From the moment the sinister inspector strides into the house he assumes control and his presence dominates the Birling’s household. But in spite of the families expressed annoyance, “yes, yes. Horrid business. But I don’t understand why you should come here, Inspector” Inspector Goole insists that he carries out his methodical investigation. It is not long before the audience are informed of the families’ involvement with Eva Smith.
The Inspector starts with Mr. Birling, who had fired Eva Smith (as she was known then) because she had confronted him on behalf of the unfair wages that he was paying his lower class workers. The Inspector showed that he wanted justice for the workers. However this was only a minor knock back for Eva.
The next character the Inspector approached was Sheila. Eva Smith had successfully obtained another job at Milwards dress shop working as a shop assistant. Sheila had one day gone shopping with her mother, angered by her mother’s dominating temper she had become flustered, looking rather unattractive she had become jealous of the pretty young Eva Smith whilst demonstrating a dress she wished to buy. When Sheila realised the dress didn’t suit her at all, she took offence and accused the innocent Eva of laughing at her, thus resulting in Eva losing her position there. The Inspector empathised that he wanted Sheila to control her temper and more importantly not to take it out on others.
The Inspector skilfully manipulates each character, each time asking questions in which makes the audience think that they are being accused; this also helps to build tension.
Next to be condemned is Gerald. He has his affair with Daisy Renton revealed in front of Sheila. When Sheila finds out about his affair she is genuinely upset. This is displayed by her deep cynicism towards Gerald. Sheila becomes hysterical after Gerald’s affair is revealed to her, and not after she learns of her involvement in the death of Daisy, and therefore is a sign of her deep feelings for Gerald and how she is damaged by his actions. When the relationship officially ends (when Sheila returns his ring in act 2) it is an emotional and dramatic moment in the play. There is tension for the audience whilst we wait to see how Mr. Birling will react.
Although the interviews with the Inspector get more and more dramatic Gerald’s actions are softened by those of Eric; the son.
The tension is at its highest peak when Eric is being cross-examined and his secret is revealed, the relationship between Daisy Renton and him. It is also the most disturbing part of the play for the family, especially for Mr. Birling. He learns that his own son is shown to be a thief and is an alcoholic, but by the worst, he was responsible for impregnating Daisy. Mr. Birling exclaims “you damned fool – why didn’t you come to me when you found yourself in this mess?”
Eric’s response – “because you’re not the kind of chap a man could turn to when he’s in trouble” this indicates that Eric and his father have never been close. In spite of Eric’s weak and at times shallow personality, as reflected by his heavy drinking, stealing and womanising, he is shown to have a heart. This is shown by his attitude towards his mother, where he blames her for his baby and Daisy’s death. “You killed her. She came to you to protect me and you turned her away”.
Mrs. Birling has her view of her family shattered by Eric. She is indulgent and very stubborn. From the beginning of the play to the end she believes steadfastly in her husband’s opinions. She looks down on others and is immediately prejudice against Daisy Renton, dismissing her death as she did when Daisy came to her for charitable help “girls of that class …..” Daisy had had come to Mrs. Birling to ask for money to support herself and protect Eric. Mrs. Birling had turned her down according to her class and had left Daisy nowhere else to go.
Priestley’s message is that we all have responsibility and we should look after each other no matter what our class this and is clearly demonstrated by the Inspector.
The Inspector wanted Mr. Birling to treat different classes equally and to show it in equal pay. He wanted Sheila to learn to control her selfish temper and not to take it out on others. The Inspector wanted Gerald and Eric to be more responsible for their relationships, and he wanted Mrs. Birling not to judge people by their class. He tries to make each character feel guilty for what they have done.
When the Inspector leaves, his role is transferred to Eric and Sheila. This shows that Eric and Sheila have managed to break away from their parent’s capitalist bigotry, and realise that the Inspector’s accusations were right. The lesson they have learnt shows their parents up as they prove them wrong.
Every so often the inspector describes the pain in which Daisy died in hopes of adding guilt. “yes, she was in great agony” He wants them to realise their social responsibility and not abuse their social position. Just before the inspector leaves, he remarks “ But each of you helped kill her. Remember that. Never forget it is important and we should all learn from of it because Eva Smith does represent millions of similarly desperate people with their lives, their hopes and fears, their suffering and chance of happiness, all intertwined with our lives, with what we say and do. We don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.”
After the inspector leaves Mr and Mrs Birling revert to their pre-inspector selves. Superior and affronted that they have been subjected to false questioning. They completely miss the point that just because he wasn’t a real inspector, that their behaviour towards Eva Smith/Daisy Renton doesn’t apply. They have no compassion for her, just relief that they have avoided public scandal. Gerald Croft likewise treats her death as fantasy, again denying himself the truth of recognising what part he had played in her death. Sheila and Eric have recognised their families and are full of remorse. They believe Gerald’s explanation of events when he claims “what girl? There were probably 4 or 5 different girls. How do we know any girl killed herself today?” and they still feel their actions could have made this tragedy happen, but they are tempted to believe that it hasn’t. The final telephone call concentrates all their feelings of guilt.
All are relieved when a phone call to the hospital seems to clear them of blame. The return call from the hospital stuns them and all realise that they will be damaged by the investigation to come. Not only will they have to repeat the evenings events but they will have to explain why they knew of a dying patient prior to her admission to hospital implicating them all in her death.
To create a feeling of mystery and power I imagine the inspector to be an older man, stocky build, almost softly spoken, and not too tall. Suited as worn by officials at that time, not conspicuous. The inspector shouldn’t move much. His manners should be direct, very little body language, and he should hold eye contact with intense stares. He must show that he can’t be intimidated as Mr Birling attempts to, almost as they meet. “I was an olderman for years and lord mayor two years ago- and I’m still on the bench!” informing the inspector that he is a public figure and a magistrate, more used to handing out punishment rather than being questioned himself by the police.
Mr and Mrs Birling are both angry with the inspector; they are social climbers and believe that they are beyond criticism.
Personally, I believe that Mrs Birling is the most to blame for Eva Smiths death. As you can survive changing and loosing jobs, and broken relationships, but Mrs Birling refused her charitable support, which would make the difference to Eva between a new start at life, or death.
