Gender Roles and Women's Position in Society

An Inspector Calls provides a nuanced exploration of gender roles and the position of women in early 20th century British society. Priestley uses the female characters to challenge prevailing attitudes and highlight the limitations placed on women during this period.

Highlight: The play presents a spectrum of female experiences, from the privileged Sheila Birling to the working-class Eva Smith, illustrating how class intersects with gender in shaping women's opportunities and challenges.

The male characters often exhibit sexist attitudes that reflect the era's norms:

Quote: Mr. Birling states, "clothes mean something quite different to a woman," objectifying women and suggesting they are primarily concerned with appearance.

Quote: Gerald's comment, "I hate those dough-faced women," reveals his superficial judgment of women based on their looks.

However, Priestley challenges these attitudes through character development:

1. Sheila evolves from a naive, sheltered girl to a more aware and assertive woman.
2. Eva Smith, though never seen on stage, is portrayed as a strong, principled individual who refuses to accept charity when it's offered condescendingly.

Example: Sheila's questioning of Gerald's involvement with Eva demonstrates a shift in power dynamics within their relationship.

The play also highlights the limited options available to women, especially those of lower social status:

• Mrs. Birling's involvement in charity work is presented as one of the few socially acceptable activities for upper-class women.
• Eva's struggles, including her inability to find respectable work and her vulnerability to exploitation, underscore the precarious position of working-class women.

Highlight: The treatment of Eva Smith's pregnancy out of wedlock reflects the harsh moral judgments and lack of support for women in such situations during this period.

Through these portrayals, Priestley critiques the gender inequalities of his time and advocates for a society where women have more agency and equal opportunities.

Social Responsibility and Moral Accountability

J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls serves as a powerful critique of individualism and a call for collective social responsibility. The play argues that individuals, especially those in positions of privilege, have a moral obligation to consider the welfare of others and the broader impact of their actions on society.

Quote: "We are responsible for each other," declares the Inspector, encapsulating Priestley's central message and serving as the playwright's mouthpiece for his socialist ideals.

The play contrasts two opposing worldviews:

1. Capitalist Individualism: Represented by Mr. Birling, who believes "a man has to mind his own business, look after himself and his own."
2. Social Responsibility: Embodied by the Inspector, who argues that "public men have responsibilities as well as privileges."

Priestley uses the characters' reactions to Eva Smith's death to explore different levels of moral accountability:

• The older generation (Mr. and Mrs. Birling) refuse to accept any responsibility, representing entrenched capitalist attitudes.
• The younger generation (Sheila and Eric) show more willingness to acknowledge their faults and express remorse.

Quote: "I'll never, never do it again. I'm desperately sorry," says Sheila, demonstrating genuine remorse and a desire to change.

The play suggests that accepting responsibility is the first step towards creating a more just society:

Highlight: Eric's frustration with his parents' refusal to accept responsibility reflects the generational divide in attitudes towards social accountability.

Priestley argues that social responsibility extends beyond individual actions to encompass broader societal structures:

Example: The charity organization run by Mrs. Birling represents an inadequate and often condescending approach to addressing social inequalities.

Through the Inspector's revelations and the characters' varying responses, the play advocates for a more compassionate and interconnected society where individuals recognize their role in shaping collective outcomes.

Time as a Central Theme

J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls masterfully weaves the theme of time throughout the narrative, creating a complex tapestry of past, present, and future. The play's unique structure, set entirely in one night, allows for a dramatic exploration of how time impacts the characters and their actions.

Highlight: The play is set in 1912 but written in 1945, creating dramatic irony as the audience knows about future events like World War I and the sinking of the Titanic, while the characters remain oblivious.

Priestley uses this temporal disconnect to critique the complacency of pre-war society and to emphasize the interconnectedness of actions across time. The characters' memories and revelations about Eva Smith's life are presented as a series of flashbacks, demonstrating how past actions have present consequences.

Quote: "If it didn't end badly, then that's lucky for us," reflects the characters' initial attitude that consequences only matter if they lead to immediate negative outcomes.

The play's structure raises questions about the nature of time itself. The circular nature of the plot, with the phone call at the end mirroring the Inspector's earlier revelations, suggests a cyclical view of time or even the possibility of premonition.

Vocabulary: Ouspensky's theory of time, which influenced Priestley, posits that time is not linear but multidimensional, allowing for the possibility of foreknowledge or repetition of events.

This complex treatment of time adds depth to the play's themes of responsibility and social change, suggesting that the characters' actions have far-reaching consequences beyond their immediate perception.