Priestley portrays Mr Arthur Birling and Inspector Goole’s views of life, as widely divergent. Priestley juxtaposes these two characters deliberately, so that he would be able to contrast both their views on society which are very different. The mouthpiece of Priestly, Inspector Goole views all social concerns as interrelated issues. Inspector Goole believes that as human beings, we must take individual as well as collective responsibility for each other. And that some times we need to put other people’s needs before our own needs. I believe that the inspector wanted to prove to the Birling family, Gerald croft as well as the audience that we would all live in better cultural climate and peace, if we just acknowledge people’s feelings, needs and aspiration as well as our own and strike a balance between them. Nonetheless Mr Birling could not care less about other people’s feelings and thoughts, yet alone take individual responsibility for the damages he caused. He impulsively fells if a suggestion is made, which would cost him a few pennies, that that idea is a dreadful idea. All of Mr Birling’s opinions and vies are centred on entrepreneur views while inspector Goole’s opinion are mainly built around communalist or socialists views. The characters in this play are archetypes representing stereotypes of each section of the society class system on a smaller scale. The inspector represents those people in society who are both caring and compassionate to one another. On the other had Mr Birling represents those people in society, who are selfish and thoughtless, to other people’s feelings and the situation they are in. he is also portrayed as a self-indulged person who honestly does not give a care for anyone but himself and his family. This is suggested to us when Mr Birling says” But what so many of you don’t seem to understand now, when things are much easier, is that a man has to make his own way-has to look after himself- and his family too, of course, when he has one- and so long as he does that hw won’t come to much harm…”
Like the Titanic that was labelled “unsinkable”, Mr Birling and his family believe that nothing can sink or should I say rock their boat. He believes that his family can withstand all decadent weather conditions and that there were no flaws in his family. Furthermore Mr Birling was one of the five characters to bring Eva smith closer and closer to her breaking point and ultimately into her grave. He done his by sacking her from her job, because she and other workers had lead the workforce to a strike this was dye to her and the other members of staff deciding that they wanted an increase in their wages. During the Victorian era, workers were beginning to let it be known that they wanted to be given a part or role in the decision, in which was going to affect them. Through organised strikes and formation of trade union which pinpointed their actions they hoped to get their point across. When the inspector asked Mr Birling why he had done so, Mr Birling replied in a amazed manner, “Did you just say ‘why’?” he responded in that way because it was not the norm for those in charge on factories in this case Mr. Birling, for they believed and expected to have complete control and power over all aspects of their employees lives. Mr Birling being of a higher rank/class to the workers believed that he new best just like all the other bosses at that time and there fore made decisions for masses of workers and the company. Mr Birling didn’t even bother to give Eva smith a chance for her to explain herself before sacking her, and so Mr Birling helped to push her one step closes to the break of suicide.
It is also shown that most if not all of Mr. Birling’s predictions are false. A perfect example of this is when he says, “…the Titanic-she sail next week…and is unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable.” The audience knows that this statement is false for the Titanic did actually sink, when it hit an iceberg. Like the Titanic, which has sunk due to an impact with an iceberg, it also symbolizes the collision of the Birling family and the inspector as cracks and signs of weakening stared to appear on the Birling’s boat on the arrival of the inspector. We are pulled into the play as we observe two differently classed groups clash together with unexpected results.
Gerald Croft represents those in society who are of high significance. I believe this for his family is looked upon as those who are part of the upper classes. And with that type of status also comes a great load of responsibility in which he botched. For he was having an affair with Daisy Renton also known as Eva Smith at the same being engaged to Sheila Birling. His contribution the Eva Smith suicide was one of the most significant.
Another character whom Priestley uses to teach a lesson with is wife of Mr Birling, Sybil Birling a rather cold woman. She has dedicated herself to her husbands rise in society and evidently respects his achievement. Mrs Birling shows her dependence on her husband when she tells Sheila “Now just be quiet so that your father can decide what we ought to do.” Priestly presents her as a type in society, who is sophisticated, and impressed by social etiquette and outward appearance. She would always correct someone on either their use of incorrect register if someone is not being polite. She is very obstinate and unfeeling as well as stubborn towards other people. She reacts sharply to the inspector “what do you mean by saying that? You talk as if we were responsible”. I think it would be fitting to say that she is in a state of denial and has not shown little or no emotion about her role in the suicide. Mrs Birling was a prominent member of the Bromley Women’s Charity Organisation. It was her who persuaded that the committee should not help Eva Smith this was the last push which sent Eva into committing suicide.
Priestly dexterously waves the plot around the two-facedness of people like Arthur, Gerald and Sybil. The inspector grows as the individual members of the family are exposed. The inspector remains unbroken as each individual brake down by the intriguing questions of the inspector
Arthur, Sybil and Gerald represent the older mature generation who are unwilling or dead set against social change.
Like Eric and Sheila who reacts emotionally to the news about Eva smith’s death, represent the younger members of family show more sympathy and concern than their elders do. Perhaps Priestly is saying if we are going to change society our only hope is in the new younger generation, a generation which will accept change and revolutionise the way in which society thinks and functions.
Eva smith represents the type person in societies that are of lower-class, and are seen as very defenceless. She is portrayed as a woman who is deprived from her self-esteem and her confidence. She treated and addressed to like she has no worth by the higher class.
Throughout that particular time era women were seen as delicate, fragile and submissive to their husband or father. However, women at this time were trying to get the same privileges or rights as men had. Women of lower class were the exact opposite to Middle classed and higher classed women. Women of the lower class were expected to work for a living this is because it was the only way they could have a steady income and means of obtaining money moderately, in order to support themselves. The middle classed women like Mrs Birling were not permitted to work, but they only did charitable work. This was seen as tolerable as it was a caring role that fitted with the Edwardian idealist view, of woman. It was extremely hard for Women like Eva smith to become successful on a mainly male dominated society. Many men like Arthur and Gerald are the Predators on tope of the class system whilst Women like Eva are the powerless and weak prey at the very bottom of this class structure.
In my opinion” An Inspector Calls” is a well made play with interesting points on moral issues. The inspector seems to know what each character has done, and his probing question forces them to confess in their own way. Through out the play the inspector demonstrates how people are responsible for their actions and how it has an impact on others around you. His vies are once again summed up in the final speech “we are members of one body. We are responsible for each other”. The play has strong moral lessons in addition the writer keeps his audience in suspense at the end of each scene this is done by the use of dramatic techniques such as a dramatic situation, strange and unusual names, and dramatic irony.
