How Does Priestley Present Power In An Inspector Calls

In J.B. Priestley's play ‘An Inspector Calls,’ Priestly presents his views on the inequalities of society through his exploration of the theme of power. Written in 1945 socialism and capitalism were pressing topics and Priestly expresses his socialist opinions through the inspector and exposes the flaws of capitalism through the fall of the Birling family. It was written as a persuasive device to a young 1945 audience who were in a state of doubt, post-war, about the capitalist beliefs of the older generation. The play aims to invite the young audience to the side of the socialist viewpoint. During his questioning of the Birling family, he exposes several, gender, class, and social inequalities to the audience as a persuasive socialist message.

In act 1, "Edna, the parlour maid, is just clearing the table ... Of dessert plates and champagne glasses" in the Birling family's house. First, the “parlour maid” describes their upper-class status because house cleaners are not something that you find in lower/middle class households. This asset makes them seem elite in class which therefore shows their power. Additionally, the “champagne” is a sign of extreme wealth because in 1912, when the play was set, it was extremely difficult to source and to obtain; it would mean you must have extremely high social standing. This presents a theme of power because we see how the Birlings can source rarities that only few people can get their hands on. Second, Mr Birling says that he could get “a knighthood of course.” The casual manner he speaks in presents the way he tries to exert his power on people. His class has allowed him to move up the rankings through business enterprising and his capitalist nature means he was able to do things quickly and ruthlessly. Furthermore, Priestly shows how as an employer Mr Birling looks down on the lower class and constantly attempts to belittle them. We see this when he attempts to justify himself saying "If you don't come down sharply of these people" they will continue begging for more. This portrays his up stuck view on the lower class and how he takes advantage of his position as an employer. Additionally, at the start of the play Mrs Birling is

In Act 1, Priestly presents Mr Birling as idiotic when he says the “there isn’t a chance of war" and that the Titanic is “unsinkable”. Priestly uses his power as the writer to make fun of Mr Birling by using irony as the audience know the war happened and the Titanic sunk. He does this so that when Mr Birling introduces his capitalist views the audience is untrusting. Furthermore, in Act 2, Sheila says that she is “to blame” and she tries to get her mother to “stop before it's too late” this presents Sheila as compassionate and smart because she takes responsibility for her actions and knows more about the inspectors plan then anyone. So, when Sheila displays her socialist attitude, the audience automatically trusts her. This presents how Priestly uses his power as the writer to influence the audience and display his socialist views. Additionally, Priestly shows the rising power of socialism through the character of the inspector. This is first done in Act 1 when Mr Birling creates “an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness”. This depicts the inspector as a strong, powerful, authoritative man and this appearance makes him seemed informed and intelligent. Priestly does this because he uses the inspector as his political voice box to support his socialist views. So when the Inspector says that “We are all members of one body” the audience accepts this message. Moreover, the decline