An Inspector Calls Themes

Responsibility: Responsibility is arguably the most important theme in the play. The words 'responsible' and 'responsibility' appear a considerable number of times in the play. At the beginning of the play, Mr. Birling gives his interpretation of 'responsibility' in his speech. Towards the end of the play the inspector gives his alternative interpretation. These speeches reflect the opposing viewpoints in the play:                                                                                                                               Individual responsibility vs. collective responsibility                                                                                                                                           Conservatism vs. Socialism The author, Priestly, makes it clear that he supports one view and opposes the other.

Social Hierarchy: Social hierarchy is the way that society is ordered. Everybody fits into divided layers. Which layer a person fits into depends on the family they come are born into and the amount of money they earn or receive. Aristocracy (lords and ladies)- This is the class of people that Gerald's family is from (his mother is referred o as lady Croft) and Mrs. Birling (who is noted as Mr. Birling's social superior). Mr. Birling is keen to be knighted because he would be automatically be moved up the social hierarchy into this higher class of people. Upper Class- The Birling family are upper class; they own a numerous amount of factories, therefore are very wealthy but were nit born into money like the aristocratic class. Mr. and Mrs. Birling are keen for Shelia to marry Gerald because she would be rising above her social class. Working Class- Eva Smith is art of the 'disposable working class and is at the bottom of the social hierarchy. The Birlings and Gerald treat Eva as disposable because she has no social status and they don't realise how they effect her life.

Gender: An Inspector calls was written after WWII. In this time, most of the men were off at war so that left the women at home to do all the jobs. This helped change peoples perceptions and men had to acknowledge that women were just as capable as doing jobs as men. As a result of this, many women enjoyed this newfound freedom that working and earning money allowed them. Not all men saw this change for the good and were stuck in the past. Priestly explored the new gender roles in Eva Smith and Mr. Birlings sexist views. This is present throughout the play as it is displayed in how Mr. Birling and Gerald Croft treat women as well as how Eva Smith is portrayed as independent and outspoken before her death. Another example is how Ms. Birling treats Eva in the play.

The Generation Gap: Priestly uses age and the generation gap to show how he believed that there was hope in the younger generations ability to learn. The older generations characters are stubbornly fixed and do not change throughout the play. Mr. Birling refuses to learn and Mrs. Birling cannot see the obvious about herself and her children. Eric and Shelia however are younger - they accepted their mistakes and in doing so offer a chance for a brighter future. The generation gap is shown in the play through Eric and Shelia's response to Eva's death, Mr. and Mrs. Birling's response to Eva's death and how the older characters perceive the younger characters.