How Priestley presents attitudes towards the theme of morality in An Inspector Calls Essay Example For Students

How Priestley presents attitudes towards the theme of morality in An Inspector Calls Essay The play An Inspector Calls is one that contains many broad themes, and one of these is that of morality. Morality manifests itself in many ways throughout the play, on a small scale in the individual case of the Birlings and Eva Smith, through the Inspector, and as a constant undercurrent running through the entire play, alongside other social issues like class, love and responsibility. The play also contains varied attitudes towards morality, which adds to the depth and universal message that it carries. One of the key situations in which attitudes to morality vary is the divide between young and old within the Birling family. Arthur Birling, the self-proclaimed patriarch of the family, takes a hard line towards morality. This is illustrated even before his or his familys involvement in Eva Smiths death is revealed, as he is shown to be a hard headed practical man of business, proclaiming that a man has to look after himself and his own. His attitude to morality is also highlighted by his attitude to responsibility, shown in his quote youd think everybody has to look after everybody else a man has to mind his own business. This idea is furthered when he is revealed to have a part in Eva Smiths death. Upon being questioned by the Inspector, he says that I cant accept any responsibility, and continues with If we were all responsible for everything that had happened to everybody wed had anything to do with it would be very awkward, wouldnt it? These quotes show that Mr Birlings concept of morality is that everyone is responsible for just themselves, and that morally no one person is capable of affecting another. Mr Birlings attitude towards morality is further revealed once the extent of his familys involvement in Eva Smiths demise is revealed. His main concern is not that of Eva Smiths life or affairs, but whether the honourable name of Birling will be tarnished by the events surrounding her death. For example, when Sybil is revealed to have turned down aid for Eva Smith, Birling is most concerned with the press pick(ing) up on it. Furthermore, after the full extent of his familys roles to play in the tragedy, he is not concerned with the consequences of their actions, but that I was sure of a knighthood, both of these quotes showing how his moral attitude is one of self preservation, that the rights and wrongs of an event can only be attributed t0 him if they reflect well on him- something that morally opposes him or his attitude is irrelevant. This attitude is echoed by his wife and class superior, Mrs Birling. Mrs Birlings moral groundings are clearly revealed whilst under interrogation, but like her husbands they are shown up even further after the tension is relaxed by the departure of the Inspector. One of her first lines under interrogation, Weve done a lot of work helping deserving cases shows an air of arrogance about her, as she suggests that she has the right to morally discriminate against those that she considers to be below her, showing moral prejudice. When the extent of her doings are revealed, She came to you for help, at a time when no woman could have needed it more ou not only refused it but used your influence to see that the others refused it too, shows that she, like Birling, has no real concept of collective morality, only considering how things will impact on her, with no regard for motive or the moral and physical well-being of others and how she can affect it. More importantly however, her moral attitude is reflected by the other Birling senior of the play, which can, and is interpreted by Priestley as showing how morally out of touch the older generation are. This is especially true when their attitudes to morality are compared with those of the younger generation- most notably Eric, and firstly Sheila. As soon as Sheila hears of the death of a girl, she is immediately saddened, and almost sorry for the event before she is even aware of her complicity in the chain that leads to Eva Smiths death. Examples include Oh, how horrible and (rather distressed) its just that I cant help thinking about this girl. This shows a much more reasoned and knowledgeable attitude to life and morals than Birling, and this is highlighted in her response to her own part in Eva Smiths demise- her sacking from Millwards. Sheila is clearly remorseful for her own part in Eva Smiths death, shown by lines like I felt rotten about it at the time and If I could help her now, I would. This shows Sheila is morally in touch, and realises that basic moral standards apply to anyone, whatever class or situation they find themselves in. However, her moral reasoning is more developed and vital to the play when not referring to herself, but more to those around her. Sheilas moral application in terms of the others intertwined in the case is raised consistently following her own interrogation. This is most clearly raised in the scenes following the Inspectors departure, as is common with the other characters- the release of tension being used by Priestley effectively to develop the story further. While the senior Birlings consider the fact that the Inspector was in fact not an Inspector makes a difference to what they have done, Sheila can see past this. She says that Everything we said that happened had happened and You began to learn something. Now youve stopped. This shows that Sheila can see past basic fact, and knows that morally, whatever the final consequence of any poor conduct, the conduct has still been poor and therefore cannot be condoned. How does Shakespeare Make Act 1 Scene 5Â   EssayHe says to Birling, You started it you made her pay a heavy price for that. And now shell make you pay a heavier price still, but to Sheila, simply you helped. As with Eric and Gerald, these are two extremely similar events, but morally the Inspector sharply distinguishes them. His highlighting of how Eva Smith will now make Birling pay also shows the extent of his attitude to morality- it will remain long after the actions and consequences have passed. This is furthered by I dont think any of you will forget. His final speech also contains references to this. He says that their (millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths) lives, their hopes and fears, their suffering and chance of happiness, all intertwined with our lives, and what we think and say and do. This shows the moral linking and consequence that the Inspector is shown to believe in, the cause and effect similar to they way in which he interrogates the characters and describes the girls death. Morality also manifests itself in combination with other key themes of the play, and one of these is that of responsibility. Throughout each characters response to interrogation, and the Inspectors treatment of them, morality and responsibility come up side by side. When Birling is questioned, he says that If we were responsible for everything that had happened to everyone wed ever been involved with, thatd be very awkward, wouldnt it? This shows the lack of responsibility and acceptance held by Birling, but also the lack of moral perception- the fact that an action does not have an immediate consequence either way does not make it morally wrong or right- it is the outcome that matters, as in the view presented by the Inspector. Moral responsibility as a whole is also a key theme- Sheila accepts that she behaved badly and that (she) feels responsible, combining the two themes, as she does consistently and perceptively throughout the play. The contrasting views on responsibility between Birling and the Inspector are also related to this, as they directly correspond with their contrasting views on morality. Birling repeatedly refers to himself as a man of business, and makes outlandish statements like a man must make his own way and look after himself and his own. In contrast, the Inspector states that we are not alone and we are responsible for each other. These intertwine with their contrasting views on morality- the Inspector empathises with the girls in a similar position to Eva Smith, put ourselves in the position of those young women counting their pennies, while Birling states that hed give thousands . Naturally one would assume this to be to bring her back, but Birlings moral standards are such that it is more likely to solve her own skin. Therefore, morality and responsibility are linked cleverly by Priestley, adding to the well-made feel of An Inspector Calls and furthering the universal message that can be drawn from it. Finally, the issue of morality alongside status or class is also highlighted by Priestley in An Inspector Calls. This is mainly presented in the Inspectors methods of attempting to bring some closure and moral respect for Eva Smith. Whilst he seems to fail in his approach to the senior Birlings, highlighted by their carefree attitude and moral naivety after he has left, This makes all the difference (referring to the fact there is no death), he seems to succeed in his attempts with this in the younger Birlings, with Sheila stating that if I could help her now, I would, and the Inspector brings this feeling about in her by changing the idea of status- You used the power you had to punish the girl. He also uses description of her in a positive light, pretty, had a nice little promising life. He does a similar thing with Eric- his line that (Eric) used her as an animal a thing cause him to feel The girls still dead, isnt she. He in fact effectively compares her favourably to the Birlings, the fact that she had done no harm while the Birlings had clearly harmed her. All of these points show that morality must extend to class, at least in the eyes of the Inspector, and that it is all consuming and not restricted from social band to band- his interpretation might be that no one can be ostracised from the effects of morality, however they reflect upon them. In conclusion, Priestley presents morality in many diverse contexts and guises in An Inspector Calls. He uses the social themes of the time that are still relevant today, such as responsibility and divisions in society, to emphasise the importance of morality, and how important it is in life. He also shows how perceptions and principles of morality vary from person to person, and how these ideas can link together, despite being relatively disparate in some cases. Therefore, he presents attitudes to morality through a small scale, with his An Inspector Calls, to hold a universal message that can, and must, influence anyone.