Who is most responsible for the death of Eva Smith?
Who is most responsible for the death of Eva Smith?
Although Eva Smith killed herself I think that everybody in the family is partly guilty for her death. I will assess each persons responsibility for her death and then see which person should take the majority of the blame.
Birling
When the inspector first begins to question him, Birling denies any knowledge of the girl, although when presented with a photograph, he remembers. "She was one of my employees and then I think that I discharged her." And then a little while later the reason becomes apparent. "She had a lot to say, too much, she had to go!" Birling also claims that she was one of the main people involved 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 death. To try to cover himself he says, "If we were all responsible for everything that had happened to everybody it would be very awkward!" He could be argue that he was just acting as a businessman, and as many other people 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, especially Eva Smith. In conclusion to Mr.Birlings involvement with her death, he did definitely play a part in her downfall, although how little or how much is debatable as he can be seen as treating her as he would anyone else. However he does seem to show very little concern towards her, he even denies that his actions had any consequence. This emphasises what a single, narrow-minded person he is.
Sheila
Mr.Birlings daughter thinks very differently from her father. Upon recognising the photograph she immediately runs out the room, as if in disgust of her previous actions, this is a complete contradiction to her fathers views. She later returns feeling guilty and says, "You knew it was me all along didn't you?" From this we can see that her character is sympathetic because of this guilt. Sheila goes on to explain how she was entirely responsible for Eva Smith loosing her job at Milward's. "I went to the manager at Milward's and I told him that if they didn't ...
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Mr.Birlings daughter thinks very differently from her father. Upon recognising the photograph she immediately runs out the room, as if in disgust of her previous actions, this is a complete contradiction to her fathers views. She later returns feeling guilty and says, "You knew it was me all along didn't you?" From this we can see that her character is sympathetic because of this guilt. Sheila goes on to explain how she was entirely responsible for Eva Smith loosing her job at Milward's. "I went to the manager at Milward's and I told him that if they didn't get rid of that girl I'd never go near the place again and I'd persuade mother to close our account with them. This shows that Sheila, like her father, abused her position as a wealthy and respected member of society, who could influence others due to her relations.
Sheila does however, try and accept the blame for the actions that she committed unlike her father, which is greatly in her favour. She also agrees with the Inspector when he says, "You used the power you had to punish the girl." And she says that she feels really bad about the whole thing. Sheila is full of guilt for what she did and she even says, "I know I'm to blame and I'm desperately sorry."
Gerald
Gerald Croft also has a significant involvement with the death of Eva Smith. Gerald recognises the name Daisy Renton as soon as he hears the inspector say it. After at first trying to make Sheila leave the room, for reasons that become more apparent later, he tells the story of how he met Eva Smith, or as he knew her Daisy Renton. He describes her as very pretty with soft brown hair and big dark eyes.
Gerald claims to have rescued her from somebody called Joe Meggarty at the county hotel. He is clearly upset by what has happened to her especially when he says, "She knew it couldn't last. She didn't blame me at all. I wish to god she had now. Perhaps I'd feel better about it! Gerald makes it out as if he was merely trying to help Eva Smith and then only later started a relationship with her, whether or not this is really true we don't know. After the explanation, he breaks up the engagement, makes some excuse and leaves.
His involvement with Eva Smith is perhaps the least significant, for her anyway, perhaps more for Sheila and Gerald. What we do know is that Gerald did attempt to help Eva Smith, unlike all the others, who were simply punishing her out of spite. However maybe Gerald was simply using her as his mistress for when he desired and he was just as guilty as the others in terms of responsibility. Even if Gerald had not been as responsible for the death of Eva Smith, his actions certainly had a consequence. He was engaged to Sheila, who after knowing that Gerald was having another relationship while they were together decided to split their engagement. This is something that Mr Birling would be equally upset about due to his business relations.
Mrs Birling
In some ways Mrs Birling seem to be very like her husband as she refuses to take any blame herself and tries to pass it on to others, which later becomes a very bad decision. Mrs Birling treats the inspector in a patronising and threatening way, "I realise you may have to conduct some kind of enquiry, but I must say you seem to be conducting it in a rather peculiar and offensive manner. You know of course that my husband was Lord Mayor only two years ago." This shows how highly she thinks of herself and that she is ready to abuse her position, like the other members of the family.
As a member of the Bromley Women's Charity Organization Mrs Birling is the last member of the family to have had contact with Eva Smith, having rejected Eva because she had used her family name to make a claim to the organisation, Mrs Birling ironically tells Eva Smith, "To look for the father of the child. It's his responsibility" Mrs Birling (like Mr Birling) refuses to acknowledge any guilt over Eva's death, even though she had been trying to protect the father of the child because 'he had been giving her stolen money' She does not realise of course, that she is making things much worse for her own son Eric, Mrs Birling even suggests that "He ought to be dealt with very severely."
Mrs Birling only later realises the truth at the end of Act Two, where she becomes very shocked and upset. As Mrs Birling is the last to have been in contact with Eva Smith and had the opportunity to offer help, her case is not good and shows what a selfish character she is. It seems that like her husband, Mrs Birling has only her own future in mind and does not seem to care about the needs of others. No regret is felt and it seems that she is totally unmoved by the whole incident, only caring when she discovers that her own son is involved.
Eric
Eric returns to the play in Act Three and under questioning from the inspector reveals the extent of his drinking problem, his relationship with Eva Smith and the fact that he was stealing money from his father's business in order to support her because she was pregnant. Although Eric is young and immature he feels genuine guilt and remorse about what he has done. When he discovers that his mother had turned Eva away, his guilt and remorse turn to anger, "Then you killed her! She came to you to protect me my child, your grandchild, you killed them both, damn you, damn you!"
I don't think that Eric and his father have a very good relationship either since Eric says, "You're not the kind of father a chap could go to when he's in trouble."
It is true that Eric has played, like the others, a part in the death of Eva Smith, although I think that this can be put down to his young age, whereas the others should have just known better. Eric did try to help Eva Smith after she became pregnant, albeit with money stolen from his father.
As a conclusion I think that all the characters have contributed something to pushing Eva over the edge. But I think that the character that stands out the most is Mrs.Birling. This is because she was given the chance to help Eva when she most needed, during pregnancy, but refused it. She also refuses to take any responsibility for her actions, which I feel, is entirely wrong especially as her children do.
Mr and Mrs Birling seem much more concerned about their reputation than with the death, while Eric, Sheila and Gerald are still in shock.
