Mr Birling makes a speech toasting the engagement, however it leads to business and we hear Mr Birlings philosophy “lower costs and higher prices” the audience not yet knowing that this is what lead him to sack Eva. There are many early clues to disaster in the moments before the inspector arrives, Birling says “there isn’t a chance of war” the audience watching the play would be fully aware of world war 1 and world war 2. Also Mr birlings referal to the “titanic” “unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable” however the audience are aware of how wrong he is. These all show that Mr Birling is over confident and pompous, he even talks of an impending knighthood.
Gerald comments “You seem to be a nice well behaved family”. The use of the word seem, suggests that it is just an appearance, and that maybe we will see another side to the Birlings. The Inspector calls, Gerald teases Eric about “being up to something” Erics reaction is a strong and sharp one which continues for a while. The audience wonders whether Eric has been up to something.
The Inspector enters, there is a complete change in mood and atmosphere, it becomes tense and dramatic. Mr Birling trys to make things less formal by offering the Inspector a drink, however the Inspector declines, not wanting to be distracted, not wanting to waste any time. Mr Birling tries to impress the inspector by reeling off a list of people he knows, he is trying to use his status to get him out of any trouble he may be in. However the inspector is not impressed by the list of names, he is quick to give a blunt and frank description of Eva Smith’s situation. The inspector only shows the picture of Eva to Mr Birling, the others are annoyed however the inspector is not concerned or intimidated he is not there to make friends he is there to get his job done. The inspector hints that Gerald may also be involved, this creates suspense. The inspector questions Mr Birling about why he sacked Eva, Mr Birling still thinks he is not responsible for Eva’s death. The audience will instantly think of him in a bad way, because he is not ashamed of his actions and their consequences.
The Inspector interrogates the whole family together but one by one to create tension, the audience see their different reactions and instantly warm to some of the characters, at this point Eric and Gerald are showing sympathy towards Eva Smith. Mr Birling is still trying to intimidate the inspector, however he comes off more intimidated. As Sheila enters she is instantly sympathetic towards Eva, however she does not know many of the events that have occurred.
Mr Birling’s attitude is quick to alter when he believes that he is no longer to blame for Eva’s death, this totally contradicts what he was saying ealier about looking after you own family, he proves to be very hypocritical. The inspector goes from person to person, although continually linking the events, the scandal leaks out slowly to entice the audience.
We soon learn that sympathetic Sheila was also involved in the downfall of Eva Smith, however we continue liking her character because she feels overcome with guilt and confronts it, making the audience sympathise with her. Eric and Sheila both appear to learn from the situation unlike their Mother and Father, Sheila supports the inspector “these girls aren’t cheap labour they’re people” She totally criticises her fathers judgement. Sheila accepts her part in Eva’s death the audience will prefer her to her mother and father.
At the end of the first act the inspector mentions “Daisy Renton” we see a dramatic reaction from Gerald so we are quick to establish who is going to be interrogated next. The last part in this act shows the audience how sharp Sheila is, she is soon to realise why Gerald was apart from her that summer and she has also realised the power of the inspector.
There is no break in time between the acts, Sheila is still aware of the power of the inspector. She knows that the truth coming out will benefit them in the future. She is willing to change her behaviour. Mr’s Birling enters and takes on the inspector ignoring many warnings from Sheila. The Inspector gradually reveals that Eric has a drinking problem, this outrages Mr’s Birling she would hate to admit that her son has a problem. Sheila is brutally honest knowing that the inspector is already aware of many things. Mrs Birling still thinks she can talk her way out of the problem just because she is of a higher class. Suddenly she comes under scrutiny, the audience will have been waiting for her to get her comeuppance. Mrs Birling eventually confesses to prejudice, she was he last person to see Eva and refused to help her. The audience will instantly think of her as a “baddie”. However Mrs Birling looks to blame the baby’s absent father, Sheila tries to stop her mother before its too late, as Mrs Birling is judging her own son. “I accept no blame for it at all” a very similar reaction to the one of Mr Birling, Sheila is the only one who has learnt from her mistakes and is willing to accept responsibility.
As we enter the last act, the inspector appears to be rushing, doesn’t have the time “when I’ve gone”. Eric’s part in the death of Eva/Daisy comes out, the inspector is not surprised, he appears to have already known. The Inspector is Priestleys voice and the Birlings conscience. The speech is all about community, and also memories of war. J.B Priestley is trying to get across a message, that we should learn from the past, change our ways if they are wrong. However once The Inspector has left we see that the only ones that have learnt are Sheila and Eric, Mr and Mrs Birling find out that no girl has died in the infirmary, which they think means they are in the clear, no public scandal will arise. Sheila and Eric admit they were wrong.
J.B. Priestley uses a detective story to keep the audience gripped and entertained, however there is also a strong undercurrent seen through out it. The play is supposed to teach people a lesson, a moral lesson. To show that a community should stick together, no matter what their class or status. The message is one from Priestleys own experiences, which makes it even more prominent throughout the play.
