Notes

Priestley presents the importance of social class through the naivety of the upper class, by exploring the authority and rights one’s social class bestows. This is conducted through the Inspector, who is a proxy for Priestley’s social and political views.

Initially, Priestley depicts the “comfortable” life of the upper class Birling family. Sheila is described as being “very pleased with life” .The adjective “very” emphasises Sheila’s contentedness and implies a satisfied, safe and secure way of life however, it depicts the "bubble" that the upper classes live, unaware of the “anguish” just outside their door, completely alienating the lower classes and creating a callous, frugal and emotionally detached society. during the Edwardian era, the hypocrisy and double standards of the leading powers, highlighted by the moral subconscious: the Inspector. Sheila proclaims to her father that “it is better to ask for the earth that to take it”, following the revelation that he dismissed (“fired”) Eva Smith from his “works”, because she asked for “higher wages” to avoid poverty. Here the imbalance between the upper and lower classes becomes evident; perhaps a conscious effort by Priestley to get rid of social segregation and instead embrace socialism

Furthermore,by villainising Mr Birling... this has a symbolic implication that capitalism is ...

In addition, despite Eva Smith being, as stated by Mr Birling, a “good worker”, his social class allowed him to fire her without repercussions, because he was threatened, highlighting Priestley implications to deep-rooted corruption in society in the way he exposes influential characters. Mr Birling habitually relies on his social class in order to get through life, which other social classes simply cannot do. Early on in the play, Mr Birling emphasises the importance of social class and status to him, by stating he “was an alderman for years – and Lord Mayor two years ago”; he has an impending “knighthood”. Each of these comments hints that there is some sort of immunity and entitlement that comes with being upper class, and that you do not need to operate within the constraints of the law.

In conclusion, Priestley presents the importance of social class by comparing the two contrasting worlds that the rich and poor exist in, encouraging an audience to embrace his socialist ideals, granting a voice to those who have been marginalised.