Criticisms in An Inspector Calls Essay -- Critics An Inspector Calls S

Criticisms in An Inspector CallsAn Inspector Calls is a very thought provoking and stirring play. Itwas obviously written to make a strong point and illustrate the amicablegap between classes. This play was written in 1945 and since then,times and situations earn changed enormously. However, this play stillhas great relevance today due to the fact that as a country we retainstrong upper class societies who be very definitely detached.In the following essay, I aim to outline the many arguments and linesof thought that this play incites. To illustrate this I will useextracts from the play. I will also use my own thoughts and opinionsBefore the Inspector enters, we are already forming opinions and viewson the characters. Mr Birling seems very worried about wealth andsocial ranking. He says to Gerald who is his daughters fianc, Youought to like this port Gerald. Finchley told me its exactly the sameport as your father gets from him. Geralds parents have a muchhigher social status th an Mr Birling, and he is obviously laborious toimpress Gerald so he will pass it on to his parents.Mrs Birling also seems very prudish and stuffy. When Mr Birling makesa gloss about the quality of the meal and asks her to inform thecook she replies with, Arthur, youre not supposed to say suchthings- Although not as obvious as her husband, she is also nerve-wracking tomake a good impression and convey the fact that she is an importantlady, with wealth and rank.She is anxious for the marriage between Sheila and Gerald to go aheadbecause she is always trying to smooth things over and make it runsmoothly. For example, when Gerald tries to get Sheila to admit howmuch he loves her and she does not r... ...n anywayor show any sorrow or repentance. I think that this shows that olderpeople find it harder to adjust and some people are just set in theirways and have no inclination to change.The play also illustrates and criticises the gap in social stature andbehaviour. If people are belie ved to be upper class then they treatanyone below them with disdain and no interest. This play isillustrating that the Inspector treats both classes with the sameattitude. He treats the Birlings with the same respect or resistancehe would to any other suspect or interviewee. He does not give thempreferential treatment and I think that this is showing how everyoneshould treat each other.The play is criticising the fact that as individuals we do not imagine the consequences of our actions, and that as a society we donot realise what one action can lead to.