Grade 9 Essay used in the real exam that achieved full marks. Includes introduction, 8 main body paragraphs and a conclusion - adaptable to any question for Inspector Calls - hits the top level of all Assessment Objectives and perfect to use for remembering Grade 9 points or as an essay in itself t...
Priestly contrasts the younger generation with the older generation to emphasise the chasm
between traditional classist views of 1912 and the more progressive socialist ideas emerging
in 1945, which Priestley strongly believed in. The play places hope in the younger generation
to encourage society to place hope in them also. Sheila and Eric are constructed as
exemplars for the transformation in society that Priestley envisions - understanding the
Inspector's lesson for a fairer, socialist society following the two World Wars.
With the arrival of the Inspector, the divide between the younger and older generation
becomes more apparent, since the younger generation begin to adopt a more liberal mindset
and realise the need to take responsibility for their actions. Eric shows signs of discordance
with his father, questioning why with “higher prices”, “higher wages” should not be given. The
repetition of the comparative “higher” perhaps normalises the notion of workers seeking
profits and is a natural instinct. Perhaps the repetition of “higher” in prices and wages
connects the desires of the upper class capitalists to the desires of the workers underneath
them, uniting the two sectors of society.
Eric directly acts as Priestley’s proxy in this exchange, since he questions Mr Birling’s
decision to sack Eva and gains confidence with the Inspector’s arrival as though he
understands the purpose the Inspector serves. Priestley shows Eric in this positive light,
questioning capitalist thinking and ideology, in order to deliver his message of how the
younger generation need to be trusted in order for Britain to progress as a strengthening,
liberal nation, which develops from the Edwardian, restricted society.
Sheila, similarly, adopts a socialist mindset and becomes accepting of the Inspector’s
message. In Act 2, Sheila too begins to understand the Inspector’s message as she “goes
close to him, wonderingly.” The physical movement of Sheila towards the Inspector, away
from her parents, reflects her movement ideologically towards socialism, since she distances
herself from her parent’s ideology, proven to be corrupt by the Inspector. Perhaps Priestly
constructs Sheila to be so responsive to change to act as an exemplar for the ideological
transformation he wishes for the audience to undergo, moving away from capitalism towards
a socialist alternative, provided by the Labour Party in the 1945 elections.
Priestley’s play, propagating the notion of a socialist society, was written and performed in
1945, when his desire for a socialist society could be achieved by voting for the new Labour
government led by Clement Attlee. Priestly continually presents Sheila therefore in such a
positive light, taking accountability and being receptive to change, to highlight the benefits of
having a society ruled without restrictions and living under the Inspector’s message of
society as “members of one body”. This is a Christian reference to the communion that 80%
of Priestley’s churchgoing audience would have heard weekly. By marrying the Christian
message to the socialist message, Priestley creates powerful positive parallels and acts as a
powerful persuasion for the audience to vote for Labour in the upcoming election - socialism.
The direct antithesis to Sheila and Eric are the older generation, who are adamant in sticking
to their traditional classist attitudes. Mr Birling “refused” to give Eva Smith the pay rise she
desired and the verb “refused” is further echoed when Mrs Birling justifies her actions of
denying Eva Smith financial support. This reiteration perhaps suggests both characters had
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