ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel ClickView The Theme Of Social Responsibility In An Inspector Calls
On a night filled with celebration, the Burling family gathers to toast the engagement of Sheila and Gerald. Arthur Burling, the head of the family, is in high spirits, proudly discussing his wealth and success. He believes that life is straightforward: a person should focus on their own success and take care of their family. According to him, as long as one does this, they will be safe and prosperous.
Arthur Burling represents a capitalist viewpoint, where self-interest and personal gain are paramount. He dismisses the idea of community responsibility, comparing it to a chaotic hive of bees. In contrast, the playwright J.B. Priestley, through the character of the inspector, advocates for socialism. Priestley believes in sharing wealth and responsibilities, emphasizing the importance of community support and mutual aid. He suggests that the wealthy should contribute more to help those in need, such as through higher taxes.
The celebration takes a serious turn with the arrival of an inspector, who brings news of a young woman named Eva Smith’s tragic suicide. This event becomes a catalyst for revealing the selfish actions of the Burling family. Arthur Burling had refused Eva a pay raise to protect his profits. Sheila, out of jealousy, had her dismissed from a job. Gerald had an affair with her, and Eric, in a drunken state, treated her poorly, disregarding her humanity.
Eva was pregnant with Eric’s child and sought help from a women’s charity. However, Sybil Burling, a key committee member, influenced the decision to deny her assistance. Sybil looked down on Eva, questioning her manners and dismissing her story about her husband leaving her.
Priestley uses this narrative to highlight the importance of social responsibility. He was a strong supporter of the National Health Service, which aimed to provide equal healthcare access to everyone, regardless of their financial status. He criticized charities run by wealthy individuals like Sybil Burling, who often lacked understanding of the struggles faced by the less fortunate.
Through “An Inspector Calls,” Priestley challenges the audience to reflect on their own social responsibilities. He urges people to consider the impact of their actions on others and to embrace a more compassionate and community-focused approach to life. The play serves as a reminder that our actions have consequences, and we all share a responsibility to support and uplift those around us.
Engage in a role-playing debate where you take on the roles of different characters from “An Inspector Calls.” Argue from their perspectives about the importance of social responsibility versus self-interest. This will help you understand the contrasting ideologies presented in the play.
Research the historical context of the early 20th century, focusing on the social and economic conditions that influenced J.B. Priestley’s writing. Present your findings to the class, highlighting how these conditions are reflected in the play’s themes.
Write a short story or a diary entry from the perspective of Eva Smith, exploring her thoughts and feelings about the events leading up to her tragic end. This will help you empathize with her character and understand the impact of the Burling family’s actions.
Participate in a group discussion about the relevance of social responsibility in today’s world. Compare and contrast the issues presented in the play with current social issues, and discuss how the lessons from the play can be applied today.
Organize a community service project that addresses a local need, such as volunteering at a food bank or organizing a charity event. Reflect on how this experience relates to the themes of social responsibility and community support emphasized in the play.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided transcript:
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[Music] [Music] [Music]
Employers are beginning to recognize the importance of aligning their interests with those of capital. We are entering a period of steadily increasing prosperity. On the night of the inspector’s visit, the Burling family is celebrating Sheila and Gerald’s engagement. A jovial Arthur Burling speaks openly about his wealth and good fortune.
“I don’t want to lecture you two young fellows again, but many of you don’t seem to understand that things are much easier now. A man has to make his own way, look after himself and his family. As long as he does that, he won’t come to much harm.”
Priestley’s socialist views advocate for the sharing of wealth and responsibility, emphasizing the need for community and mutual support. He believed that the wealthy could assist the poor by paying higher taxes. In contrast, Arthur Burling’s ideology is that of a staunch capitalist, who praises greed and self-preservation.
“But the way some of these people talk, you’d think that everyone has to look after everyone else, as if we’re all mixed together like bees in a hive. But take my word for it, you youngsters: I’ve learned through experience that a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own.”
The inspector arrives with news of Eva Smith’s suicide, which reveals the Burling family’s selfish behavior and sense of entitlement. For the first time, they realize that their actions have consequences. In the interest of preserving profits, Arthur Burling denied Eva a pay increase. Sheila had her fired out of vanity, Gerald took her as his mistress, and Eric used her carelessly during a drunken evening, treating her as if she were not a person.
Eva, who was pregnant with Eric’s child, was denied assistance by the women’s charity organization, largely due to Sybil Burling’s influence as a prominent committee member.
“Was it your influence that led to the help being refused? Was it or was it not your influence?”
Sybil expresses her disdain for Eva’s manners and claims that Eva had no legitimate claim to their name, stating that she wasn’t married and that her story about her husband deserting her was false.
Priestley publicly supported the formation of the National Health Service, a healthcare system designed to provide equal access to medical services for everyone, including the underprivileged. He noted that charities were often run by wealthy individuals like Sybil Burling, who lacked personal experience with poverty and desperation.
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This version maintains the essence of the original content while removing any potentially sensitive or inappropriate language.
Social Responsibility – The ethical framework that suggests individuals and organizations have an obligation to act for the benefit of society at large. – In literature, characters often grapple with social responsibility, as seen in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” where Atticus Finch defends an innocent man to uphold justice and equality.
Capitalism – An economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of goods and the means to produce them, and is driven by the profit motive. – In “The Great Gatsby,” the excesses of capitalism are depicted through the lavish lifestyles of the wealthy characters, highlighting the disparities in wealth and power.
Socialism – An economic and political system where the means of production are owned and controlled by the state or public, aiming for equal distribution of wealth. – George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” serves as an allegory for the rise of socialism and its potential pitfalls when corrupted by power.
Community – A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common, often sharing values and responsibilities. – In “The Grapes of Wrath,” the Joad family finds strength and support in the migrant community as they struggle through the hardships of the Great Depression.
Wealth – An abundance of valuable possessions or money, often explored in literature as a source of power and conflict. – Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” examines the true meaning of wealth, contrasting Scrooge’s material riches with the emotional richness of family and generosity.
Charity – The voluntary giving of help, typically in the form of money, to those in need, often portrayed as a moral duty in literature. – In Victor Hugo’s “Les Misérables,” the character of Jean Valjean demonstrates charity by helping the poor and destitute, reflecting his transformation and redemption.
Consequences – The results or effects of an action or condition, frequently explored in literature as a theme of moral and ethical decision-making. – Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” delves into the dire consequences of unchecked ambition and moral corruption, leading to the protagonist’s downfall.
Humanity – The quality of being humane; kindness and compassion towards others, often a central theme in literature. – In “The Book Thief,” the protagonist Liesel discovers the power of words to reveal the depths of humanity amidst the horrors of war.
Compassion – Sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it, a recurring theme in literature. – Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” illustrates compassion through Atticus Finch’s empathetic understanding of others, regardless of their social standing.
Engagement – The act of being involved or committed to a cause or activity, often depicted in literature as a catalyst for change. – In “Pride and Prejudice,” Elizabeth Bennet’s engagement with societal norms and personal values challenges the status quo and leads to personal growth.
