An Inspector Calls in Three Acts (2) – Act 2 - "a kind of wall between us"

 An Inspector Calls is one of the most commonly-studied post-1914 drama texts in the UK, and this series of posts is exploring some of the most important details.  As an English tutor, I offer guidance to students for KS3, GCSE and A Level English and English Literature.

In Act 2 of the play, Sheila says to Mrs Birling:

“You mustn’t try to build up a kind of wall between us and that girl.  If you do, then the Inspector will just break it down.”

The metaphor of the wall represents the division between different social classes in Britain before the First World War.  When Priestley was writing for audiences to watch his play in 1945, he was highlighting the need to move beyond the harmful class divide between rich and poor to build a fairer society.

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