This An Inspector Calls model answers PDFexplores Priestley's critique... Show more
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Updated Apr 9, 2026
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This An Inspector Calls model answers PDFexplores Priestley's critique... Show more

This section of the Grade 9 Inspector Calls essay delves deeper into specific instances of class prejudice and their repercussions within the play. It focuses on two key events: Mrs. Birling's refusal to help a girl in need and Sheila's actions leading to Eva Smith's dismissal from Milwards.
Mrs. Birling's interaction with the charity-seeking girl (presumably Eva Smith) serves as a powerful illustration of how class prejudice can have dire consequences. As a "prominent member" of the charity organization, Mrs. Birling's duty was to assist those in need. However, her deeply ingrained class biases led her to reject the girl's plea for help.
Quote: "I don't suppose for a moment that we can understand why the girl committed suicide. Girls of that class-"
This statement from Mrs. Birling encapsulates her dismissive attitude towards working-class individuals. The use of "that class" creates a clear division between her perceived social status and that of the less fortunate, demonstrating the othering effect of class prejudice.
Highlight: Priestley uses Mrs. Birling's character to show how class-based prejudice can override even institutionalized forms of charity, leading to the failure of social support systems.
The incident involving Sheila and Eva Smith at Milwards further exemplifies the power imbalance between social classes. Sheila, using her family's social and economic influence, was able to have Eva fired from her job over a perceived slight.
Example: Sheila's ability to get Eva fired from Milwards demonstrates how members of the upper class could easily abuse their power and influence to the detriment of working-class individuals.
These events highlight Priestley's critique of a society where class divisions allow for the exploitation and mistreatment of the less privileged. The author uses these incidents to illustrate how a lack of social responsibility and empathy, rooted in class prejudice, can lead to tragic outcomes.
Vocabulary: Social responsibility - The idea that individuals and organizations have a duty to act in the best interests of society and the environment.
Through these examples, Priestley challenges his audience to reconsider their own class-based attitudes and behaviors. He suggests that a more equitable society, free from such rigid class distinctions, would be less prone to the kind of tragedy that befalls Eva Smith in the play.

Priestley's exploration of social class in "An Inspector Calls" is a central theme that drives the narrative and character development. The author uses the upper-middle-class Birling family to illustrate the stark divisions in Edwardian society and critique the destructive nature of class-based prejudice.
Highlight: Priestley sets the story in 1912, during the Edwardian era, to emphasize the rigid social divisions of the time and contrast them with his 1946 audience's perspective.
The play's structure revolves around the investigation of Eva Smith's death, a working-class woman who falls victim to the actions and attitudes of the more privileged characters. Through this narrative device, Priestley exposes the harmful consequences of social inequality and the lack of responsibility felt by those in positions of power.
Quote: "Girls of that class-" - Mrs. Birling
This quote exemplifies the condescending attitude of the upper classes towards working-class individuals. Mrs. Birling's use of the phrase "girls of that class" demonstrates her prejudice and the way she distances herself from those she considers beneath her social standing.
Vocabulary: Infantilize - To treat someone as if they are much younger than their actual age, often in a way that is patronizing or belittling.
Priestley's critique extends to the performative nature of upper-class charity work. Mrs. Birling's involvement in the "Brumley Women's Charity Organisation" is portrayed as a social obligation rather than a genuine desire to help those in need. This hypocrisy is further highlighted when Mrs. Birling refuses to assist a desperate young woman, likely Eva Smith, due to her class prejudices.
Example: Mrs. Birling's refusal to help a working-class girl who comes to her charity organization demonstrates how class prejudice can override the supposed charitable intentions of the upper classes.
The author's socialist beliefs are evident in his portrayal of these class dynamics. By exposing the flaws in the class system, Priestley aims to encourage his audience to reflect on their own attitudes and behaviors towards those less fortunate.
Definition: Socialism - A political and economic theory advocating for collective ownership and democratic control of the means of production and distribution of goods.
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.
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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 Knowunity AI. 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 Knowunity AI. 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
This An Inspector Calls model answers PDF explores Priestley's critique of social class inequality in Edwardian Britain. The analysis focuses on how the author uses an upper-middle-class family to highlight societal divisions and their consequences.
Key points:

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This section of the Grade 9 Inspector Calls essay delves deeper into specific instances of class prejudice and their repercussions within the play. It focuses on two key events: Mrs. Birling's refusal to help a girl in need and Sheila's actions leading to Eva Smith's dismissal from Milwards.
Mrs. Birling's interaction with the charity-seeking girl (presumably Eva Smith) serves as a powerful illustration of how class prejudice can have dire consequences. As a "prominent member" of the charity organization, Mrs. Birling's duty was to assist those in need. However, her deeply ingrained class biases led her to reject the girl's plea for help.
Quote: "I don't suppose for a moment that we can understand why the girl committed suicide. Girls of that class-"
This statement from Mrs. Birling encapsulates her dismissive attitude towards working-class individuals. The use of "that class" creates a clear division between her perceived social status and that of the less fortunate, demonstrating the othering effect of class prejudice.
Highlight: Priestley uses Mrs. Birling's character to show how class-based prejudice can override even institutionalized forms of charity, leading to the failure of social support systems.
The incident involving Sheila and Eva Smith at Milwards further exemplifies the power imbalance between social classes. Sheila, using her family's social and economic influence, was able to have Eva fired from her job over a perceived slight.
Example: Sheila's ability to get Eva fired from Milwards demonstrates how members of the upper class could easily abuse their power and influence to the detriment of working-class individuals.
These events highlight Priestley's critique of a society where class divisions allow for the exploitation and mistreatment of the less privileged. The author uses these incidents to illustrate how a lack of social responsibility and empathy, rooted in class prejudice, can lead to tragic outcomes.
Vocabulary: Social responsibility - The idea that individuals and organizations have a duty to act in the best interests of society and the environment.
Through these examples, Priestley challenges his audience to reconsider their own class-based attitudes and behaviors. He suggests that a more equitable society, free from such rigid class distinctions, would be less prone to the kind of tragedy that befalls Eva Smith in the play.

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Improve your grades
Join milions of students
Priestley's exploration of social class in "An Inspector Calls" is a central theme that drives the narrative and character development. The author uses the upper-middle-class Birling family to illustrate the stark divisions in Edwardian society and critique the destructive nature of class-based prejudice.
Highlight: Priestley sets the story in 1912, during the Edwardian era, to emphasize the rigid social divisions of the time and contrast them with his 1946 audience's perspective.
The play's structure revolves around the investigation of Eva Smith's death, a working-class woman who falls victim to the actions and attitudes of the more privileged characters. Through this narrative device, Priestley exposes the harmful consequences of social inequality and the lack of responsibility felt by those in positions of power.
Quote: "Girls of that class-" - Mrs. Birling
This quote exemplifies the condescending attitude of the upper classes towards working-class individuals. Mrs. Birling's use of the phrase "girls of that class" demonstrates her prejudice and the way she distances herself from those she considers beneath her social standing.
Vocabulary: Infantilize - To treat someone as if they are much younger than their actual age, often in a way that is patronizing or belittling.
Priestley's critique extends to the performative nature of upper-class charity work. Mrs. Birling's involvement in the "Brumley Women's Charity Organisation" is portrayed as a social obligation rather than a genuine desire to help those in need. This hypocrisy is further highlighted when Mrs. Birling refuses to assist a desperate young woman, likely Eva Smith, due to her class prejudices.
Example: Mrs. Birling's refusal to help a working-class girl who comes to her charity organization demonstrates how class prejudice can override the supposed charitable intentions of the upper classes.
The author's socialist beliefs are evident in his portrayal of these class dynamics. By exposing the flaws in the class system, Priestley aims to encourage his audience to reflect on their own attitudes and behaviors towards those less fortunate.
Definition: Socialism - A political and economic theory advocating for collective ownership and democratic control of the means of production and distribution of goods.
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.
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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 Knowunity AI. 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 Knowunity AI. 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