How does Priestley present ideas about inequality in an Inspector calls?

Taking the play from a socialist perspective inevitably focuses on issues of social class and inequality. Class is a large factor, indirectly, in the events of the play and Eva Smith’s death. Mrs. Birling, Priestley notes, is her husband’s social superior, just as Gerald will be Sheila’s social superior if they do get married. Priestley also subtly notes that Gerald’s mother, Lady Croft, disapproves of Gerald’s marrying Sheila for precisely this reason. Finally, everyone’s treatment of Eva might be put down (either in part or altogether) to the fact that she is a girl, as Mrs. Birling puts it, “of that class.” Priestley clearly was interested in the class system and how it determines the decisions that people make.

Priestly presents inequality by describing Eva's life after she is sacked as she had 'no work, no money coming in... no relatives to help her, few friends, lonely, half-starved, she was feeling desperate'. Priestley uses this list to build up Eva's struggle, with the repetition of 'no' highlighting aspects of her social inequality: it emphasises how alone and vulnerable she is because of the cruel treatment of Mr Birling. The fact that she is described as 'half-starved' seems even more unfair as the audience have just seen the Birling's finishing a substantial celebratory meal and are clearly very comfortable. Furthermore, the reference to 'no relatives' and 'few friends' is juxtaposed by the Birling's family and connections, which creates a huge contrast between Eva and those who have ruined her life. It seems obvious to the audience at this early stage that Eva Smith was a victim of the capitalist society of 1912, where businessmen such as Mr Birling felt it their prerogative to take advantage of low class people if it meant they profited from it; even if it leaves them in a poor state.