In what ways does J.B Priestley make his beliefs clear to the audience?

J.B Priestley is someone who has seen enough of the world to make his own judgments. Therefore he has written this play "An Inspector Calls" to get these views of his across to the rest of the audience. He believes in socialism and doesn't support the view of capitalism. He tries to promote socialism and show capitalism as an act of egotism.

The two main views of society he has portrayed and contrasted capitalists and socialist. We know this through characters of the book to begin with I will look at Mr. Birling as a capitalist. This character was shown to be a very arrogant and proud man. He believed he had more authority and rights than/over everyone else. He is

'Self made man'.

His objectives of life are to make money, and profit for himself,

"It's my duty to keep labour costs down".

Money for him isn't an issue. It's an important part of his life. Even in situations like the sort he finds his image essential.

'Look, inspector - I'd give thousands'

Mr. Birling can seem to be hollow at times in the sense that he doesn't always perform in the way he portrays himself to his surroundings. He finds a reason to believe that the inspector's onset maybe a hoax, He than begins to proceed as though the inspectors arrival had no effect on him. But as soon as the phone rings he begins to panic.

Mr. Birling doesn't like to argue. He is optimistic about the future yet we know what he predicts will not come true.

'The worlds developing so fast it'll

make war impossible..........'

And

'The Titanic.... unsinkable absolutely

unsinkable'.

The inspector's comment to Mrs. Birling about young people - 'They're more

Impressionable' (pg 30) - adds weight to our feelings that the older...