An Inspector Calls
Discuss the guilt of each member of the family. What is the Inspector's role?
Arthur Birling: Talks at people not to people "I don't often make speeches at you." self-made man and accidentally show's his past "Arthur, your not supposed to say such things." hypocrite, unsympathetic to those less fortunate.
Underpaid workers, they wanted "twenty-five shillings a week" 2.99 more than they already "averaged." Mr Birling refused because "its my duty to keep labour costs down... we'd have added twelve per cent to labour costs." They went on strike. Sacked Eva Smith for being "one of" "four or five ring leaders." "She had a lot to say - far too much - she had to go." His excuse is "If you don't come down sharply on some of these people, they'd soon be asking the earth." Mr Birling starts the domino effect rolling; because of his action, she has to find a new employment, which brings her into contact with Sheila. [Eva: working class martyr?]
Sheila: her and Gerald's relationship in slight turmoil; "Yes, that's what you say." Acts immaturely but lets out that she knows more than she is showing "Yes, go on mummy." "Your squiffy." Sheila is the first to show emotion "Oh - how horrible!" "But these girls aren't cheap labour - they're people." First, to realise her responsibilities "So I'm really responsible?" First, to realise the truth about the inspector; "he knows. Of course he knows." Sheila got Eva sacked from "Milwards" because she was in a "furious temper" and when asked if it was the girls fault she answers; "No, not really. It was my own fault." The reason for her rage was she "tried something on" and it "just didn't suite *me at all." In addition, after her rage she "caught sight of her smiling at the assistant." When asked if she had been "jealous of her" she answers, "Yes, I suppose so." Due to Sheila's interference, Eva's last chance at a better life is ruined.
Discuss the guilt of each member of the family. What is the Inspector's role?
Arthur Birling: Talks at people not to people "I don't often make speeches at you." self-made man and accidentally show's his past "Arthur, your not supposed to say such things." hypocrite, unsympathetic to those less fortunate.
Underpaid workers, they wanted "twenty-five shillings a week" 2.99 more than they already "averaged." Mr Birling refused because "its my duty to keep labour costs down... we'd have added twelve per cent to labour costs." They went on strike. Sacked Eva Smith for being "one of" "four or five ring leaders." "She had a lot to say - far too much - she had to go." His excuse is "If you don't come down sharply on some of these people, they'd soon be asking the earth." Mr Birling starts the domino effect rolling; because of his action, she has to find a new employment, which brings her into contact with Sheila. [Eva: working class martyr?]
Sheila: her and Gerald's relationship in slight turmoil; "Yes, that's what you say." Acts immaturely but lets out that she knows more than she is showing "Yes, go on mummy." "Your squiffy." Sheila is the first to show emotion "Oh - how horrible!" "But these girls aren't cheap labour - they're people." First, to realise her responsibilities "So I'm really responsible?" First, to realise the truth about the inspector; "he knows. Of course he knows." Sheila got Eva sacked from "Milwards" because she was in a "furious temper" and when asked if it was the girls fault she answers; "No, not really. It was my own fault." The reason for her rage was she "tried something on" and it "just didn't suite *me at all." In addition, after her rage she "caught sight of her smiling at the assistant." When asked if she had been "jealous of her" she answers, "Yes, I suppose so." Due to Sheila's interference, Eva's last chance at a better life is ruined.