Lecture Notes: Social Responsibility in J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls

Introduction

• Speaker: Liam (Mr. Knight)
• Focus: How social responsibility is depicted in J.B. Priestley's play, An Inspector Calls.
• Goals:
  • Explain the theme of social responsibility.
  • Analyze relevant quotations.
  • Discuss Priestley's intentions.

Understanding Social Responsibility

• Definition: Acting ethically to benefit society; balancing profit with societal welfare.
• Synonyms: Responsibility, duty, doing the right thing, socialism vs. capitalism.
• Note: Social responsibility is a specific type of responsibility, intertwined with socialist thought.

Analysis of Key Quotations

Mr. Birling's View

• Quotation: "A man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own."
  • Context: Start of the play; shows lack of social responsibility.
  • Significance: Indicates self-centeredness and suggests ignoring societal issues. Possibly triggers inspector's arrival.

Sheila's Realization

• Quotation: "So I'm really responsible?"
  • Context: During interrogation, shows her contemplating responsibility for Eva's death.
  • Stage Directions: Suggest reluctance and unhappiness in accepting responsibility.

Gerald's Action

• Quotation: "I insisted on Daisy moving into those rooms and I made her take some money."
  • Context: Shows a degree of social responsibility but implies forced generosity.
  • Implication: Social responsibility often portrayed as stripping agency from the working class.

Mrs. Birling's Influence

• Quotation: "Was it owing to your influence as the most prominent member of the committee that help was refused the girl?"
  • Context: Shows social responsibility within the charity but highlights Mrs. Birling's lack of it.
  • Action: Prejudiced refusal of help, prioritizing personal issues over societal good.

Mrs. Birling on Responsibility

• Quotation: "Find this young man and then make sure that he's compelled to confess in public his responsibility."
  • Context: Shows her traditional views and ties between responsibility and shame.
  • Implication: Suggests harsh treatment and potential class bias in her views.

Eric's Contribution

• Quotation: "I insisted on giving her enough money to keep her going."
  • Context: Shows responsible behavior but involves theft from his father's business.
  • Comparison: Similar to Robin Hood, putting societal welfare above profit.

Mr. Birling's Relief

• Quotation: "Now you might think that this is a bit of an odd quotation to pick."
  • Context: Reflects his relief at not being responsible for a death; rejection of responsibility.
  • Significance: Mirrors his initial attitude; shows no change in character.

Priestley's Intentions

• Highlighting Social Responsibility
  • Purpose: Emphasize the need for societal responsibility.
  • Context: Critique of ruling classes post-WWI and WWII.
• Character Development
  • Observation: Characters accepting responsibility (Eric, Sheila) fare better than those who don’t (Mr. & Mrs. Birling).
  • Message: Accepting responsibility equates to being a good person.
• Class Critique
  • Focus: Middle and upper classes' failure to support the working class.
  • Result: Encourages audiences to consider supporting the disadvantaged.

Further Exploration

• Related Themes:
  • Dialogue on duty between Mr. Birling and the inspector.
  • Post-inspector attitudes towards responsibility.
• Actionable Steps:
  • Analyze additional quotations.
  • Reflect on character responses to the inspector's departure.

Conclusion

• Call to Action: Engage with further analysis; share thoughts in the comments.
• Final Note: Importance of self-care while studying; take breaks to avoid burnout.