In your view, who is most responsible for the death of Eva Smith?

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Jay Darji In your view, who is most responsible for the death of Eva Smith? Set in the early part of the twentieth century, ‘An Inspector Calls’ was a play written by J.B. Priestly In nineteen forty five. The play is based on the death of a woman in her twenties who had committed suicide. The cause of her death was the effect that people had on her to make her life a misery. There was no crime committed by these people it was a moral crime for them to understand from their mistakes. The idea of the play, and particularly the role of the inspector are to try to bring the Birling family to understand that they have a moral responsibility for the death of Eva Smith. This point is very significant and is the basis of the entire play, to grasp it is imperative to the understanding of the play, without this, an analysis of who is responsible would be far more difficult. Throughout the story we find out which characters are affected by the death and realise their responsibility for the death of Eva Smith. Priestly is making the point that we are all responsible for each other in society and we must all act accordingly. Priestly cleverly disguises his own voice through one of the characters, the inspector. He tells the audience of his views of life through the character and explains reasons of histories tragic events such as the world wars.                                                                                                 I will begin by discussing the role in which Arthur Birling has played in the demise of Eva Smith. Arthur Birling is a self-made man who has built Birling And Company into a successful local business. At the start of the play Birling is described as a pretentious, selfish, complacent man, ex-Lord Mayor, potential Knighthood and “sound useful party man” who plays golf with the chief of police. Certainly an influential figure, within the community. A man, that conveys respect.  He had started the downfall to the life of Eva Smith. When the inspector begins to question him, Birling denies any knowledge of the girl, although when presented with a photograph, remembers, “She was one of my employees and then I discharged her”. Reasons for which later become apparent, “She had a lot to say, too much, she had to go,” apparently Eva Smith had particular involvement in a strike at his factory. The strike was caused due to poor pay and long hours, although he refuses to accept any responsibility for her
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death, “If we were all responsible for everything that had happened to everybody it would be very awkward.” Arthur Birling actually has a fair point here and it could be argued that he was just acting as a businessman, as many others would do. However, it is true to say that he was acting only in his own interests and was not particularly keen on aiding others. After accusations from the inspector, Birling attempts to intimidate the inspector, although his threats prove weak, “Now look here inspector, I consider this uncalled for and officious. I’ve half a mind to report ...

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