We as the reasons haven’t been directly informed or given enough evidence to decipher whether Eva had died by indirect means, or by suicide.
The Inspector proceeds to slowly and painfully drag the truth out of each of the family members involved, trying to individually convince that, collectively yet individually, played a vital part in driving this unfortunate woman to her death.
Their snobbish behaviour to those lower down the “social chain” forced this woman out of two jobs and subsequently away from a charity organisation.
The Inspector makes an important statement before his departure of the Birling home;
“One Eva Smith has gone – But there are millions and millions of Eva Smith’s and John Smith’s still left with us, with their lives, their hopes and fears, their suffering, and chances of happiness, all intertwined with our lives, and what we think and say and do. We don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other. And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if people will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught in blood and anguish”.
This said, by the Inspector, is the most important speech in the play. The selfish attitudes of those whose stranglehold those less fortunate, will eventually get their “just deserts” Not by words, but by anguish and sorrow, felt only by those who harshly treat others, who are not in the same position as themselves.
Priestly conveys this message to the Birling family via the Inspector, who, following that final speech appears to be a Social Inspector more than anything else.
Each member of the family involved has a particular response to their involvement. However before and following the Inspector’s departure, everyone all had expressed sorrow, anguish, then blatant disregard, discarding their individual involvement which caused Eva’s death. The “children”, Eric and Sheila however still thought it was an issue which shuld not be discarded as if it is household refuse.
By thinking hey are “above the law” and that “money will solve all the issues of the world”, in the hope that this same thought can also help them for preventing a public scandal from arising in the public domain.
The Birlings’ collectively played a part individually to force Eva Smith to the brink of suicide for herself and her unborn child.
The “social snob chain” increases the more of a snob a person you can become. The Birlings’ (Especially the seniors’), who burned their bridges and look back at those without cares for those who may have helped them to achieve that current status.
An example is, “I blame the young man – He should be made an example of”. Mrs.Birling says this to attempt to shuffle the blame off herself.
Nevertheless, she was the final person who added the final nail in the coffin for Eva.
Everyone will reap what they sow, and for the Birling family, that crop is a public scandal about the murder/suicide of Eva Smith.
