Who's to Blame?- An Inspector Calls

Who’s to Blame?- An Inspector Calls

Set in 1912 before World War 1, J.B Priestley’s “An Inspector Calls” exploits the difference between classes in that era. It also shows how the Upper class can completely change the lives of the lower working class. Written in 1945 when World War 2 was coming to an end,” An Inspector Calls” expresses Priestley’s thoughts and dreams through an upper class family and the death of a working class girl.

The play opens with the engagement party of Sheila Birling and Gerald Croft (son of a wealthy businessman)in the dining room of a house in the imaginary city of Brumley. Into these celebrations enters Inspector Goole, who announces an unpleasant suicide: a young woman named Eva Smith swallowed disinfectant and died. The connection of Eva Smith to the Birling family dates back two years when she worked in the Birling factory and was dismissed for being one of the ringleaders on strike for a pay rise.

The story is complicated by the Inspector's questions concerning Eva Smith's suicide. It is revealed that all the Birlings bear some responsibility as to her death. Mr. Birling sacked her, Gerald Croft had an affair with her, Mrs. Birling's son Eric made Eva pregnant and Mrs. Birling's charity committee refused to help her when she asked for help. She refused to marry him, as she considered him too immature at that time. So the Inspector forced on each of the Birlings the knowledge that they all played a part in bringing Eva Smith to her death.

The Inspector leaves and it dawns on the Birlings that he might have not been a real police officer. Both the calls to the hospital where Eva Smith was supposed to have died, and to the local police station establish that there was neither a suicide reported nor a police officer called Inspector Goole. The Birlings immediately reject all accusations, but Sheila and Gerald maintain that they all have made themselves guilty. At the end of the play there is a final telephone call announcing that there is a police inspector on his way to the Birlings to ask them some questions on the suicide of a girl who has just died on the way to hospital.

This is a preview of the whole essay

Starting with Arthur Birling I am going to brake down the family one by one and see who is really responsible for Eva’s death. Mr. Birling being the man of the house, he likes to think he is always right. He tries to share his wisdom, ” And I say there isn’t a chance of war,” this shows he’s a bit pig headed and very patriotic towards his country and about the Titanic by saying that our technology’s the best possible. Arthur thinks to blame him for Eva Smiths death is a crime in itself, Arthur Birling one of the wealthiest men in Brumley could have any part in the cause of suicide appalling to even think it. It started when she asked for a pay rise and naturally Arthur refused because he is greedy, tight fisted and tries to pay as minimum wages as he can. All Arthur had to say about knowing her was,”She was one of my employees and then I discharged her.” Eva and many other leaders of a strike got sacked all because they wanted better pay than twenty two and six a week which was hardly enough to live off. He, unlike J.B Priestley, thinks “If we were all responsible for each other it would be very awkward wouldn’t it” whereas Priestley thinks we should all help each other like in a community.

Sheila is Arthur’s daughter who gets everything she wants when she wants and its nothing to do with her,” It’s not my fault” and,”What do you mean by saying that? You talk as if we were responsible. She got Eva sacked from Milwards( a clothes shop) because when Sheila was in the shop Eva gave her a funny look as the dress she was trying on looked horrible but when Eva held it against herself it suited her. Out of pure jealousy she got her sack and I think that is childish and immature,” She was lucky to be taken on at Milwards”.

Gerald first met Eva in a bar Eva had changed her name to Daisy Renton. They then started seeing each other more often. Gerald cared for Sheila this is shown when he is trying to hide the truth from her, as he does not want her to get hurt.

Eva went to Brumley Women’s Charity Organization under the name of Mrs. Birling where Sybil worked and needed help but was turned down because Sybil knew she was lying and had something to hide. She thinks she had nothing to do with it her like her daughter,” I’m sorry she should have come to such a horrible end but I accept no blame for it at all.” Eva went to her when she needed help the most but she turned her down and now she is dead so I think she is very much to blame for her death.

Gerald reacts with an outbreak to control Sheila. He does not want his relationship and future marriage to fall apart. All actions have consequence he has to realize this. Once inspector Goole makes Gerald face the truth he admits that is what actually happened. However once the truth is out that Inspector Goole is not real he thinks that all that has been brought out that night is fictitious and there is no sufficient truth to back up what has really happened. Gerald is also concerned that the truth of his affair will affect his future life with Sheila. "Where do you get the idea that I know her?" He is concerned at the fact the Inspector is squeezing out the truth. Gerald reacts by throwing a negative comment at the Inspector, but it does not work. He is doing this so that he does not lose Sheila; if the truth is revealed he believes that he will. By this time in the play Eva Smith is clearly trying to move on. She has changed her name to Daisy Renton. He reacts immediately when the Inspector says this name, which the Inspector notices. Gerald is shocked at the fact that Eva Smith is dead. "Sorry - I - well, I've just suddenly realized - taken it in properly - that she's dead-" Gerald is distressed at this point. He has just realized that she is dead and also that he has helped to lead Eva to commit suicide. Gerald has learnt from his experience, but not to the extent that Sheila and Eric have. Once everyone finds out that Inspector Goole is not real, he helps Mr. Birling and Mrs. Birling realized that their reputation can be salvaged. "But how do you know it's the same girl?". He convinces Mr. and Mrs. Birling to question the stability of what had happened that night. Gerald, unlike Sheila and Eric, does not move on, accept the truth and learn from it. Gerald is still going to be part of the wealthy capitalist society and going to carry on and think that he is not part of the one community. However, when the Inspector asks him about what happened with Eva Smith he admits straight away what the Inspector thought. Gerald did not have to learn as much; he unlike Mr. Birling, Mrs. Birling, Sheila and Eric actually cared for Eva. Gerald knows what has happened and in the back of his mind always will do, he will never fully admit responsibility, but has learnt slightly from this experience. The more truthful Gerald is this will help with his and Sheila's relationship.

Gerald may not be as responsible, but Eric his brother-in-law is very responsible. Eric has not matured yet the audience can see this through his actions and all actions lead to consequences. Eric is immature and is very responsible for Eva's death. Eric slept with her due to lust, got her pregnant, and offered her that was stolen from his father’s company. His immaturity is shown. Eric had slept with Eva out of lust and also because he was drunk. "I wasn't in love with her or anything - but I liked her - she was a pretty good sport." Eric does not care about Eva; he just likes her, as she is a pretty face. He sleeps with her more than once. Eric does as he pleases yet again he steal fifty pounds from his father's company and does not tell anyone, however it is not for him, he tries to give it to Eva, but she refuses it. Showing a bit of responsibility but has done enough to be blamed for the suicide of Eva Smith.

By Gary Wilkinson