How does Priestley use the inspector as a dramatic device to highlight the social issues in the play at the time it was set.

Priestley uses the inspector as a dramatic device to expose the Birling’s social irresponsibility. He does this by interrogating each and everyone of the family. Some of the social issues around at the time were class, sexism, equal rights and racism. These are all exposed in some form during the play.

He first speaks with Arthur ands discovers that Eva Smith (The girl in question) worked for Mr.Birling before he sacked her after their dispute about the amount of money she received, quote “They wanted the rates raised so that they could average about twenty five shillings a week. I refused, of course”. This dispute began the chain of events, which drove Eva to her death.

Sheila is the next person to confess her involvement in Eva’s life. It was at Milwards where Eva was taken on as a customer assistant. Unfortunately Sheila visited Milwards while Eva worked there. When Sheila tried something on and it didn’t look right she became jealous as Eva held it up to herself and it looked absolutely beautiful. Sheila complained to the store manager and used her position on the social ladder to get her own way, which meant that Eva would be once again without a job.    

Next Sheila finds out about Gerald’s fling with Eva, (then called Daisy Renton). Later on Gerald confesses this to the inspector. He explains that he met her at the Palace Bar, this was known