At first Priestley introduces Sheila Birling as a selfish, childish and lively person. Her language shows the audience she judges people by their appearance the very first thinks she asks about Eva smith is if she’s ‘pretty?’ However her reaction begins to change when she finds out about Eva tragic death ‘Oh how horrible’. Her language shows as, she is understanding, forgiving and ready to learn from her mistakes. Priestley makes the inspector such a powerful and stable character so that he can divert the audience’s beliefs and morals. Sheila is genuinely remorseful at Eva’s death ‘ but these girls aren’t cheap labour, they’re people’. Sheila believes in equality. Her language is less sophisticated unlike Arthur and Sybil Birling who are really bothered about social status, which is shown by their use of elevated attitude. Sheila attitude changes later she is deeply affected by the Inspector Goole’s words.
This show’s the audience the moral is only accepted by the children who
Seem to be more influential on the parents rather than the parents on the children.
Mr Birling is introduced as an arrogant, pompous and a shallow man who refuses to accept responsibility for Eva’s death. When the inspector arrives he feels intimidated so he tries to use social superiority and status to undermine the Inspector. The language used by Mr Birling is boastful, sarcastic and forceful and he uses to express that he is not responsible for Eva’s death without being intimidated. Mr Birling talks about public men having responsibilities as well as privileges. This is very significant because he can’t accept to take responsibility for the very fact that he has affected Eva’s life so how on earth is he going to take even bigger responsibilities.
Mrs Birling also refuses to help Eva smith she tells her to make the father responsible. This is also significant the very fact that Mrs Birling has not taken responsibility of her own child actions and therefore he has come out to be a rapist.
Mr and Mrs Birling remain unchanged until the final act. Mr Birling remains to be a pompous arrogant capitalist he does not change from ignorance to knowledge. Mr and Mrs Birling see no reason why they should have to accept the Inspector’s knowledge when they are socially superior to the Inspector.
Gerald at first was seen as considerate and someone who had morals. He helped Eva’s Smith out of a disgraceful situation and lent her some keys to a room. Until he thought he had enough and so he decided to leave her all by her self. This shows the audience he has acted irresponsible for his actions and as the play progresses his character becomes less sympathetic and considerate.
By the end o the play only some of the characters feel more responsible due to the Inspectors long speeches in the final act. Whereas Arthur and Sybil Birling remain to behave as if nothing had happened and there had whatsoever no connection with Eva Smith’s death.
