Complex Ideas (An Inspector Calls) To help boost grades!

The Seven Deadly Sins 

  In 'An Inspector Calls' by J.B Priestley, Christaian Imagrey is used to critique the Briling family, as well as other upper-middle to upper-class people who profiteer from the Class System. 1912 Edwardian England eas deeply Christian, with around 80% of people identifying as Christians. Therefore, striking fear using Christian Ideas was a great way for Priestley to get his ideas about Socialism across. A major way he does this, is through the Birling family, and how they represent the Seven Deadly Sins.

  Firstly, the deadly sin of 'gluttony' is presented through Eric and the set. Eric is an alcoholic, even if his own mother denies it. He is clearly infused with alcohol throughout the play, as recognised by Sheila when she referes to him as 'squiffy'. This adjective suggests that Eric has indulged so much in alcohol, that he even looks drunk. Furthermore, it conveys the idea that the younger generations use words such as 'squiffy', which older ones such as Sybil Birling disagree with, in a more casual tone, as they are used to seeing people this way, suggesting Eric might indulge often, as well as other people his age. The set is described in stage notes as having 'desert plates and champagne glasses etc', suggesting that they have eaten many courses and drank lots of alcohol. The characters are also drinking port, and cigars are also present, suggesting that the Birlings are indulging in their own riches. This contrasts with something Gerald later says, as he states that Eva was 'hungry'. This contrast suggests that the Eric and the Birlings have a whole indulge too much in their own riches, not thinking about other's. For the audience, it may suggest that Eric is hiding deeper secrets, which lie behind his drinking problem, and encourage them to keep watching.

  Secondly, the sin of 'greed' is presented through the character of Arthur. Arthur has a constant desire for money, status and reputation, as evident when he expects a knighthood when Gerald marries Sheila, and values his current status as not enough, when he believes the Inspector is only there for a warrent to be signed. He believes it's his 'duty to keep labour costs down', with the noun 'duty' showing his lack of moral understanding. The noun 'Labour' could also be a reference to the Labour Party, of which Priestley was a member of, and he may use it in this context to remind people of the party's name when the 1945 General Election starts, in the hope that Labour wins, which it eventually does. To the audience in 1945, people would not want to appear like Arthur, and so felt…