Comparing The Lives Of Sheila And Eva Smith
In 1912, the time in which "An Inspector calls" is set, British society was in a state of great unrest. Even though the play was written in 1946, Priestly reveals his opposition to materialism in society by attacking an Edwardian family with his criticism. He writes about his worries about society at the time and how they affect the community. By setting the play back in the Edwardian times, Priestly seems to be warning everyone about how the way things used to be and the dangers of the same system returning to our present society. The rich were getting richer and the poor were getting poorer. There were genuine fears of a revolution.
The community was divided into three different classes. The Aristocracy, the Middle classes and the Working classes. The Aristocracy was the richest class, where the men were very prosperous and the women stayed at home, merely welcoming guests at dinner parties and providing them with entertainment. Gerald has a mother, Lady Croft, who comes from the landed aristocracy, and a father who is a knight, so to Sheila's family her engagement represents welcome social recognition. The class below the Aristocracy is the Middle class.
This is the class in which the Birling family are from. Mr Birling's new arrival into the Middle classes was due to his wealth, which he earned through his trade. Throughout the play, Mr Birling desperately tries to protect his chances of getting a knighthood, and foolishly attempts to use his social superiority to undermine the Inspector's authority.
"I was an alderman for years- and Lord Mayor two years ago- and I'm still on the bench." Ms Birling also tries to use her husband's social position to intimidate the Inspector and is confused when this tactic fails.
QUOTE.
The lowest and worst class is the Working class. These people lived unprotected, dangerous lives with no hope for their future. This is the social class to which Eva Smith belongs. With both her parents dead, unlike Sheila, she is forced to
The community was divided into three different classes. The Aristocracy, the Middle classes and the Working classes. The Aristocracy was the richest class, where the men were very prosperous and the women stayed at home, merely welcoming guests at dinner parties and providing them with entertainment. Gerald has a mother, Lady Croft, who comes from the landed aristocracy, and a father who is a knight, so to Sheila's family her engagement represents welcome social recognition. The class below the Aristocracy is the Middle class.
This is the class in which the Birling family are from. Mr Birling's new arrival into the Middle classes was due to his wealth, which he earned through his trade. Throughout the play, Mr Birling desperately tries to protect his chances of getting a knighthood, and foolishly attempts to use his social superiority to undermine the Inspector's authority.
"I was an alderman for years- and Lord Mayor two years ago- and I'm still on the bench." Ms Birling also tries to use her husband's social position to intimidate the Inspector and is confused when this tactic fails.
QUOTE.
The lowest and worst class is the Working class. These people lived unprotected, dangerous lives with no hope for their future. This is the social class to which Eva Smith belongs. With both her parents dead, unlike Sheila, she is forced to