A Study of Individualization in J.B. Priestley’s An Inspector Calls

Abstract

The present article aims at interpreting J.B. Priestley’s An Inspector Calls through the lens of capitalism as an individualizing phenomenon described in Individualization Institutionalized Individualism and its Social and Political Consequences by Ulrich Beck and Elisabeth Beck-Gernsheim. It is to see how in terms of free market-economy, individualization is an anti-social ideology which works to divide people into individuals and brings about feelings of selfishness and individualism among them. This present study explores how the individualizing factor becomes too pressing to deprive the Berling family and the Croft family of social ability and humanitarian approach towards less privileged class girl, Miss Daisy Renton. Consequently, the same individualization makes the capitalists selfish, passionless and cruel to such an extent that all members of the manufacturing families are bent upon punishing the labourer, Miss Eva Smith/ Miss Daisy Renton because she raises her voice for her rights. The continuous exploitation leaves no room for her. Individualization in the play under analysis induces the capitalists to have rat race after more and more profit at the cost of others’ sufferings till their death. Hence, it is individualistic approach in capitalism that forces a girl named Eva Smith to commit suicide as she is left alone in the world of capitalists who blackmail and torture her for her being shelterless and jobless. Investigation of individualization in the play under study is much important because it makes the public aware of individualizing impact of capitalism on the proletariat.