Priestley portrays Mr Birling and Inspector Goole views of life, as widely divergent. He deliberately juxtaposes these two characters, so that he could contrast both of their views on society. Inspector Goole, the mouthpiece of Priestley, views all social concerns as interrelated. He believes that we, as humans, must take collective as well as individual responsibility, for each other. Inspector Goole’s main objective is to teach not only the Birling family and Gerald Croft a lesson, but to also prove to the audience that we will all live in a much better cultural climate, if we consider other people’s feelings, needs, and aspirations, as well as our own. However, Mr Birling couldn’t care less about other people’s thoughts and feelings. He instinctively feels that if a suggestion is made, which will cost him a few pennies, it is a terrible idea. All of Mr Birling’s opinions are mainly built around capitalist views while the Inspector’s opinions are mainly built around socialist views. Mr Birling represents those people in society, who are very selfish, and thoughtless, to other people’s feelings. The Inspector represents those people in society, who are both very caring and compassionate to one and other.
Mr Birling was one of the five people to help bring Eva Smith closer and closer to her breaking point. He did this by firing her, due to the fact that she, and some other members of the staff, had led the workforce to a strike. This was because they had decided that they all wanted an increase in their wages. At that time, workers were beginning to let it be known that they wanted to have a say in what happened to them. They did so through strikes and the formation of trade unions to coordinate these actions. When the Inspector asked Mr Birling why he did this, he replied in a surprised manner, “Did you say ‘Why’?” He said this because it was strange to those who owned factories and workplaces, in our case Mr Birling, because they expected to have complete control over all aspects of their workers’ lives. The owners, being of a higher class than the workers, also believed that they knew best, and should then make decisions for the masses. However, like most bosses at that time, Mr Birling did not give Eva Smith the chance to explain herself before firing her, and so he helped to push her to the verge of suicide.
Priestley portrays Mr Birling as a self-indulged person, who truly, and utterly, does not care for anyone but himself and his family. This is revealed to us when Mr Birling says, “But what so many of you don’t seem to understand now, when things are so 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 he won’t come to much harm…”
It is also indicated to us that the majority of Mr Birling’s predictions are entirely false. An example of this is when Mr Birling says, “Why, a friend of mine went over this new liner last week – the Titanic – she sails next week … and is unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable.” We know that this statement is entirely false because the Titanic actually did sink, when it hit an iceberg. The imagery that Priestley employs here is quite profound. Like the “unsinkable” Titanic, Birling believes that his family has no flaws. However, this false worldview of Arthur is soon to be shattered when an Inspector arrives and strips away the veneer of hypocrisy and ignorance and exposes the Birlings for who and what they really are.
We also learn from the play, that Birling is a very determined man – someone who aspires to an elitist lifestyle and high social ranking. He has high hopes of gaining Knighthood, due to his services as a magistrate and as Lord Mayor, and is very determined to ascend the ladder of upward social mobility, possibly to the rung of aristocracy. This is shown in the way in which he compares his lifestyle to the mother of Gerald Croft, Lady Croft, who is already, part of the aristocracy.
Another character whom Priestly uses to teach us a lesson with, is Sybil Birling, the wife of Arthur Birling. He presents her as a type in societies, who is sophisticated, and very impressed by social etiquette and outward appearances. The reason for this statement is because she would always corrects someone on either their use of incorrect register if someone is not being polite, or if someone has brought up a discussion which she feels is inconvenient. She is also portrayed as very tenacious and unfeeling. This is because she remained completely untouched by the Inspector’s methodical questioning, since she refused to see how Eva’s death could have resulted as a consequence of her actions. However, coming to the revelation that her actions had possibly led to the death of her “grandchild,” she shows little or no emotion. I think it would be apt to say that she is in a state of denial.
Both Arthur and Sheila represent the older generation who are reluctant or resistant to social change.
However, unlike their parents, Sheila and Eric both represent the part of society who are non-resistant to change. This is because, whilst Mr and Mrs Birling refused to believe that they had helped contribute towards Eva Smith’s death, both Sheila and Eric are moved to emotions of both shock and guilt. Priestley tries to demonstrate to us that this could be the new generation of hope. A generation that will accept both change and will revolutionize the way in which society thinks.
Eva Smith represents the type of persons in society that are of working class, and are seen as very vulnerable. Due to this fact, people of higher classes, such as Gerald Croft, feel the need to exploit them. Her vulnerability could have resulted from her being an orphan. This statement was made simply because neither one of her parents were mentioned in the play. Eva Smith is also portrayed as a young woman who is deprived of both self-esteem and confidence. This may be the reason why she is seen to be completely at the pity of men. The reason for her feeling that she was of no importance, could have been a reason for taking her life, and was looked upon in that way by the Birling family and Gerald Croft. However, in the end, she proves herself by being just as important as they are.
Gerald Croft represents those in society who are of very high importance. I say this because his family are looked upon as those who are a part of the aristocracy. Nevertheless, with very high importance comes great responsibility, and this was the department that Gerald had failed in. He failed in this simply because while courting Sheila Birling, he had an affair with Eva Smith/ Daisy Renton. However, whilst most of the members of the Birling family stayed at the house, to be interrogated by Inspector Goole, he was the first person to fall suspicious of the Inspector, and decided to go and ask a policeman, whether or not Inspector Goole was a real Inspector. This proved that he was the quicker thinking person of the group.
During the time that this play had been set, women were seen as subtle, weak and obedient to their husbands or fathers. However, women at this time were trying to get the same rights as men. Mrs Birling, a woman of middle class, were not allowed to work, but only did charitable work. This was seen as acceptable as it was a caring role that fitted with the Edwardian idealist view, of women as mothers and carers. Sheila then follows the path by not working; the only occupation that was mentioned was shopping. Eva/ Daisy is the complete opposite. Women of the lower class were expected to work for a living. This was because it was the only way that they could obtain money fairly, so that they can support themselves.
The play also shows that it was extremely difficult for any Eva Smith to be successful in a predominantly male dominated society. Men like Gerald and Arthur are the predators and the Eva Smiths are their defenceless and vulnerable prey.
My opinion of “An Inspector Calls” is that it is a very spellbinding, fascinating, and an amazing play. My reason for this is because the play allows us to relate to what is going on in life today. It also reminds each and everyone of us that we need to look out for one another. The play has strong moral overtones and the Inspector maintains the moral high-ground from the moment he arrives on the scene until he leaves. The way Priestley keeps his audience in suspense at the end of the scenes, is incredible. He does this by using dramatic techniques such as a dramatic situation, strange names, and dramatic irony, to captivate the audience. To say that the play has impacted me profoundly, is indeed an understatement.
Comments: This is a terse and succinct analysis.
Candidate shows excellent insight into events.
Excellent comment on the historical and social background of the play.
