Robot Says…

Saltaire, as a model village, reflects the impact of industrialisation on society, a key backdrop for the social issues addressed in An Inspector Calls. The factory life it aimed to improve mirrors the harsh working conditions faced by many in Edwardian England.
The play critiques the exploitation of workers by industrial capitalists. Mr Birling, as a factory owner, exemplifies this exploitation with his treatment of Eva Smith: "She had a lot to say – far too much – so she had to go."
Saltaire’s establishment by Titus Salt demonstrates a paternalistic approach to improving workers' lives. In contrast, Mr Birling dismisses any responsibility for worker welfare, stating, "If you don’t come down sharply on some of these people, they’d soon be asking for the earth."
Knowledge of factory life highlights the class divide central to the play. Eva Smith’s struggles are emblematic of the lower class, whose lives were often dictated by the whims of factory owners like Mr Birling.
J. B. Priestley’s message of social responsibility can be contextualised by understanding Saltaire’s reforms. Priestley advocates for collective responsibility, as seen in Inspector Goole’s assertion: "We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other."
Saltaire’s progressive focus on education, housing, and welfare contrasts with the lack of concern shown by characters like Mrs Birling, who dismisses Eva’s plight: "I used my influence to have it refused."
Understanding the historical struggle of factory workers lends weight to the tragedy of Eva Smith’s story. Her dismissal parallels the precarity of many workers’ lives during the industrial era, reinforcing Priestley’s call for a fairer society.
Saltaire’s example of philanthropic industrialism serves as a foil to the self-serving attitudes of the Birling family, further emphasising Priestley’s critique of unchecked capitalism. </aside>

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