death
• Priestly is trying to show that the easy
lives the upper class lead rests on the
hard work of the lower class. Alderman
Meggarty, a local dignitary and a
'pillar' in even went to the palace bar
every night.
Bibliography
• http://www.123helpme.com/role-of-the-inspectorin-an-inspector-calls-view.asp?id=162888
• http://www.shawfest.com/wpcontent/uploads/2011/03/Inspector_Calls_Study_Gu
ide.pdf
• http://www.thefreedictionary.com/equitable
• www.bbc.co.uk
• www.slideshare.net/sparkly/inspector-callsrevision17874109