Open Prompt Practice (Oct. 14)

1987. Some novels and plays seem to advocate changes in social or political attitudes or in traditions. Choose such a novel or play and note briefly the particular attitudes or traditions that the author apparently wishes to modify. Then analyze the techniques the author uses to influence the reader's or audience's views. Avoid plot summary.

In "An Inspector Calls," by J. B. Priestley, the audience is forced to reconsider the British capitalistic ideals of the time. The aristocratic family on display is slowly revealed to have, through the thoughtless, self-rewarding actions encouraged in a capitalistic society, driven a girl, who's name is unsure, to her miserable death. Through the use of all three pillars of argument--pathos, ethos, and logos--embodied within the characters of the play, Priestley attempts to show the reader the fallacies behind the capitalistic system and that each person's decisions ultimately affects everyone around him.

Throughout the play, Sheila Birling acts as Priestley's voice of pathos, the emotional argument. She got the girl fired because the girl's superior appearance hurt her pride. However, she feels remorseful about what she has done, vows never to treat anyone like that again, and encourages the others to do the same. Priestley uses her emotional reaction to show the emotional damage caused by the inconsiderate behavior of the Birling family.

Eric Birling, Sheila's brother, the drunkard, is the representative for Priestley's moral argument. Eric's immoral exploits with the girl are intended to disgust the audience. The girl he knew as Daisy, though in a poor and vulnerable situation, maintained her sense of morality as depicted by her refusal to accept the stolen money. Meanwhile, Eric, born into a rich family, takes advantage of her and does the unspeakable--he impregnates and abandons her in her dismal state. The audience realizes, then, that the people in the upper class of society are not there because they are better in any way than the lower class. In fact, the upper class is often more immoral than those below them because they have more tools with which they can cause destruction and chaos. Therefore, Priestley believes they hold more responsibility and should be held responsible for their actions more so than others.

Finally, Inspector Goole is both Priestley's representative in the story and the courier of logic. He pieces together the story of the girl's death, allowing his audience, both in and out of the story, to see the effects of what the Birlings had done. He brings everyone to the final point Priestley wishes to make: that everyone lives in this world together, and how we act changes the lives around us as well.

J. B. Priestley was a major advocate for socialism and his play, "An Inspector Calls," was designed to illustrate the dangers of a highly capitalistic society. Through the characters of the play, he uses all three pillars of argument to push the audience to the understanding that every decision should be made carefully because somehow, somewhere, each action we make will affect someone, and whether it is in a positive or negative way is up to us to decide.