Abuse of Power & Corruption

Abuse of Power and Corruption - Opening Act

The opening Act of the play sets up the Birlings as wealthy, powerful characters. They feel that their social class and position are of vital importance.

Inspector Goole's arrival

The family are enjoying an elaborate meal in opulent (expensive and luxurious) surroundings, with servants attending them. They are a fortunate family enjoying their affluent (rich) lives.
Inspector Goole arrives. His presence goes on to show that all of the Birling family (and Gerald) have used their power in immoral ways.
Every one of them uses their power negatively to remove power from a lower-class girl, who already had very little power to begin with.

Mr and Mrs Birling

Here's how these characters used their power to remove power from a lower-class girl:
- Mr Birling: as the boss of the company, he used his power to get rid of Eva after she led the workers in their fight for a pay raise.
- Mrs Birling: as a leading person in the Brumley Women’s Charity Organisation, she denied Eva any financial help.

Sheila, Eric and Gerald

Here's how these characters used their power to remove power from a lower-class girl:
- Sheila: because she wasn't in a good mood, she used her family’s status and power to have Eva fired from Milward’s.
- Eric: He used physical and emotional power to force his way into Eva’s lodgings (where she was staying) – he threatened to cause a scene, which would lessen Eva’s social power even more.
- Gerald: He used his social status and money to manipulate (influence someone into doing something) Eva into being his mistress.

Abuse of Power and Corruption

Here's a summary of how Priestley explores the abuse of power and corruption in An Inspector Calls.

Conflict over corruption

Throughout the play, the characters see the effects of them abusing their power.
- Sheila and Eric become more and more ashamed of themselves, and their parents’ reactions.
- Their attitudes to their own corruption (dishonest or morally wrong behaviour) causes conflict within the family.
Mr and Mrs Birling refuse to accept responsibility for their actions. This causes a rift (break in friendly relations) between them and their children.

Societal corruption

Some characters highlight societal corruption (dishonest or morally wrong behaviour).
- The older Birlings refuse to accept any responsibility for their actions and how they might affect lower-class people.
- Gerald and the Birlings show how the higher-class, wealthy people control society with their money and power.
- They can destroy the lives of the lower classes on a whim (because of a sudden decision), and never think about them again.

Inspector Goole

The author uses Inspector Goole to highlight these attitudes and to show that many higher-class people don’t even think that their abuse of power is immoral or selfish.
They feel that they deserve their wealth and power, and that those of lower classes deserve to be less fortunate.

1Plot Summary

1.1Act 1

1.1.1Act 1 Summary

1.1.2Act 1 Key Quotes

1.2Act 2

1.2.1Act 2 Summary

1.2.2Act 2 Key Quotes

1.3Act 3

1.3.1Act 3 Summary

1.3.2Act 3 Key Quotes

1.3.3Act 3 More Key Quotes

1.3.4End of Topic Test - Acts 1, 2 & 3

2Context & Key Themes

2.1Context & Key Themes

2.1.1Social Class & Equality

2.1.2Class Tension

2.1.3Abuse of Power & Corruption

2.1.4Socialism vs Capitalism

2.1.5Blame & Responsibility

2.1.6Attitudes to Women

2.1.7Characterisation of Women

2.1.8Dramatic Function of Characters

2.1.9End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes

2.1.10End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes 2

2.1.11Grade 9 - Key Themes

3Key Characters

3.1Mr Birling

3.1.1Mr Birling Analysis

3.1.2Mr Birling Quotes

3.2Mrs Birling

3.2.1Mrs Birling Analysis

3.2.2Mrs Birling Quotes

3.2.3Exam-Style Questions - Mrs Birling

3.3Sheila

3.3.1Sheila Analysis

3.3.2Sheila Quotes

3.3.3End of Topic Test - The Birlings & Sheila

3.4Eric

3.4.1Eric Analysis

3.4.2Eric Quotes

3.5Gerald

3.5.1Gerald Analysis

3.5.2Gerald Quotes

3.6Inspector Goole

3.6.1Inspector Goole Analysis

3.6.2Inspector Goole Quotes

3.6.3End of Topic Test - Eric, Gerald & Inspector Goole

3.7Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.7.1Grade 9 - Key Characters

4Authorial Method

4.1Arrangement & Structure of the Play

4.1.1Setting, Lighting & Dramatic Irony

4.1.2Structure & Chronology

4.1.3Structure & Chronology 2

4.1.4End of Topic Test - Authorial Method

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