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An Inspector Calls- Essays 100% Solved
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An Inspector Calls- Essays 100% Solved How does Priestley use the Inspector to voice his message on Social Responsibility? Correct
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An Inspector Calls- Essays 100% SolvedHow does Priestley use the Inspector to voice his message on Social Responsibility? Correct
Ans-Indeed, it may be said that An Inspector Calls is a play more centered on themes and ideas
than one driven by plot. Hence, Priestley uses a number of devices throughout the text to convey
his ideas about social responsibility - juxtaposition being perhaps one of the more significant
strategies employed by Priestley to highlight his ideas about the community and social
responsibility. Thus, when Mr Birling - a stereotypical construct of Aristocratic English society -
presents his monologue about the "unsinkable Titanic" and the "scaremongers making a fuss
about nothing", the audience are immediately made aware of his ignorance and self-inflated,
pompous attitude, thus casting doubt over his capitalist ideas about "mind[ing] his own
business". This, then, is in direct contrast to the Inspector's message on socialism, further
highlighted by the clever timing of the doorbell which is designed not only to unnerve the
audience and the characters, but to create a conflict between Mr Birling and the Inspector.
This conflict between the Inspector and Arthur Birling serves as a powerful dichotomy of ideas -
between capitalism and socialism - and is thus amply exploited by Priestley to highlight both the
way things were in British society during the Pre-World War 1 era, and the immense need for
change. This juxtaposition and power play, thus, add strength to the ideas presented by Priestley.
The use of the Inspector as author surrogate gives further credence to the socialist ideal and is
enforced through Priestley's clever crafting of characters; Birling who is set up as a
sanctimonious, arrogant, yet ignorant fool is juxtaposed by the Inspector - a modest, yet
informed individual who represents the common people; Mrs Birling who is clearly disliked by
Priestley himself, is portrayed as an egotistical, uncaring and self-import
How does Priestley use the character of the inspector to suggest ways that society could be
improved? Correct Ans-The inspector is used as a proxy for Priestley and embodies his
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