J.B. Priestleys Play An Inspector Calls :: Priestley Inspector Calls Essays

J.B. Priestley's Play "An Inspector Calls" "Why shouldn't they try for higher wages? We try for the highest possible prices. And I don't see why she should have been sacked". Eric to Mr Birling says this. Eric is drawing a comparison between the Upper class owners, and the lower class workers. Eric can see the comparison between Mr Birling trying to do the best for him, and the workers doing the same for themselves and their families. Mr Birling won't allow these sentiments, however, and sees them as a bad attitude. One can assume that this attitude is a general reflection of the attitudes held by older generation of the upper classes in 1912 as portrayed in 'An Inspector Calls', when it is set, with Mr and Mrs Birling representing the older generation of the upper class. 'An Inspector Calls' is primarily focused on he attitudes surrounding the higher classes in 1912, and how these attitudes can lead to actions with potentially devastating consequences. The attitudes are particularly aimed at women, especially those of working class status. In the play women are portrayed as second class citizens, after men. However the difference (e.g. in independence) between upper class men and women is greater than that of working class men and women. Many women living alone and supporting themselves (for example by working in factories- like Mr Birling's) and their families demonstrate this, whereas the upper class women are totally dependent on their husbands for money and accommodation. The play shows that the treatment of working class women is degrading. For example it portrays the assumptions that the working class women who are jobless are quite willing to turn to prostitution. "Have you any idea what happened to her after that? Get into trouble? Go on the streets?" Mr Birling assumes that working class woman, like Eva Smith, get into trouble regularly, and if they are fired, they turn to prostitution quickly. This shows that the attitudes are totally different between upper class and working class women. Working class women are seen as easy virtue, and whores, whilst the upper class 'virgin maidens' are almost untouchable in their purity. The upper class girls are treated with respect, and are on the whole protected. "I think you ought to go to bed now, and forget this absurd business" Mr and Mrs Birling want to protect Sheila from the horrors of affairs. However in the Edwardian society there were upper class men, who were abusive, and over domineering. For example Alderman Meggarty who tried to harass not only Eva Smith (who was working class) but a girl that Sheila knew, who must be upper class, because Sheila would only socialise in upper