3.3 - Class and Inequality
Definition and role of class and inequality
Class and inequality form a central theme in the play, exposing the deep divisions between the wealthy and the working poor in Edwardian society. Priestley portrays these divisions as a source of moral corruption, where the privileged exploit the vulnerable without remorse, leading to widespread suffering. This theme drives the plot as the Inspector reveals how individual acts of class-based prejudice accumulate to destroy lives, ultimately calling for greater social equality.
Key aspects of class divisions
- Moral injustice - Higher classes view the poor as inferior, justifying harsh treatment that ignores human dignity.
- Economic unfairness - Wealthy characters control resources and opportunities, leaving the working class powerless and exposed to hardship.
- Systemic impact - Inequality perpetuates a cycle of poverty, as seen in Eva Smith's repeated misfortunes.
Contextual connection
Priestley's socialist views, shaped by the economic disparities of the interwar years, use the 1912 setting to critique pre-World War I capitalism, urging post-1945 audiences to embrace welfare reforms for a fairer society.
How class shapes character interactions with Eva Smith
Characters from privileged backgrounds interact with Eva Smith in ways that highlight their sense of superiority and entitlement. These encounters reveal how class positions dictate power dynamics, with the Birlings and Gerald wielding influence that Eva cannot counter. The theme underscores that such interactions are not isolated but part of a broader pattern of disregard for the lower classes.
Specific character influences
- Arthur Birling's authority - As a factory owner, he dismisses Eva's plea for better wages, treating her "strike" as a threat to his profits rather than a legitimate demand.
- Sheila Birling's privilege - She exploits her family's status at Milwards to have Eva sacked over a petty slight, demonstrating how consumer power can devastate working lives.
- Sybil Birling's judgement - Leading a charity, she rejects Eva's appeal for aid, labelling her "impertinent" due to class bias masked as moral superiority.
- Gerald Croft's position - His affair with Eva, renamed Daisy Renton, exploits her desperation, ending when it suits his upper-class convenience.
Contextual connection
The play reflects Edwardian England's rigid class structure, where women like Eva faced compounded disadvantages from gender and poverty, echoing Priestley's experiences with wartime equality that influenced his push for social change.
Exploitation through power imbalances
Priestley illustrates exploitation as a direct result of class inequality, where the wealthy dehumanise the poor to maintain their advantages. This manifests in economic control, social prejudice, and personal manipulation, showing how systemic imbalances allow the privileged to act without accountability. The theme critiques a society where power is unevenly distributed, leading to inevitable tragedy for the disadvantaged.
Forms of exploitation in the play
- Economic control - Arthur's factory represents capitalist systems that prioritise profit, firing Eva for seeking fair pay and viewing workers as "cheap labour."
- Social prejudice - Sybil's charity work ironically upholds class barriers, denying help to Eva based on assumptions of unworthiness.
- Personal manipulation - Gerald uses his status to offer temporary aid to Eva, only to abandon her, highlighting sexual exploitation enabled by class differences.
- Consumer influence - Sheila's jealousy-driven complaint at the shop exemplifies how everyday privileges can ruin lower-class livelihoods without repercussions.
Contextual connection
Written in 1945, the theme draws from the Great Depression's impact on the working class, with Priestley using Eva's story to advocate for Labour's post-war policies against the complacency of pre-1914 elites.
Consequences for society and Priestley's critique
Unchecked class inequality leads to social breakdown and individual ruin, as shown through Eva's suicide and the characters' varying responses to guilt. Priestley critiques this system by contrasting the older generation's denial with the younger ones' awakening, arguing that ignoring inequality invites catastrophe. The theme reinforces the need for collective responsibility to prevent history's mistakes from recurring.
Key consequences depicted
- Individual tragedy - Eva's "downward spiral" from job loss to desperation illustrates how class barriers leave no escape for the poor.
- Societal harm - The Birlings' actions contribute to broader unrest, symbolising how inequality fuels conflict and division.
- Moral awakening - While Arthur and Sybil dismiss responsibility, Sheila and Eric begin to recognise the "chain of events," hinting at potential change.
- Wider critique - Priestley warns that without reform, societies face "fire and blood and anguish," linking personal prejudice to national crises.
Contextual connection
Influenced by the two world wars' exposure of class divides, Priestley uses the play to promote socialist ideals, contrasting 1912's individualism with 1945's emerging welfare state to encourage audiences toward greater equality.