How does J.B Priestly convey his social message through the Birlings?

An inspector calls is a play written by J.B Priestly to convey his social message to all that see the play or read it. The play is based on a family the Birling family in Edwardian England they are having a celebration dinner party to celebrate the engagement of Shelia Birling and Gerald Croft, Shelia is the daughter of Arthur and his wife Sybil Birling, Shelias brother is Eric Birling who is a young chap that enjoys drinking. Later that evening after they are all pleased with themselves they get a visit from an inspector who reveals that they killed a young innocent woman named Eva Smith not physically but socially killed her in this essay I will be answering how does J.B Priestly convey his social message through the Birlings. His social message was that if we all take care of people around us as well as ourselves we can make the world a much better place. The Inspector is used by J.B. Priestly to express his socialist views on society. The inspector is made out to be very mysterious. J.B. Priestleys knowledge of the character's "future" enables him to make the capitalist Birlings seem wrong and arrogant by making them certain that things like the war will not happen. The inspector, however, representing socialism is making out that they will defiantly happen. This makes socialism seem to be "the truth". The inspector also seems to give them a second chance, giving the point that socialism forgives whereas capitalism does not (Mr. Birling firing Eva Smith). He gives them this second chance by fore warning them of the real inspector and allowing them to feel remorse, rather than simply being questioned about her suicide. It is not just the quotations that give us a sense of how major and important the inspector is. The lighting shows his presence and his power over the Birlings. The lighting is pink and intimate until the inspector arrives then it gets brighter and harder. This also shows the seriousness of the situation as the lighting gets harder. From this particular lighting we realise something isnt right as the theme suddenly changes from the partying happy mood, to a very serious and plain mood. J.B Priestly makes us see what kind of a family the Birlings really are and especially what kind of a man Mr. Birling is he shows us that he is an arrogant man that only cares about his family and himself a man has to make his own way has to look after himself and his family to by saying a man has to make his own way it seems as if he is implying that a man should only be aware of his own actions not have any business with other people only aware of himself and his family little does he know that he will soon find out he is completely wrong, he demonstrates this through his speech this makes the audience see that Mr. Birling isnt a nice caring person but a very selfish and foolish man the inspector uncovers his foolishness throughout the play this is one man Mr. Birling cant slip past. Not every member of the Birling family is self-absorbed and rude Priestly shows that the younger generation show more care and courtesy for the community and others around us, he shows this through two characters in the play Shelia and Eric Birling. Shelias mind opens up to the inspector and she sees what the inspector is trying to get through to the Birling family unlike her father and mother she later shows more concern for Eva Smith and if you cant tell the truth why should the inspector apologize? And cant you see both of you your making it worse this shows Shelias

got more sense then her foolish parents through this line you can tell Mr. and Mrs. Birling are trying to put the blame on someone else or trying to get rid of the inspector as soon as possible. Eric also shows concern after the inspector reveals that Eva Smith had gotten pregnant with Erics child after when Eric found out his mother refused her help he was very angered and he didnt care what his father or mother was telling him Mr. Birling was only concern with the money he stole to help out Eva Smith I dont give a damn whether I stay here or not when Eric says damn it shows he is very angered with his parents for what they did to her. The inspector, throughout the play, tries to get his message through to the Birlings as well as finding out what they did to Eva Smith. Mr and Mrs. Birling do not seem to be bothered about this message they are blinded by their selfishness with no sympathy for the poor girl, they just want to get out of the situation with her death as soon as possible so they arent held responsible. his final message hits the Birlings and for a slight moment they seem to listen to what he says and they take interest for once but just remember this one Eva Smith is gone but there are millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us, with there lives, there hopes and fears their suffering and chance of happiness all intertwined with our lives and what we say and Do we do not live alone we are all members of the same body. We are responsible for each other and I tell you the time will come if men will not learn that lesson they will be taught in fire, blood and anguish good night this is the most important message and speech throughout the play when he says millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us he is talking about fellow human beings that still have their lives that not only affect them but everyone around them we are responsible for each other and if we dont treat people around us the way we treat our friends and our loved ones it will result in disaster and terrible consequences if men will not learn that lesson they will be taught in fire, blood and anguish J.B Priestly is using the second world war as an example.Mr Birling still doesnt think about these parting words after he finds out that the inspector wasnt even a real inspector and that a girl hasnt died he again gos on about the younger generation being foolish now look at the pair of them them famous younger generation who know it all and they cant even take a joke at this moment the telephone rings only to reveal that a girl has just died and an inspector is going to arrive at the berlings house to ask some question. This is Priestly warning that if people do not change history will repeat it self. In conclusion, Priestly has gotten his social message not only to the Birlings but also to all that have read or seen the play from the inspector the moment he steps into the Birlings house even the lighting changed when the inspector arrived to the part where he says his final message and laves this one person has shown the Birlings and the audience that if we dont open our eyes to change our ways history will repeat itself from deaths to wars. This was the message Priestly was trying to convey to the world through his play