How is capitalism shown in An Inspector Calls?
Priestley presents Capitalism as a self-absorbed, amoral systemwhere an individual’s purpose is reduced to their ability to make money. Mr Birling as symbolic of Capitalism’s dominance Priestley uses Mr Birling to reflect Capitalism’s arrogance and dominanceat the start of the century.
How is Mr Birling capitalist?
It is clear here that Mr Birling is driven by money, he is a capitalist. The fact that he sees his daughter’s engagement as a chance to push for ‘lower costs and higher prices’ shows just how greedy he is. He does not consider the impact ‘higher prices’ might have on anyone else, he just wants more money.
What does the end of Inspector Calls mean?
The characters of the play learn the earlier events of the day are fake, and they quickly forget their guilt. But at the end, the fake events prove to be a foreshadowing of what’s to come, with the news of a girl who died and an inspector on his way to question them about it.
What does Eva Smith represent?
Eva smith, represents not only responsibility but forces the Birling family to feel and accept their guilt. 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.
What is symbolic about the way Eva uses disinfectant to end her life?
Disinfectant. The Inspector reports that Eva/Daisy has killed herself by drinking “disinfectant,” which has ravaged the inside of her body. This disinfectant should, symbolically, make her “clean,” but it destroys her.
Is Eric a socialist or capitalist?
Socialist views Priestley portrays Eric to have personal views which are inherently socialist. It is important to consider why Priestley exhibits Eric has possessing these views (despite his atrociousact of raping Eva).
Which characters in An Inspector Calls are socialist?
Within An Inspector Calls, Eric can be seen as a character with socialist values. From the offset of the play, Priestley employs assertive language to hint that Eric is morally superior to his parents.
What did Eva Smith drink to kill herself?
An inspector arrives at the Birling house. He tells them how a girl called Eva Smith has killed herself by drinking disinfectant – he wants to ask them some questions. The Inspector reveals that the girl used to work in Arthur Birling’s factory and he had her sacked for going on strike.
Why is the name Daisy Renton significant?
Name connotations: Eva Smith and Daisy Renton are used as symbols to drive the plot: Eva: connotations of the first woman Eve. Daisy: symbolises innocence and purity.
How does Priestley Criticise capitalism?
Priestley criticises the selfishness of the Birling family by using a range of devices to convey his views of the class system and highlight to the reader the issues with capitalism. For example, Mrs Birling feels that it is her “duty” to refuse Eva help because she had used the name Birling.