An Inspector Calls - Write fully about one of the characters in the play. :: English Literature:

An Inspector Calls - Write fully about one of the characters in the play. Write fully about one of the characters in the play. Take into account what they have done before the play begins as well as their actions, words and attitudes during the course of the play. Write about the way attitudes, moods and opinions change and develop during the course of the action on the stage. An Inspector Calls is a play with many social and political messages. J. B. Priestley believed a great deal in socialism and he used several of his plays to try and influence people to his way of thinking. It was written in a time when Britain was ruled by a Labour government and socialist policies were seen as the way forward. It was a popular way of thinking at that time so Priestley's aim for the play was probably to teach the unconvinced. The play is set in the house of the Birling family. As soon as the curtains open, it is clear that the family is wealthy because there is high quality furniture and decoration in the house in which the play is set. The family use their house as a status symbol and have decorated it in a way so as to reflect their wealth. We learn this from the "few imposing but tasteless pictures" which will probably have been chosen because they were expensive, not because they were liked. These pictures also tell us that the Birlings are proud of their wealth and think themselves to be very important but lack the good taste which is present in those who are socially superior to them. The house is described as being "substantial and comfortable and old-fashioned, but not cosy and homelike." This setting suggests that the family are uncomfortable with each other and therefore suggests problems. We gather from the Birling family they are of an upper-middle social class, who think themselves to be of a very high status. Eric Birling the character I am going to focus on does not seem to be understood by the rest of the characters. His sister Sheila and he are still treated as if they were still children "What an expression, Sheila! Really the things you girls pick up these days!" Mr and Mrs Birling have a lack of understanding of the younger generation, particularly their offspring. They try to control their lives as this was the norm with generations prior to theirs, "Just let me finish, Eric. You've a lot to learn yet." Here we can see that the elders in the family have the first and last say in many matters.