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English Literature
2 Dec 2025
33
4 pages
jemima @jemima_a
Ever wondered how money, gender, and age create unfair power structures? Priestley's "An Inspector Calls" brilliantly exposes these... Show more
You'll quickly see how class divisions shape everything in this play. The Birlings represent the wealthy upper-middle class who live in their bubble, completely disconnected from working-class struggles. Meanwhile, Eva Smith symbolises the working class - vulnerable, easily exploited, and without a voice despite her strong moral character.
Mr Birling's attitude is crystal clear he sees Eva as "disposable labour" and looks down on the working class. Mrs Birling's snobbery shows when she refuses to help Eva simply because of her class background. Even the charming Gerald exploits Eva, proving that attractive personalities can hide selfish motives.
Inspector Goole challenges this unfair system with his powerful message "We don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other." This directly opposes Mr Birling's selfish philosophy and embodies Priestley's socialist ideals.
Key Quote Alert When Sheila says "But these girls aren't cheap labour - they're people," she shows the moral growth Priestley wants from the younger generation.
Picture 1912 society where strict gender roles controlled everything. Men dominated as providers whilst women were expected to be obedient and focus on appearance and domestic life. Priestley cleverly uses these expectations to expose serious injustices.
Eva Smith suffers repeated exploitation by men throughout the play. Mr Birling fires her without care, Gerald uses her for pleasure then abandons her, and Eric takes advantage of her whilst drunk. The tragedy? Women like Eva had virtually no legal or social power to protect themselves.
The double standards are shocking. Gerald's affair gets excused by the older generation, but Eva faces shame and ruin. Mrs Birling harshly judges Eva for being unmarried and pregnant, showing how even women upheld sexist views against their own gender.
However, Sheila's character development offers hope. She transforms from shallow and sheltered to morally aware and critical of her family's actions. Her growth represents Priestley's vision for more empowered, socially conscious women.
Remember When Gerald says "Clothes mean something quite different to a woman," Priestley's exposing how men infantilised and objectified women.
The generational divide cuts right through the heart of this play. The older generation (Mr and Mrs Birling) cling desperately to traditional, conservative values, caring more about reputation and social status than genuine responsibility for their actions.
The younger generation shows real hope for change. Sheila and Eric genuinely accept their part in Eva's death and feel proper remorse. Sheila admits "I know I'm to blame - and I'm desperately sorry," whilst Eric criticises his parents for refusing to learn from their mistakes.
After the Inspector leaves, this divide becomes crystal clear. The older characters feel relieved when they think it's all a hoax, but Sheila and Eric still feel guilty because they understand the moral lessons matter regardless.
Mr Birling dismissively calls the younger generation those "who can't even take a joke," revealing his stubborn refusal to change. But Sheila recognises her parents' failure "You began to learn something. And now you've stopped."
Priestley's Message The stubborn older generation represents outdated values, whilst the younger characters embody hope for a more socially responsible future.
Here's the play's central message that'll definitely appear in your exams everyone's actions have consequences that ripple through society. Priestley wants you to understand that individual choices affect the entire community, especially vulnerable people like Eva Smith.
The Inspector serves as Priestley's voice, promoting collective responsibility with his famous warning about "fire and blood and anguish" if society doesn't change. He represents the moral authority challenging social inequality and the abuse of power.
The characters split dramatically on this theme. Sheila embraces personal responsibility, showing genuine growth and maturity when she accepts blame. Eric follows suit, demonstrating the younger generation's capacity for positive change.
Mr Birling completely denies moral responsibility, only worrying about practical consequences like public scandals. His business-first mentality highlights how the pursuit of profit often tramples on those who suffer in its wake.
Exam Tip Priestley uses the contrast between characters who accept responsibility (Sheila, Eric) and those who don't (Mr and Mrs Birling) to show his socialist message about collective care for society's vulnerable members.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
1
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Quotes from every main character
English LiteratureQuotes from every main character
English LiteratureApp Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
jemima
@jemima_a
Ever wondered how money, gender, and age create unfair power structures? Priestley's "An Inspector Calls" brilliantly exposes these social issues through the mysterious Inspector Goole's visit to the wealthy Birling family, revealing how their actions destroyed Eva Smith's life.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
You'll quickly see how class divisions shape everything in this play. The Birlings represent the wealthy upper-middle class who live in their bubble, completely disconnected from working-class struggles. Meanwhile, Eva Smith symbolises the working class - vulnerable, easily exploited, and without a voice despite her strong moral character.
Mr Birling's attitude is crystal clear: he sees Eva as "disposable labour" and looks down on the working class. Mrs Birling's snobbery shows when she refuses to help Eva simply because of her class background. Even the charming Gerald exploits Eva, proving that attractive personalities can hide selfish motives.
Inspector Goole challenges this unfair system with his powerful message: "We don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other." This directly opposes Mr Birling's selfish philosophy and embodies Priestley's socialist ideals.
Key Quote Alert: When Sheila says "But these girls aren't cheap labour - they're people," she shows the moral growth Priestley wants from the younger generation.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Picture 1912 society where strict gender roles controlled everything. Men dominated as providers whilst women were expected to be obedient and focus on appearance and domestic life. Priestley cleverly uses these expectations to expose serious injustices.
Eva Smith suffers repeated exploitation by men throughout the play. Mr Birling fires her without care, Gerald uses her for pleasure then abandons her, and Eric takes advantage of her whilst drunk. The tragedy? Women like Eva had virtually no legal or social power to protect themselves.
The double standards are shocking. Gerald's affair gets excused by the older generation, but Eva faces shame and ruin. Mrs Birling harshly judges Eva for being unmarried and pregnant, showing how even women upheld sexist views against their own gender.
However, Sheila's character development offers hope. She transforms from shallow and sheltered to morally aware and critical of her family's actions. Her growth represents Priestley's vision for more empowered, socially conscious women.
Remember: When Gerald says "Clothes mean something quite different to a woman," Priestley's exposing how men infantilised and objectified women.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
The generational divide cuts right through the heart of this play. The older generation (Mr and Mrs Birling) cling desperately to traditional, conservative values, caring more about reputation and social status than genuine responsibility for their actions.
The younger generation shows real hope for change. Sheila and Eric genuinely accept their part in Eva's death and feel proper remorse. Sheila admits "I know I'm to blame - and I'm desperately sorry," whilst Eric criticises his parents for refusing to learn from their mistakes.
After the Inspector leaves, this divide becomes crystal clear. The older characters feel relieved when they think it's all a hoax, but Sheila and Eric still feel guilty because they understand the moral lessons matter regardless.
Mr Birling dismissively calls the younger generation those "who can't even take a joke," revealing his stubborn refusal to change. But Sheila recognises her parents' failure: "You began to learn something. And now you've stopped."
Priestley's Message: The stubborn older generation represents outdated values, whilst the younger characters embody hope for a more socially responsible future.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Here's the play's central message that'll definitely appear in your exams: everyone's actions have consequences that ripple through society. Priestley wants you to understand that individual choices affect the entire community, especially vulnerable people like Eva Smith.
The Inspector serves as Priestley's voice, promoting collective responsibility with his famous warning about "fire and blood and anguish" if society doesn't change. He represents the moral authority challenging social inequality and the abuse of power.
The characters split dramatically on this theme. Sheila embraces personal responsibility, showing genuine growth and maturity when she accepts blame. Eric follows suit, demonstrating the younger generation's capacity for positive change.
Mr Birling completely denies moral responsibility, only worrying about practical consequences like public scandals. His business-first mentality highlights how the pursuit of profit often tramples on those who suffer in its wake.
Exam Tip: Priestley uses the contrast between characters who accept responsibility (Sheila, Eric) and those who don't (Mr and Mrs Birling) to show his socialist message about collective care for society's vulnerable members.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
1
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Quotes from every main character
English LiteratureQuotes from every main character
English LiteratureApp Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Sociology