Tuesday, May 26, 2020

The Reconstruction-Era Essay - 731 Words

The Reconstruction-Era The Reconstruction-era offered numerous opportunities to African-Americans, by attempting to secure the rights for ex-slaves, but the opportunities presented even more obstacles to them. The thought of freedom intrigued the African-Americans at first, but many of them quickly changed their minds after experiencing it. Henry William Ravenel, a slaveowner, proclaimed, When they were told they were free, some said they did not wish to be free, and they were silenced with threats of being shot (Firsthand 24). The Reconstruction-era effected the white settlers and their crops, as well, posing yet more obstacles for the already-struggling African-Americans. The hardships endured†¦show more content†¦The Ku Klux Clan was a group consisting of white settlers that committed hate crimes against African-Americans, including acts such as hangings, lynching, and overall abuse of African-Americans. Some said the purpose of the Kla n was to keep the negroes from rising, keep fusses down and colored men and white women apart (Firsthand 15). A man by the name of Jim Williams, the captain of a black militia unit, was brutally hung by members of the Ku Klux Klan in 1871 and this act led to the arrests of many Klan members, and the prosecution of Klan leaders (Firsthand 3). The arrests opened the publics eyes to these atrocities resulting from Reconstruction and the existence of the Ku Klux Klan. Throughout the Reconstruction period, there are recurring recollections of the Ku Klux Clan murdering and beating African-Americans but the significance of the murder of Jim Williams is that it exposed this hateful congregation of men and their intentions, helping to alleviate the African-Americans position at that point. Aside from the Ku Klux Klan, other White Southerners did not support the idea of Reconstruction either. One White Southerner, named Caleb G. Forsey, stated, I think freedom is very unfortunate for the negro; I think it is sad; his present helpless condition touches my heart more than anything else I ever contemplated, and I think that is the common sentiment of our slaveholders (Firsthand 37). Caleb G.Show MoreRelatedReconstruction Of The Reconstruction Era1587 Words   |  7 PagesThe Reconstruction Era was known as a time to reconstruct the United States of America by the expansion of governmental power that began in 1865. â€Å"There were two central problems that animated Reconstruction; providing justice for freedmen and facilitating national reconciliation. (A New Birth of Freedom, pg. 1) After the 12 year span, reconstructing the nation succeeded in only a few of the goals that were set out to achieve within those 12 years that it was in progress. The Reconstruction’s intentionsRead MoreThe Reconstruction Era990 Words   |  4 PagesThe Reconstruction Era was from around 1865-1877, during that time many laws were passed to break down the color barrier. The 13th Amendment which officially abolished slavery and involuntary servitude was passed on April 8th, 1864. Then came the 14th Amendment passed on July 9th, 1868 which granted citizenship to everyone born in the U.S. Finally came the 15th Amendment passed in 1870 which gave freedmen the right to vote and could not be denied on account of race or previous condition of servitudeRead MoreThe Legacy Of The Reconstruction Era1473 Words   |  6 PagesThe reconstruction era was a time that then affected America in positive facets and negative aspects as well, and still affects America today. Thanks to the reconstruction era, there are several implementations that geared the world on the path in which it is today. Had it not been for some of the laws that were set in place African Americans may have not had many of the opportunities that were presented during the reconstruction period, therefore the years of oppression and cruelty might still beRead MoreHistoriography of the Reconstruction Era2 240 Words   |  9 PagesRiham Elshazli Professor Clement Price Civil War and the Reconstruction 12/11/12 Historiography of the Reconstruction Era At a time when America was trying to piece itself back together, the Reconstruction Era is one of the most important chapters in history. It is also, however, one of the most debated. After the Civil War, the South was devastated and thousands of freed slaves needed to be integrated into society. When Andrew Johnson took office, he was moderate in his views as to what shouldRead MoreThe Reconstruction Era And The Jim Crow Era1525 Words   |  7 PagesThe Reconstruction Era and The Jim Crow Era were both times of Rapid growth in the United States that were characterized by changes not only on the intrapersonal level, but also on the cultural and legislative level. The Reconstruction Era occurred directly after the civil war and spanned twelve years from 1865 to 1877 , while the Jim Crow Era occurred from 1877 to 1954. Some of the common themes of these eras were race relations and tension between northern states and southern states. The firstRead MoreThe During The Reconstruction E ra989 Words   |  4 Pages During the Reconstruction era which occurred after the Civil War there was animosity between the states as well as the debate over how freed slaves should be dealt with in terms of becoming citizens with the same rights as the Constitution provided for whites. The government had to come up some type of conditions which would attempt to allow the rebellious southern states back into the union. During this time period President Abraham Lincoln appointed provisional military governors to overseeRead MoreThe Legacy Of The Reconstruction Era1920 Words   |  8 PagesIn the years prior to the Reconstruction era, the nation was involved in a brutal civil war—one of the most destructive to ever take place. The North and the South were fighting against each other, with the Confederate States fighting for secession and slavery, and the Union fighting for an in tact country. Abraham Lincoln, the newly elected president, was against secession and blatantly stated so in his inaugural address, â€Å"A husband and wife may be divorced, but the different parts of our nationRead MoreThe Word Reconstruction Era984 Words   |  4 PagesIn the United States history, the word Reconstruction Era has been considered in two intellects: the first comprises the comprehensive history of the whole country during the period of 1865 to 1877 subsequent to the Civil War; the second sense emph ases on the alteration of the Southern United States, as engaged by Congress, from 1863 to 1877, with the rebuilding of society and state. Two men appeared as the foremost applicants in the 1876 election: Samuel J. Tilden who was a Democrat and RutherfordRead MoreThe Legacy Of The Reconstruction Era1303 Words   |  6 PagesThe Reconstruction Era America was in disarray following the events of the Civil War. Southern economy was in shambles while congress was struggling to find a middle ground between the radical republicans and Lincoln’s lenient policies. Many Southerners faced the aftermath of uprooting their society and their way of life while thousands of newly freed slaves struggled to find a way to support themselves. The country needed a strong leader, however on the 14th of April, 1865 President Lincoln wasRead MoreAfrican Americans in the Reconstruction Era1518 Words   |  7 PagesThe Reconstruction era was put into effect by Congress in 1866 and lasted until 1877. Reconstruction was aimed at reorganizing the Southern states after the Civil War. The reconstruction plan granted the means for readmitting the southern states into the Union, and tried to come up with the methods by which whites and blacks could live together in a non-slave society. Americas position as a country was established on principles of freedom but those beliefs were weakened by slavery. At the end

Friday, May 15, 2020

Medieval Medicine. Life For People During The Medieval

Medieval Medicine Life for people during the Medieval Times, also known as the Dark Ages or middle ages, between 400 – 1450 was incredibly difficult due to disease and illnesses being spread throughout Europe. Medieval medicine during the time was easily misunderstood and generally mistreated. As a result, disease spread rapidly, deaths occur at outrageous numbers, and caused people to turn to various forms of medical help. To understand medieval medicine, we must first be able to look back at the origins and review its transformation in time. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, medicine is defined as â€Å"the science of practice of the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of the disease† or â€Å"a compound or preparation used for the†¦show more content†¦The everyday medical care people received took place in the village and conducted by an untrained medical practitioner (Wigelsworth). So who were these untrained medical practitioners and what did they encounter daily. Often times, townspeople with ailments sought out local folk healers, those who practiced healing through experience without regard to science; religious leaders, since the illness was considered to be a punishment from God; apothecary owners, people who maintained a well-stocked on herbs, spices, and oils. At the time, trained medical physicians were very limited and came with a cost. If a family could afford to hire a trained physician or a barber surgeon, they received slightly better medical treatment (Kelly 19-28). In regards to women, male physicians were not allowed to examine women and had very little knowledge regarding how to treat women medically. The overall health in the middle ages was not good by any means. At no surprise, disease was greatly misunderstood and often believed to have been transmitted by the wrath of God, dependent on the individual’s astrological sign, or a result of witchcraft. Many illnesses could easily have been contributed to the horrid hygienic conditions. The middle ages were often referred to as â€Å"a thousand years without a bath†. This allowed the environment to become overrun withShow MoreRelatedMedieval Diseases And Treatment Research1026 Words   |  5 PagesAlicia Yang Professor Wooten ENG 241-101 23 October 2015 Medieval Diseases and Treatment Research Essay During the Medieval era there were many diseases. Because of the lack of hygiene in the medieval times, diseases would spread like a wildfire. Just to name a few common diseases that happened in this time, there was the Black Death, leprosy, measles, and typhoid fever. These were most likely transported because of dirty bedsheets and blankets, unwashed clothing, and rodents. The treatmentsRead MoreMedieval Medicine, Illogical and Superstition Essay1746 Words   |  7 PagesChristian, because of this, the church had a lot of control over the people. The church used the beliefs of the people to control them, collecting land and taxes and making laws. The Bubonic Plague spread to Europe, the plague killed about 75 million people of world died from one single cause. Many superstitions were created cause of the Black Death, generate idea that were thought to prevent the plague but really did. Medicine was also not being studied carefully and correctly at the time. Not aRead MoreSim ilarities Between Medieval Japan And Medieval Europe812 Words   |  4 PagesComparison Essay- Shogunate Japan and Medieval Europe When people think of â€Å"Medieval†, they often relate this to Europe. However, there was once a Medieval Japan too, and this time stretched from 1185-1868 CE. During this period, Shoguns ruled Japan, and they defined it as â€Å"Medieval† because, just like Europe society in Japan at this time was feudal in structure. Medieval Europe lasted from the 5th to the 15th century, and was often referred to as Christendom, because most civilians were ChristiansRead MoreThe Influence of Medieval Medicine on Modern Medicine Essay1153 Words   |  5 PagesThe Influence of Medieval Medicine on Modern Medicine The logic and principles of medieval medicine shaped those of Modern medicine. Never was there a more efficient method perfected, so much that it remained through history through so many hundreds of years. Today’s concepts of diagnosis, relationships with the church, anatomy, surgery, hospitals and training, and public health were established in the Middle Ages. In the Middle ages, the modern idea of society taking responsibility for itsRead MoreThe Many Aspects Of Medicine863 Words   |  4 PagesMedicine is in many aspects considered the bringer of life as it has the ability to heal a rather unsightly wound. On the other hand, it can also be deemed the harbinger of death, whereas if it is used in the wrong context, the person could subsequently die as a result. The term Medieval Magic is a collaboration of pre-existing ideas shared across cultures, as well as spiritual influence with a shamanistic attribute. Much of the knowledge that is used came from just before the fall of the WesternRead MoreEssay on Medieval Outlook on the Bubonic Plague1448 Words   |  6 PagesThe Medieval Outlook on the Bubonic Plague The Black Death was a major factor in the history of Europe as well as the history of the world. Rivaling the effects of an immense bioterrorist attack, the Black Death was responsible for the taking of over 25 million lives. Creating economic, societal, and medical changes, the Black Death forced Europe to essentially recreate its entire groundwork. At the time of the Black Death, medicine remained very archaic, and European society scrambled to findRead MoreAdvancements in Medicine: The Black Death Essay1208 Words   |  5 PagesDuring the Middle Ages, medicine was limited. This was critical because in 1348-1350 the Black Death killed millions, nearly one third of the population. Physicians had no idea what was causing diseases or how to stop them (Medicine in the Middle). The Catholic Church told its people the illness was punishment from God for their sins (Gates 9). Some of the only procedures doctors could perform was letting blood by using leeches, and mix ‘medicines’ using herbs, spices, and resins (Rooney 106-107)Read MoreHistory of Medicine1288 Words   |  6 PagesThe medieval period is normally not associated with advances in technology, nor with contributions that benefit society. Yet, our medicine today owes much of its development to physicians of that time. Medicine of that era was strongly influenced by superstition and the doctrine of the Christian church, and did not have much foundation for practical application. The need for medicine in Middle Ages was certainly great, considering the extreme amounts of plague and disease prevalent during thatRead MoreThe Renaissance : A Rebirth Of The Ideas Of Ancient Greece923 Words   |  4 PagesRenaissance was a rebirth of the ideas of ancient Greece and Rome that began in the City States of Italy during the 14th century. The cultural resurgence began a new style of living in Europe after the horrors of the black death, and is seen as the beginning of the culture of the modern world. As Wassace K. Ferguson put in his book The Renaissance, the Italian artists grew tired of the darkness of Medieval Times and began to turn to the brighter times found in the classical ages (Doc 7). The RenaissanceRead MoreThe Era Of The Middle Ages1666 Words   |  7 Pageshad to be done from all of mankind, from servants who were settled in the village, to peasants on the countryside nearby. Unfortunately, this was a reality for people who lived in a time period situated with the name of The Middle Ages. As these people lived within the lowest social class, their lives were filled with many mishaps. During this era of history, servants had a heavy load on their shoulders--many goods were to be crafted, while diligent peasants were off planting crops and doing such

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The Privacy Of The Patriot Act - 906 Words

Privacy The misuse of our personal information collected by private and public institutions has made privacy, or the lack of it, a major societal concern today. One of the biggest reasons privacy has become such an issue is the enactment of the â€Å"Patriot Act†, signed into law in reaction to the attacks on 9/11/2001. This act broadened the ability for the US government to collect surveillance on people in order to protect against terrorism inside the US. Critiques say it violates our civil liberties and undermines our democracy. One example of this is the collection and storage of phone data by the government under the Patriot Act. Is this an invasion of privacy? In order to keep society safe, a certain amount of private information has to be known by Law Enforcement. In order to collect taxes and for society to function, the government also needs some information. Collecting basic information isn’t an invasion of privacy, but the collection phone data is too intrusive. Can the public trust the government to not miss-use or lose the information they have on them? The government and major companies have frequently leaked and misused the public’s information. For example, in Ted Koppel’s 2005 article on â€Å"Take My Privacy, Please!†, he mentions how Bank of America lost personal information on about 1.2 million federal government employees, including some senators. LexisNexis unintentionally gave outsiders access to personal files on over 310,000 people. Time WarnerShow MoreRelatedConstitutional Right to Privacy and the Us Patriot Act Essay example4869 Words   |  20 PagesPrivacy Essay Privacy. What do you think the average American would say if you told them they have no Constitutional Right to Privacy, as privacy is never mentioned anywhere in the Constitution? That the information they share over the World Wide Web has little if any protection by or from the government. Of course our government is hard at work to modernize the form of weeding out the unsanitary to which some cenacles might call censorship. But the main question still stands, do we have a rightRead More America Needs the Patriot Act Essay example827 Words   |  4 PagesIs the Patriot Act Unconstitutional? The Patriot Act was introduced in 2001 after the September 11 attacks. The Patriot Acts purpose is to deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world. The Patriot Act Is meant to help stop terrorism by making it easier to get search warrants for suspected terrorists. The purpose of the Patriot Act is to enable law enforcement officials to track down and punish t hose responsible for the attacks on 9/11 and to protect against anyRead MoreThe Freedom Of Privacy Act1078 Words   |  5 PagesINTRODUCTION I. Attention-getter: â€Å"Privacy is not something that I’m merely entitled to, it’s an absolute prerequisite,† by Marlon Brando II. Relevance: The government for years has been using the excuse of national security, as a way in to our lives and the lives of those we represent. It is time that we introduce a new law in order curb this intrusion in to our lives III. Credibility: We are bringing up this topic, because we have done our research on events that the has overstepped their boundsRead MoreThe United States Of The Patriot Act1090 Words   |  5 Pagesdecades, most notably after the tragic events of September 11th. The Patriot Act was passed shortly after these events in response to the acts of terrorism witnessed by the whole nation. At the time, it seemed rational and logical to allow this bill to pass, due to the extreme anger of American citizens, and the willingness to fight against terrorism. However, certain breaches of privacy came with the introduction of the Patriot Act. We as Americans want to feel protected from the threats of terrorismRead MoreEssay The USA Patriot Act and Civil Liberties1260 Words   |  6 PagesThe USA Patriot Act and Civil Liberties September 11, 2001 sparked many different feelings into the hearts of Americans. People sprang into action to seek revenge and protect America’s precious soils from another deadly attack by reinforcing America’s strength through her government. The men and women of Congress retaliated to the terrorist attacks by drafting and passing the USA PATRIOT Act on October 26, 2001, which stands for â€Å"Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing AppropriateRead More We Must Regain Our Lost Civil Liberties Essay1450 Words   |  6 Pages With our nation’s tragedy of September 11, 2001, arose a deeply shaken America, shocked by the extent of the cruelty. An act of terrorism of that magnitude had never been seen before in our country. Patriots quickly came together, supporting the president to pass legislation, known as the USA Patriot Act, to tackle internal and external threats to this nation. The debate ensued, focused on which types of surveillance technology should or shouldnt be allowed for arresting terrorists. Read MoreThe USA PATRIOT Act of 2001: Need for National Security vs. Protection of Civil Liberties1247 Words   |  5 PagesPentagon, as well as the 2001 anthrax scares, Congress proposed the USA PATRIOT Act. Supporters of the Act cite the importance and immeasurable need for greater protection in terms of national security, which is the government’s responsibility first and foremost to protect its citizens from enemies foreign and domestic. However, for every proponent there is an equally passionate opponent who partially believe not only does the Act impede on civil liberties and individual rights but was an opportunisticRead MoreThe United States Patriot Act1533 Words   |  7 PagesKaylyn Dailey 11/27/16 Professor Carter American Gov. Term Paper Patriot Act On September 11, 2001, the Unites States suffered massive destruction caused by terrorism. Four planes were hijacked by terrorist. Nearly, three thousand lives were lost when two planes crashed into the World Trade Towers, one crashed into the Pentagon, and the final plane crashed in Pennsylvania before it could reach its final destination. An immense fear spread across the country and out of this fear came the UnitingRead MoreGovernment Infringement On Right And Privacy1005 Words   |  5 PagesBrad Tulkki Cisewski ENGL 1202-14 15 March 2017 Government Infringement on Right to Privacy According to Vice President Mike Pence, â€Å"The Patriot Act is essential to our continued success in the war on terror here at home.† (Brainyquote). Politicians across the political spectrum overwhelmingly agree that the Patriot Act is a necessary measure to protect the citizens of the United States from the imminent threat of terrorism.   After the terror attacks of September 11th, 2001, fear filled the emotionsRead MoreThe Patriot Act; Agree of Disagree877 Words   |  4 PagesThe Patriot Act: Agree or Disagree Amanda Collier ENG/215 August 27, 2012 Bruce Massis The Patriot Act: Agree or Disagree President George W. Bush signed into law on October 26, 2001 The USA PATRIOT Act. The title of the Act is a letter acronym: Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (PUBLIC LAW 107–56—OCT. 26, 2001) This Act was written to prevent and punish terrorist acts here in the United States as well

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Gooles final words Essay Example For Students

Gooles final words Essay My final point on the words of the Inspector, is his final speech,  But just remember this. One Eva Smith has gone taught it in fire and blood and anguish. Good Night.  These are Gooles final words to complete his lesson on responsibility. Although he is currently talking to the characters in the play at this moment, his words emerge like a sermon in a church might and he seems to be in fact addressing the audience as well to convey his message to them. He uses words like fire and blood and anguish, which makes him seem powerful and due to this unique choice of words, it becomes a very memorable speech. It also makes you realise the dramatic irony of this play, as we all know that World War 1 is just about to commence but the characters in the play are completely oblivious to it and Mr. Birling is positive that the war will not take place. In my opinion these final words from him are an example of how he talks to the audience without addressing them directly and it is this that convinces me that the role of Inspector Goole is purely a device used to convey to the audience the importance of community and moral responsibility. To conclude this, I think that the Inspectors dramatic function in An Inspector Calls is open to interpretation. For example in the 1954 black and white adaptation, the director has interpreted the Inspector as a being a ghost to frighten the family. This is shown by the sudden appearance of the inspector in the doorway coupled with very eerie music and his disappearance at the end of the play, whereas in the original script the technique used to make his arrival prominent is his name Goole. In my opinion, I think that the Inspector is Priestley himself simply using the inspector as a device to convey the message of responsibility to the audience. I also think this has been successfully achieved and is a very gripping and thought-provoking play. An inspector calls was written in 1945 by J.B Priestley. The play is set in 1912 and centres on Arthur Birling, a prosperous manufacturer and his family, who are celebrating the engagement of their daughter, when they are suddenly and dramatically interrupted by the arrival of the police inspector. The inspector, investigating the suicide of a young working-class woman, uncovers each of the familys shameful secrets that link them with the young girl and her death. Priestley was a strong believer in socialism, opposing capitalism which exploits and degrades the working classes to benefit the rich. Priestley believed that whether we acknowledged it or not, we are all part of one big community and have the responsibility to look after everyone else, no matter who they are or what their status is. In An inspector calls Priestley tries to highlight these beliefs and educate the audience on how they should treat one another. This message was particularly effective to the audiences of 1946 as, weary from the Second World War they were looking for change. The Inspectors quote of Fire, blood and anguish refers to the 1st and 2nd World Wars, would have had great emotional impact on the audience and caused them to think more deeply into the play and Priestleys message. During the Second World War social classes were forced to mix, children were evacuated to where was safest and not according to class, all young men were forced to mix in the Trenches and on the Front Line, the women left at home were forced to all work in the factories together, all of this causing friendships and relationships between different social classes to be formed. Clothes were rationed, so soon everybody looked the same and social class become harder to distinguish, everyone worked together for the good of the country and social barriers between the classes began to fall. .ubd6e59dba891c8396f9e78db3d5c6681 , .ubd6e59dba891c8396f9e78db3d5c6681 .postImageUrl , .ubd6e59dba891c8396f9e78db3d5c6681 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ubd6e59dba891c8396f9e78db3d5c6681 , .ubd6e59dba891c8396f9e78db3d5c6681:hover , .ubd6e59dba891c8396f9e78db3d5c6681:visited , .ubd6e59dba891c8396f9e78db3d5c6681:active { border:0!important; } .ubd6e59dba891c8396f9e78db3d5c6681 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ubd6e59dba891c8396f9e78db3d5c6681 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ubd6e59dba891c8396f9e78db3d5c6681:active , .ubd6e59dba891c8396f9e78db3d5c6681:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ubd6e59dba891c8396f9e78db3d5c6681 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ubd6e59dba891c8396f9e78db3d5c6681 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ubd6e59dba891c8396f9e78db3d5c6681 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ubd6e59dba891c8396f9e78db3d5c6681 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ubd6e59dba891c8396f9e78db3d5c6681:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ubd6e59dba891c8396f9e78db3d5c6681 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ubd6e59dba891c8396f9e78db3d5c6681 .ubd6e59dba891c8396f9e78db3d5c6681-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ubd6e59dba891c8396f9e78db3d5c6681:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: In what way does "Romeo Juliet" reflect the time in Which It was written and what is its relevance to a modern audience? EssayWritten just after the war Priestley gives the audience the chance to go back to their old ways of social classes and boundaries and face another World War or to move forward with this new way of living, where everyone is equal and there are no class barriers.  The family have placed themselves in a kind of dolls house, shutting out the rest of the world, shutting out any opposing opinions or any of the terrible things that happen in the real world to other people. The inspectors visit will be the catalyst that will shatter all of these fake thou ghts and feelings, Mr Birling in particular is very guilty of the selfish capitalist opinions which contrast to Priestleys and later the Inspectors opinions. When the inspector calls on the Birling family, they, and Gerald Croft are in the midst of a family celebration, all are dressed in expensive evening wear and having just finished a their meal the men are smoking cigars and all are drinking toasts to themselves, feeling full of self importance, and rather pleased with life.  Mr Birling is described as a heavy-looking, rather portentous man in his middle fifties with fairly easy manners but rather provincial in his speech. He is very much concerned with his social positioning and twice mentions that he was Lord Mayor as a way of impressing Gerald (his future son in-law who is from a family of a higher social class than the Birlings) and even mentions the his possible future knighthood, to him which is far from certain. He is solely worried about his familys reputation. Birling then reveals to the audience his personal views, through one of the many speeches, he makes to his family and then later, to just Gerald and Eric, before the inspector arrives. Birling shows he does not believe he has a responsibility to society, only to his family a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own. He is short sighted and wrong, his predictions for the future are all incorrect: Were in for a time of steadily increasing prosperity The Wall Street Crash (1929) and the Great Depression within a generation.  There isnt a chance of war World war within two years, with a second to follow within the same lifetime.  In 1940youll be living in a world thatll have forgotten all these Capital versus Labour agitations The General Strike (1926) and the continued rise of the Trade Union Movement. The Titanic: unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable SS Titanic sinks on her maiden voyage.  This dramatic irony at his expense makes the character look even more stupid and thoughtless and encourages the audience to question how many of his other beliefs are correct.   It is these incorrect and morally wrong views that trigger the inspectors arrival.  A man has to make his own way- has to look after himself- and his family too, when he has one- and so long as he does that he wont come to much harm. But the way some of these cranks talk and write now, youd think everybody has to look after everybody else, as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive community and all that nonsense. But take my word for it, you youngsters and Ive learnt in the good hard school of experience- that a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own- and-  We hear the sharp ring of a front door bell. BIRLING stops to listen.  Mr Birling is interrupted half way through one of his capitalistic, narrow-minded speeches by the ringing of the front door bell, unknown to Mr Birling and the other members of the house, this signals the arrival of the Inspector. His arrival right as Mr Birling is half way through his capitalistic and selfish speech adds dramatic irony to the play, as the Inspectors role is to show that this is not the case and sets out to prove to the Birlings, Gerald and to the audience how wrong this view is. The Inspectors somber appearance and the news he brings are a contrast with the happy and elegant celebration in the Birling house.