Introduction

Themes are the big ideas that run throughout a text. In An Inspector Calls, Priestley uses the characters, plot and Inspector Goole to explore important social and political issues.

The most important themes are:

  • Social Responsibility
  • Class Inequality
  • Capitalism vs Socialism
  • Generational Divide
  • Gender
  • Power
  • Guilt and Remorse

Understanding these themes will help you answer both character and essay questions in the GCSE exam.

Social Responsibility

What is Social Responsibility?

Social responsibility means caring about the welfare of other people and recognising how our actions affect society.

This is the most important theme in the play.

How Priestley Presents It

The Inspector believes:

“We are members of one body.”

He argues that:

  • Everyone is connected.
  • Actions have consequences.
  • People must care for one another.

Each member of the Birling family contributes to Eva Smith’s suffering.

Priestley shows that selfish actions can have serious consequences for others.

Characters Linked to This Theme

Accept Responsibility

  • Sheila
  • Eric

Reject Responsibility

  • Mr Birling
  • Mrs Birling

Class Inequality

What is Class Inequality?

Class inequality refers to differences in power, wealth and opportunities between social groups.

How Priestley Presents It

The Birlings belong to the wealthy upper-middle class.

Eva Smith represents the working class.

Throughout the play:

  • Rich characters hold power.
  • Poor characters have limited opportunities.
  • Working-class people are often treated unfairly.

Priestley criticises the unfair class system of 1912.

Examples

Mr Birling

Dismisses workers who ask for better wages.

Mrs Birling

Refuses to help Eva because of her social status.

Sheila

Initially abuses her privilege but later recognises her mistake.

Capitalism vs Socialism

Capitalism

Capitalism focuses on:

  • Profit
  • Individual success
  • Personal responsibility

Character

Mr Birling represents capitalism.

He believes:

“A man has to make his own way.”

Socialism

Socialism focuses on:

  • Equality
  • Cooperation
  • Community responsibility

Character

Inspector Goole represents socialism.

He argues that people must support each other.

Priestley’s Message

Priestley presents socialism more positively than capitalism.

He suggests society improves when people care for one another rather than focusing only on personal success.

Generational Divide

What is the Generational Divide?

This theme explores differences between older and younger generations.

Older Generation

Mr Birling

  • Stubborn
  • Selfish
  • Resistant to change

Mrs Birling

  • Judgmental
  • Arrogant
  • Unwilling to learn

The older generation refuse responsibility.

Younger Generation

Sheila

  • Learns from mistakes
  • Accepts blame

Eric

  • Shows guilt
  • Accepts responsibility

Priestley presents young people as the hope for the future.

Gender

Gender Expectations

The play is set in 1912 when society had strict expectations for men and women.

Women

Women were expected to:

  • Be obedient
  • Marry well
  • Depend on men

Sheila

At the beginning:

  • Sheltered
  • Dependent

By the end:

  • Independent
  • Confident
  • Mature

Eva Smith

Eva experiences unfair treatment because she is:

  • Working-class
  • Female
  • Vulnerable

Priestley highlights the difficulties faced by women in Edwardian society.

Power

Types of Power

Characters use:

  • Economic power
  • Social power
  • Gender power

Mr Birling

Uses his position as a factory owner to dismiss Eva.

Mrs Birling

Uses her influence in a charity organisation to refuse help.

Sheila

Uses her status as a wealthy customer to get Eva fired.

Inspector Goole

Uses moral authority to challenge the powerful.

Guilt and Remorse

What is Guilt?

Guilt is the feeling of responsibility for wrongdoing.

Sheila

Immediately feels guilty after learning about her role in Eva’s life.

Eric

Feels ashamed about his treatment of Eva.

Mr and Mrs Birling

Show little genuine guilt.

They care more about reputation than morality.

Priestley’s Message

Priestley suggests that accepting guilt is necessary for personal growth and social improvement.

Theme Connections

Many themes overlap throughout the play.

ThemeLinked Themes
Social ResponsibilityGuilt, Socialism, Generational Divide
Class InequalityPower, Capitalism
CapitalismClass, Power
SocialismResponsibility, Equality
GenderClass, Power
GuiltResponsibility, Change

Key Theme Quotes

Responsibility

“We are members of one body.”

Capitalism

“A man has to make his own way.”

Class

“Girls of that class.”

Equality

“These girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people.”

Consequences

“Fire and blood and anguish.”

GCSE Practice Questions

1 Mark Questions

Q1

Which theme is most strongly associated with Inspector Goole?

Q2

Which character represents capitalism?

Q3

Name one character who accepts responsibility.

Q4

Which social class does Eva Smith belong to?

2 Mark Questions

Q5

Give two examples of social inequality in the play.

Q6

State two ways Sheila changes.

Q7

Give two examples of power being used unfairly.

Q8

State two characteristics of the younger generation.

3 Mark Questions

Q9

Explain how Priestley presents social responsibility.

Q10

Describe how class affects Eva Smith’s life.

Q11

Explain how the Inspector represents socialist ideas.

Q12

Describe one way gender influences events in the play.

4 Mark Questions

Q13

Explain how Priestley presents the conflict between capitalism and socialism.

Q14

Explain how the theme of guilt is presented.

Q15

Explain how Priestley presents class inequality.

Q16

Explain how the generational divide is shown in the play.

6 Mark Questions

Q17

How does Priestley present social responsibility as the most important theme in the play?

Q18

Explain how Priestley uses the theme of class throughout the play.

Q19

How does Priestley present the differences between the older and younger generations?

8 Mark Questions

Q20

Explore how Priestley uses themes in An Inspector Calls to communicate his message about society.

Answers

Q1

Social responsibility.

Q2

Mr Birling.

Q3

Sheila or Eric.

Q4

Working class.

Q5

  • Eva is dismissed from her factory job.
  • Mrs Birling refuses her charity support.

Q6

  • She becomes more responsible.
  • She becomes more mature.

Q7

  • Mr Birling fires Eva.
  • Sheila gets Eva dismissed from Milwards.

Q8

  • Accept responsibility.
  • Learn from mistakes.

Q9

Priestley presents social responsibility through the Inspector’s message that people are connected and must care for one another. The events involving Eva demonstrate the consequences of failing to do this.

Q10

Eva’s working-class status limits her opportunities and leaves her vulnerable to the decisions of wealthier individuals.

Q11

The Inspector argues that society should work together and support vulnerable people. These ideas reflect socialism.

Q12

Women in 1912 had fewer opportunities and were often dependent on men. Eva’s experiences reflect these inequalities.

Q13

Priestley contrasts Mr Birling’s belief in self-interest with the Inspector’s belief in collective responsibility. Through this conflict, he promotes socialist values.

Q14

Sheila and Eric feel genuine guilt and learn from their mistakes. Mr and Mrs Birling focus mainly on avoiding embarrassment and refuse to accept responsibility.

Q15

The wealthy characters use their social status to influence Eva’s life. Priestley shows how working-class people were often powerless and vulnerable.

Q16

The younger generation accept responsibility and want to change, while the older generation refuse to learn from the Inspector’s message.

Q17 (6 Marks)

Priestley presents social responsibility as the central theme of the play. Through the Inspector, he shows that individuals have duties towards one another. Each member of the Birling family contributes to Eva Smith’s suffering, demonstrating how actions affect others. Sheila and Eric learn this lesson, while the older generation reject it. The Inspector’s final speech emphasises Priestley’s belief that society must accept collective responsibility.

Q18 (6 Marks)

Class is presented as a major source of inequality throughout the play. Eva Smith experiences hardship because she is poor and lacks power. Characters such as Mr and Mrs Birling use their wealth and influence against her. Priestley criticises this unfair system and encourages greater equality between social groups.

Q19 (6 Marks)

Priestley uses the older generation to represent stubborn and outdated attitudes. Mr and Mrs Birling refuse responsibility and focus on their reputation. In contrast, Sheila and Eric accept blame and learn from the Inspector’s message. Priestley suggests that younger people are more capable of creating a fairer society.

Q20 (8 Marks)

Priestley uses a range of themes to communicate his message about society. Social responsibility is presented through the Inspector’s belief that everyone is connected. Class inequality is shown through Eva Smith’s treatment, while capitalism and socialism are explored through the contrasting views of Mr Birling and the Inspector. The generational divide highlights the possibility of change, as Sheila and Eric learn from their mistakes. Through these themes, Priestley encourages the audience to build a more equal and responsible society.