IGCSEEnglish LiteratureEdexcelRevision NotesModern DramaAn Inspector Calls An Inspector Calls Key Theme: Capitalism vs Socialism

An Inspector Calls Key Theme: Capitalism vs Socialism (Edexcel IGCSE English Literature) : Revision Note

Nick Redgrove

Written by: Nick Redgrove

Reviewed by: Deb Orrock

Updated on

Capitalism vs socialism timeline

The theme of capitalism versus socialism in each Act of An Inspector Calls:

An Inspector Calls capitalism versus socialism
An Inspector Calls capitalism versus socialism timeline

What are the elements of capitalism vs socialism in An Inspector Calls?

Priestley presents capitalism vs socialism in An Inspector Calls through his characterisation: 

  • The Inspector: Embodies socialism; his investigation and moralistic speeches condemn how the poor and impoverished are victims of capitalist greed

  • Mr Birling and Gerald Croft: Represent the greedy industrialists who treat workers like Eva Smith as cheap labour and refuse to raise wages

  • Eva Smith: Her tragic fate shows the destructive potential of capitalism: she was fired for seeking a living wage, and denied charity on the basis of her perceived worth

The impact of capitalism vs socialism on characters

Priestley, as a socialist, believed that wealth should be distributed throughout society, and that the wealthy and privileged have a responsibility to support the poorest in society. The play attacks the most selfish elements of capitalism by emphasising its amoral qualities:

Capitalism versus socialism in An Inspector Calls
Capitalism versus socialism in An Inspector Calls

Character

Impact

The Birlings and Gerald

  • Priestley contrasts the comfortable, affluent life of the Birlings with the distressing account of Eva’s wretched life: 

    • Gerald, son of the wealthy Crofts, also believes that Mr Birling was correct to sack a ‘troublemaker’

  • Mr Birling, resistant to the Inspector’s message, protects his business to maximise profits: 

    • He treats his workers with contempt, displaying no sense of responsibility or concern for their welfare  

The Inspector

  • The Inspector personifies socialist ideology by acting for the benefit of others rather than himself:

    • His central message is that everyone is connected by a “chain of events”; the actions of the upper classes affect the less fortunate

  • The Inspector seizes control of the Birlings’ celebration, symbolising Priestley’s hope that socialism could overcome capitalism

Eva

  • Despite being a good worker, Eva is exploited and marginalised by the capitalist system:

    • Priestley, through the Inspector, maintains that such a system creates inequalities in society and prevents social mobility

Why does Priestley use the theme of capitalism vs socialism in his play?

1.  Setting and period

  • Priestley underscores how the wealthiest in society enjoy privileges and lives of excess, but are blind to the effects of their actions on the less fortunate in society

  • The play is a microcosm of capitalist society, set in an industrial city, in the home of a wealthy manufacturer

2. Plot driver 

  • The play’s plot demonstrates what happens when powerful, greedy people prioritise money over the wellbeing of their fellow citizens

  • For Priestley, Eva Smith represents “millions and millions and millions” of impoverished people, oppressed by an economic system that puts profit before people

3. Audience appeal 

  • Priestley’s 1945 audience was a more progressive and responsible generation, aware of workers’ rights and the rights of women like Eva

  • Mr and Mrs Birling and Gerald reflect an outdated ideology from which society was seeking to move away

Exam-style questions on the theme of capitalism vs socialism

Try planning a response to the following essay questions as part of your revision of this theme: 

  •  Explore how Priestley presents different attitudes towards social responsibility in An Inspector Calls?

  • How does Priestley use Mr Birling to represent capitalism in An Inspector Calls?

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Author
Reviewer
Nick Redgrove

Author: Nick Redgrove

Expertise: English Senior Content Creator

Nick is a graduate of the University of Cambridge and King’s College London. He started his career in journalism and publishing, working as an editor on a political magazine and a number of books, before training as an English teacher. After nearly 10 years working in London schools, where he held leadership positions in English departments and within a Sixth Form, he moved on to become an examiner and education consultant. With more than a decade of experience as a tutor, Nick specialises in English, but has also taught Politics, Classical Civilisation and Religious Studies.

Deb Orrock

Reviewer: Deb Orrock

Expertise: English Content Creator

Deb is a graduate of Lancaster University and The University of Wolverhampton. After some time travelling and a successful career in the travel industry, she re-trained in education, specialising in literacy. She has over 16 years’ experience of working in education, teaching English Literature, English Language, Functional Skills English, ESOL and on Access to HE courses. She has also held curriculum and quality manager roles, and worked with organisations on embedding literacy and numeracy into vocational curriculums. She most recently managed a post-16 English curriculum as well as writing educational content and resources.

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