How effectively does Priestly portray mankinds cruelty in his play Essay Example For Students

How effectively does Priestly portray mankinds cruelty in his play Essay An Inspector Calls was set before the First World War, but it was released after the Second World War. One of the main reasons for this was that Priestly wanted to give the audience hindsight so they would know what really happens when the characters are discussing ideology beliefs. Priestly also wanted the audience to understand what capitalist think at that time, this way he could ridicule the views of the future that some of the characters have. This way of dramatic irony is used to manipulate the audiences feelings. For example when Mr Birling is discussing war, which is a very sensitive issue, he makes a look of rash prediction which not only makes him untrustworthy it also makes the audience dislike his attitude. At the time of release of An Inspector Calls, there was growing competition from the communist/socialist east, the USSR, which influenced Priestlys socialist views. Some at that time thought that within a 10 years or so the communism and socialism would spread to the western countries. Priestly himself also believed that the lower class in Britain would one day have a revolution and over throw the upper class. The play shows many examples of cruelty dealt to the lower class by the upper class, for example Mr Birling caring more about his reputation that human life. This shows why the socialist should rebel and overthrow their capitalist leaders. Another great influence of his novel is the First and Second World War. Priestly having served through the First World War saw the horrific battles taking place. He also lost most of his friends that he had known before the war started. One of the main signs of the influence is in a speech by the inspector in fire and blood and anguish(Act 3, Page 56). When the First World War broke out, never before had the world see such a horrific war. The fire symbolises the destruction and the havoc cause by the new technology. The blood would symbolise the huge loss of human life. The anguish, which may have been one of Priestly feelings in the war, symbolises the suffering and torments that the men faced in the war. Having lived through the Second World War, it gives Priestly hindsight of the result and devastation of the war. This could also be a prophecy of wars that could come in the future if people do not treat other people fairly. This is a political message that Priestly is try to get through he manipulates the audience into think that if people dont help each other wars will appear. An other possible meaning of this quote is that the inspector is talking about judgement day were individuals will be held accountable for their abuses. Priestly is trying to focus on the wrongs that the capitalist has done, and this is a warning to them, telling them to correct their wrong or face the onsequences. However judgement day may have another interpretation it may be the day where the lower classes rebel against the upper class. Mr Birling is described as a rich businessman who was not born in a wealthy family but worked his way up society. He reflects a person in upper class, but who was not born with wealth instead worked his way up. This shows in several places in the play, one of the most obvious ones is his manners. He seems to be not aware of all the manners that come with his class; instead from time to time he shows manners that are inappropriate. For example he says Thank you to Edna the maid. Another sign is his inappropriate long speeches that he gives out during dinner, which is inappropriate since they are concerning politics and business rather than Sheila and Geralds engagement. Priestly does this to show the audience how selfish that Mr Birling. He is seizing a joyous engagement party of his daughter to boost his reputation by giving ling and tedious speeches. It seems that he cares more about the merging of his company and Geralds mothers company than Gerald and Sheilas happiness. Mr Birling also shows insecurities about his position and how others think of him. For example he tries to impress Gerald by telling him of his possible knighthood, and he hints Gerald to tell that to his mother. This shows Mr Birlings insecurity about the way that others think of him. He wants to boost his reputation by showing others of his possible accomplishment, which would make him look more respectable. This insecurity may have been cause by his past history; he may have been born in a less respectable family. He said, When I was Erics age. They worked us hard in those days and kept us short of cash. (Act one, page 9) This suggests that Birling was born in hard times; a comment, which would certainly hint humble beginnings. Priestly wished to portray Mr Birling as some one that the audience would dislike and distrust. For Birling gives very naive views of the future. He predicts that there isnt a chance of war, however this is certainly wrong, a few years later the Great War broke out and may countries were left in ruins. Birling also comments on the Titanic, which is famous for its sinking. He said, forty-six thousand eight hundred tons New York in five days and every luxury and unsinkable absolutely unsinkable. (Act one, page 7) This is also incorrect, the titanic sank on its maiden voyage, it hit an iceberg and sunk, killing many people on board, another sign of Birlings inaccurate predictions. Another thing Birling predicted was that by 1940 there would be peace everywhere. How ever in 1940 many countries where involved in World War 2. Birling also gives his opinion of how Russia is going to be behind all the other countries. Yet, Russia became not only a very advanced country, and it also became one of the super powers in the world. The winter's tale - A monologue from the play by William Shakespeare EssayThis shows that she is still deceiving herself into thinking that she us a good woman, but deep down she is actually a cold hearted woman who is willing to destroy someones life if the tarnish her reputation. The Inspector acts as a prophetic voice to what will happen in the future. For example the inspector hints the coming of the First World War, the Second World War and also the Russian revolution by saying if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught in fire and blood and anguish. In the Russian revolution socialists rose up against their capitalist leaders and overthrew the government. This may be the lesson that Priestly is hinting since the revolutionaries found it necessary to take up arms against their leaders. This is very important for the audience because all the prophecies that the inspector makes seem to come truth. The audience would automatically compare him with Mr Birlings naive guesses. This would gain the trust of the audiences for the inspector because he seems to be a truthful figure. From the play, the Inspector does not act as a normal inspector would, as he does not refrain from giving his opinion, and he would show more respect to the people that he is interviewing. He asks why didnt Birling give extra wages to Eva Smith, this is a very personal question normal inspector would avoid these kinds of questions. His name also suggests that he is a supernatural being, Goole sounds very similar to the word ghoul, and therefore could suggest that the inspector is a supernatural being, a voice from another world. The inspector also represents a voice of socialism; he represents the views of socialism. In his final speak he mention We dont live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other (Act three, page 56). This is a highly socialist view, and Priestly contrast deliberately what Mr Birling has said about a man has to make his own way has to look after himself (Act one, page 9). Mr Birlings philosophy is a vivid symbol of the capitalist society, which caused the horrific death of Eva Smith, and the Inspectors philosophy symbolises those of a socialist society which people help each other and care for each other. He tells us that we should look after one and another because We are members of one body. This comparison makes the capitalist society appear very selfish and unjust. The inspector acts a person who highlights the cruelty of the Birlings. In the beginning of play the Birlings seem to be a respectable family who dont get into much trouble. However, after the interrogation like questioning by the inspector revealed what the Birlings were really like. The walls that Sheila talks about the Birlings are building represent the deceit that the Birlings. have built around themselves. The Inspector knocks down these walls of deceit to show what the Birlings are really like. He also shows the audience what characters are really like by breaking down the outside facade. One of the last signs of cruelty show in the play is the reaction of the characters when they realize Eva Smith is not really dead. Mr and Mrs Birling are relieved that they are not guilty. They resort back to the old ways. This shows that they only care about themselves since now they will not have to face a public scandal. However they have not listened to anything that the inspector said. On the other have Sheila and Eric have still not forgotten what the inspector said. Sheila says, I tell you youve all sopped (Act 3 page 71). This shows that she has taken in what the inspector has said. Even though she is not guilty any more she still thinks about the other people in the streets. Priestly effectively portrays the cruelty of mankinds through characters such as Mr Birling and Mrs Birling, and how the death of Eva smith was the cause of their cruelty. Also he shows the audience that even though the evidence in front of Mr and Mrs Birling they still denial that they had any part in Eva Smiths death. He uses comparison with the socialist society to show how life could be a mush fairer and better for the common people. Even though this play has a dark tone, it still contains hope. For example Sheila and Eric have a totally different view on this situation than their parents. They feel what the Inspector said was correct and they also felt guilty for causing Eva Smiths death, Eric says and I say the girls thats what matters (Act 3 page 67) from here you can tell that he has stopped caring about his own reputation and started caring about Eva Smith. This could mean that Priestly is hoping the younger generation could escape the capitalist views and accept the socialist ideas.