An Inspector Calls — Themes and Key Quotes

An Inspector Calls — themes and key quotes

J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls (1945, set in 1912) is a play in which the wealthy Birling family are questioned by a mysterious Inspector Goole about the death of a young working-class woman, Eva Smith. It is a morality play attacking selfishness and inequality.

Context

• Written in 1945 (just after WWII) but set in 1912 (before both world wars). Priestley uses this gap for dramatic irony — the audience knows the disasters Mr Birling confidently dismisses are coming.
• Priestley was a socialist who believed in collective responsibility — that we are all responsible for each other.
• The play criticises capitalist selfishness and the rigid class system.

Key themes

• Social responsibility: the central message — everyone is responsible for the welfare of others.
• Class: the Birlings' wealth and the exploitation of the working class (Eva).
• Age and generational change: the younger characters (Sheila, Eric) learn and change; the older ones (Mr and Mrs Birling) don't.
• Gender: the limited power and treatment of women in 1912.

The characters' roles

• Mr Birling: arrogant capitalist; represents selfish, old-fashioned attitudes.
• Sheila and Eric: the younger generation; they accept responsibility and represent hope for change.
• Inspector Goole: the mouthpiece for Priestley's message; almost a supernatural, moral force.

Key quotations

• "A man has to make his own way." — Mr Birling's selfish individualism.
• "We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other." — the Inspector's key message.
• "Fire and blood and anguish." — the Inspector's warning of consequences.
• "But these girls aren't cheap labour — they're people." — Sheila's growth.

Worked example (essay approach)

For "How does Priestley present responsibility?", contrast the Inspector's message and the younger characters' change with the older Birlings' refusal, using quotations and linking to Priestley's socialist purpose. ✓

Common mistakes

• Retelling the plot rather than analysing Priestley's message and methods.
• Ignoring the 1912/1945 context and dramatic irony.
• Treating the Inspector as an ordinary policeman rather than a dramatic device.

Exam tips

• Use the generation divide (young change, old don't) as evidence of theme.
• Bring in dramatic irony and Priestley's socialist purpose.
• Analyse the Inspector as a device for the message.

Quick recap

• An Inspector Calls = the Birlings judged over Eva Smith's death; a morality play on social responsibility.
• Themes: responsibility, class, age/generational change, gender; set in 1912, written in 1945 (dramatic irony).
• The Inspector voices Priestley's socialist message; younger characters change, older ones don't.