An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley (Moderator's choice Mar/Apr 2017)

[Michael]

I wonder if we change as we prosper. If we start off as Eva/John Smith and become, like Birling a self made man, do we consider those who didn't make it or try as lazy or inferior?

We know that Mrs Birling is concerned with social class, what social class do you associate with? Is there a social class into which you would not marry? If so can we judge Mrs Birling?

Class aside, when looking for a spouse etc, do you consider their financial means, at what point is that a deal breaker, particularly if they earn less than you? Are we any different to those people in the two written pieces we have read so far?

Ally, you're too young for nostalgia and yearning for yesterday! I think the world has become more casual and throwaway, especially with comments and alike. I find those with real thought and substance are no smaller in number and harder to find. Is this my age?

I do agree agree that it seems a more of a 'me' society in that respect there seems to be more Birlings, in each class strata.

A thought for the day, "the thing that makes us who we are, the joy & the pain we feel could have been born into any human in history. Therefore, randomly I could have been any gender, any racial background, any creed, have any disability, etc. So why is it some believe that this randomness of birth gives them rights over any other human".

I think in some ways we are Eva, Gerald, Sybil, Eric, Gatsby, Nick, Daisy and not them - at the same time. (sorry for the quantum theory bit - blame Schrodinger and his cat).