Eric shows that he, like Sheila, has changed his ways and focuses on the lessons he has been taught by the inspector behaving morally in the end of the play and refuses to revert to his former behaviour. A young aristocrat, Gerald Croft holds the highest social status in the play.
Who represents the upper class in An Inspector Calls?
In An Inspector Calls, the cast of the play does not include any lower class characters (apart from Edna The Maid – the name ‘The Maid’ emphasises the distinction between the upper and lower class). We see only the rich, upwardly mobile Birlings and the upper class Gerald Croft.
Priestley highlighted the inequality between upper, middle and working- classes. Before World War Two, Britain was divided by class. Two such classes were the wealthy land and factory owners and the poor workers.
During the time when the play was set (1912), lower class women weren’t important at all, and they were seen as cheap labour. Capitalists such as Mr Birling exploited the working-class, and socialists such as JB Priestley completely disagreed with this.
Is Sheila upper class?
Sheila is the daughter of Mr and Mrs Birling, and the sister of Eric Birling. Her status is that of firmly middle-class. She’s engaged to Gerald Croft who is of a higher social status to her.
Mrs Birling is the epitome of upper class prejudice. Her “cold” demeanor and social superiority make her particularly judgemental and blunt. suicide. Girls of that class -” (Act 2, pg 30), showing how different she thinks the working class are.
How does Gerald represent the upper class?
Priestley uses Gerald to attack the upper-classes of post-war Britain. He shows that despite outward appearances, Gerald is described as an ‘attractive chap’ and ‘well-bred’. This class of people were still capable of questionable behaviour. Gerald has an affair and initially tries to avoid telling the truth.
Priestley presents the importance of social class through the naivety of the upper class, by exploring the authority and rights one’s social class bestows. This is conducted through the Inspector, who is a proxy for Priestley’s social and political views.
Who is bourgeoisie in An Inspector Calls?
Mr. Birling is placed in the role of the bourgeoisie and presented with a cold unfeeling approach to social responsibility. He refused Eva Smith a small pay increase that would of ‘added about 12 percent to our labour costs’.
Are Birlings upper or middle class?
In the beginning, Priestley describes the Birlings’ house as ‘a fairly large suburban house’ with ‘good solid furniture of the period’, showing they are upper-middle class and that they have money. They also have servants such as a maid and a cook.
Is Mrs Birling higher class than Mr Birling?
She says “Arthur, your not supposed to say such things.” This authoritative tone of Mrs Birling shows that she takes pride in her social respectability and so wants her whole family to not ruin it. Mrs Birling is from a higher social status than Mr Birling so she is socially superior.
Priestley uses Mrs Birling as a symbol to represent the wealthier, privileged classes and their selfish attitudes. She sees the working class as morally inferior. Priestley wanted his audience to despise Mrs Birling and the ignorant social snobbery she represents.
Mrs Birling’s power allows her to act in a patronising manner to everyone around her. She is described to be her ‘husband’s social superior’ showing how she was of a higher class and had married down.
What class is Edna in An Inspector Calls?
lower class citizen
Edna is a _’parlourmaid’ _which means that she works for the family like a servant. She is a lower class citizen and regarded as being Working Class.
Who makes the upper class?
Today, celebrities, politicians, investors, and other wealthy individuals fall into this group. In the United States, those who lived—and continue to live—in leadership roles in society are often considered part of the upper class. These are people whose status has been passed down through generations.
What is the upper class called?
In the United States, the upper class, as distinguished from the rich, is often considered to consist of those families that have for many generations enjoyed top social status based on their leadership in society — also referred to as old money.
What class is the inspector in An Inspector Calls?
middle-class police
For most of the play he is presented as a middle-class police Inspector. However, behind that façade, he may be the voice of God; the voice of the deceased Eva Smith; he may simply be seen as a moral conscience explaining Priestley’s key message about ending social injustice.
Who is proletariat in An Inspector Calls?
Eva Smith
Eva Smith represents the proletariat, who has been exploited by the bourgeoisie. Mr. Birling represents capitalist ideas and the belief that profit is key. The Inspector hints at social revolution when he speaks of ‘fire and blood and anguish’ if the bourgeoisie do not change their behaviour.
Why does Mr Birling mention his societal positions to the inspector?
Social and historical context
Priestley uses him to show the audience that the Eva Smiths of the world will continue to suffer if people like Birling remain in positions of power.
How does Eva Smith represent the working class?
She is the symbol of the working class within a capitalist society; ‘smith’ being a common surname represents the common working man and more specifically woman. This implies she is an object, used and abused by the Birlings whom are the typical representation of the bourgeoisie (middle/upper class) part of society.
What does Mrs Birling represent?
Sybil Birling, like her husband Arthur, represents a type of middle-class snobbery that existed prior to the World Wars. Priestley hoped that these sorts of attitudes would die out, and uses Mrs Birling to show how they can lead to cold and thoughtless behaviour.