"an inspector calls" was written by JB Priestley in 1945 and was based in 1912. Priestley presented his political and social views through the character of Inspector Goole. He challenged the Birling family about the suicide of a young lower class girl, Eva Smith. The inspector says "it is better to ask for the earth, than to take it". This presents us with the idea that the inspector has a socialist view on life as he would rather ask for it than take it. It implies that as he is against exploitation which Mr Birling does frequently. This contradicts with Mr Birlings belief as he believes that "if you don't come down sharply on some of these people, then they would soon be asking for the earth". This suggests that Mr Birling is afraid of the lower class people taking over and ruining his power and status. Priestly is trying to convert the audience and the Birling family into socialism by thinking more positively of Eva Smith's request of more pay, instead of just leaving or possibly stealing money from Mr Birling. Priestley goes against Mr Birling's belief of "a man must stay to his business and look after himself and his own" as the inspector says "we are members of one body, we are responsible for each other". The inspectors uses "we" as he refers to everyone in the room, he tries to include the Birling family in his socialist views of hoping that they will realise their mistakes.