English Coursework - An Inspector Calls
English Coursework - An Inspector Calls An Inspector Calls - a tale of suspense and biting social criticism of an upper class family. With each minute that goes by another enigmatic incident is unravelled -leaving the reader engrossed by the ongoing tales of lies and deceit, that together form the plot for Priestley's masterpiece. Set in 1912, An Inspector Calls introduces us to the rich Birling family-comfortable in their upper-class luxury and middle-class morality. An unexpected arrival one evening converts a small family celebration to an interrogation with a twist. For gradually it is bought to light every member of this respectable family's complicity in a mysterious young girls fate-suicide. As the evening wears on, the Inspector introduces links between the late Eva Smith and each of the Birlings- and the family find themselves unable to return to their complacency-as they are led to believe their involvement in Eva Smiths death was far from innocent. The reason for setting 'An Inspector Calls' in 1912 is fairly obvious if you examine the writer himself and the chain of events happening around him. The play was written in 1945 and first performed in 1946. Priestly opens the play with a scene of great luxury-a wealthy family is celebrating an engagement in a rather lavish fashion. To an audience that had spent the years of the Second World War without the luxuries the
Who, in your opinion, is most responsible for the death of Eva Smith?
Who, in your opinion, is most responsible for the death of Eva Smith? In this essay I will explain the details of who I believe is the most to blame for the death of Eva Smith. I will aim to describe why each of the characters of the play is to blame for her death as well as describing the class situation and structure of the time, as well as why the events detailed in this play were allowed to happen. Overview An Inspector Calls by J.B Priestly was first performed in 1945. The play was set in 1912 before the war; it centres around the wealthy Birling family. A visit from the mysterious Inspector Goole proves to be a horrifying experience for the Birling's as they learn that they have all played a part in the suicide of a young girl called Eva Smith. Priestly's main aim was to encourage people to take responsibility for their actions, not to shift the blame on to others. Priestly attempts to convey his attitudes and ideas through the characters in the play. He uses the inspector to voice his own opinions. The Birling's are used to show how not to behave. He established each of his characters in the play the way he thought people were. The Birling's were very worried about appearances. The way they dressed and how their house was decorated. Their house had 'good solid furniture of the period'. `The general effect is substantial and heavily comfortable but not cosy and
Who is most responsible for the death of Eva Smith?
"The girl killed herself, and died a horrible death. But each of you helped to kill her. Remember that. Never forget it." This is what the Inspector tells the Birling family in Act Three. He is correct when he says that each one of them helped to kill this innocent girl, however which member of the family is most responsible? The story begins with a celebration of Sheila Birling and Gerald Croft's engagement, which is rudely interrupted by an unwanted visit by an Inspector. As the Inspector enters, he tells the audience "Two hours ago, a young woman died in the Infirmary. She'd been taken there this afternoon after swallowing a lot of strong disinfectant. Burnt her inside out, of course." The Birling family are shocked, but little do they know that the Inspectors startling revelations will shatter the very foundations of their lives, but cause them all to examine their consciences. The Inspector begins by getting the truth out of Mr Birling. Eva Smith had once worked for Mr Birling in his factory, and had fired her one-day because of a strike. Mr Birling has a justified reason for the expulsion of Eva from his factory, as in 1912 it was quite common for people to be fired after striking. However, when Mr Birling immediately shakes off the responsibility, immediately the audience take a disliking towards him. He tries to use power and his class to intimidate the Inspector,
Who is most responsible for the death of Eva Smith?
Who is most responsible for the death of Eva Smith? By Fahim Talukder 10SS There are many different attributes involving the death of Eva Smith. Each character pushed Eva Smith a little closer to suicide but nobody was solely responsible for her death. Whether one person deserves to take more of the blame than another does it is difficult to say. It was not only people that contributed to Eva Smith's death but her position in the world and the way in which her life worked out. This play can be seen in some people's eyes as a plangent and In Inspector Calls in Act Three, the Inspector Goole reveals to the Birling family, the girl died a "horrible death" but each of the Birlings "helped to kill her". In this essay I will be searching for whom who was the most responsible for the death of Eva Smith, and will be looking at the characters and how they act towards the Inspector. The Inspectors interaction with the characters and how he makes them push out the truth. Also I'll to contrast between the Inspector and Mrs Birling. I will examine each character in turn to assess their responsibility for the death of Eva Smith. This debatable play begins as the Birlings are celebrating the engagement of Sheila Birling and Gerald Croft. Everyone is very happy and the audience can sense a warm feeling around the house. The atmosphere at the beginning was very carefree and joyful. The
Who is most responsible for the death of Eva Smith?
Amy Grammer Who is most responsible for the death of Eva Smith? In my essay it will be necessary to look at how each character can be held to blame, the kind of crime committed, the girl herself and, most importantly, why Priestley wants us to think about who is responsible. To answer the question now, I will say briefly, that you cannot exonerate any character, however contrite they may be. I also don't think you can hold any character more responsible than another because I believe that it is the sum of each persons actions which presents the insurmountable obstacles from which there is no way out other that suicide. I don't think Priestley meant for us to hold individuals to different degrees of responsibility but rather hold society collectively responsible. To understand what is happening in the play we firstly have to understand what was happening in 1912. During the Industrial Revolution there were technical and industrial advances, which gave more power to the industrialists. This was taken from the landowners that had previously wielded power through agriculture. Society was much changed. Because of the new power of industrialism, people flocked form the countryside to the cities, creating the new urban working class of which Eva Smith was a member. Their workplaces were notorious for poor safety, inhumane working conditions and low wages. Capitalism was
Who is most responsible for the death of Eva Smith?
INSPECTOR CALLS EVA SMITH ESSAY TWO There are many different factors involved in the death of Eva Smith. Each one pushed Eva Smith a little closer to suicide but no one person was solely responsible for her death. Whether one person deserves to take more of the blame than another does it is difficult to say. It was not only people that contributed to Eva Smith's death but her position in the world and the way in which her life worked out. Mr Birling was the first person who we were led to believe started off the train of events that ultimately led to the death of Eva Smith. I don't believe that Mr Birling did anything wrong towards Eva after all the only thing he did was sack her from his factory after she started to cause trouble demanding higher wages. Any man in his position would have done the same. She was making trouble as Mr Birling said, 'She had a lot to say - far too much so she had to go'. Although I don't think that Mr Birling did anything really wrong regarding Eva he does not come off well throughout the play as he shows himself up a number of times because of his personality. The major flaw in his personality is that he seems to show no remorse for Eva who after all was a person. He seems to be a very hard man, and shows no regret for dismissing Eva, despite knowing that if he had not then she may still have been alive. He merely stated that, 'If you
Who is most responsible for the death of Eva Smith?
Who is most responsible for the death of Eva Smith? There are many different factors involved in the death of Eva Smith. Each one pushed Eva Smith a little closer to suicide but not one person was alone responsible for her death it's a moral issue. Whether one person deserves to take more of the blame than another does it is difficult to say. It was not only people that contributed to Eva Smith's death but her position in the world and the way in which her life worked out. Priestly really tries to hit homes the importance for care of your neighbour. Priestly was a socialist in his time, unlike most of the people around that time who were only interested in monopolising and individual gain. Priestly is trying to the point of collective responsibility. Mr Birling was the first person who we were led to believe started off the train of events that ultimately led to the death of Eva Smith. I don't believe that Mr Birling did anything wrong towards Eva after all the only thing he did was sack her from his factory after she started to cause trouble demanding higher wages. Any man in his position would have done the same. She was making trouble as Mr Birling said, 'She had a lot to say - far too much so she had to go'. Mr Birling always seems to want his own way and when he does not get it he resorts to threatening behaviour which clearly would make him unpopular with the
Who is to blame for the death of Eva Smith?
Who is to blame for the death of Eva Smith? "An Inspector Calls" written by J.B Priestley is set in 1912, a time when society was divided into three sections; working class, middle class and upper class. The Birlings' are a typical upper class family. Mr. Arthur Birling owns and runs a major business and has worked and married his way into the upper class. Mrs. Birling was born into the upper class, and there are times when she reminds Mr. Birling of this.Tthey have two children; Sheila and Eric. Eric is an alcoholic but his parents are unaware of this, and Sheila is engaged to a certain Gerald Croft. Eva Smith is the character used by Inspector Goole to teach this typical upper class family about the consequences of their actions on other people. Mr. Birling is lecturing Eric and Gerald after a quiet family dinner when Inspector Goole enters with the announcement that Eva Smith has committed suicide by drinking disinfectant. Eric and Gerald are shocked and horrified by this, because of the effect drinking disinfectant has: " Burnt her inside out, of course." Mr. Birling seems unconcerned about this though, and is only wondering who Eva Smith is, and what this has to do with him: " Horrid business. But I don't understand why you should come here, Inspector" After some questioning, Mr. Birling realises who Eva Smith is - an ex employee. Eva Smith was dismissed by Mr.
Who is to blame for the death of Eva Smith?
Who is to blame for the death of Eva Smith? 'An Inspector Calls' is a play by J.B Priestly; it is an intriguing tale of how the Birling family, an upper class family who live in the north of England in an imaginary town called Brumley, lead a young working class girl called Eva Smith to commit suicide. In act three the inspector tells the Birling family: ''The girl killed herself-and died a horrible death, but each one of you had a part to play helped to kill her. Remember that. Never forget it.'' Arthur Burling is the main man in the Burling family, and seems to control it, i.e. whatever he says - goes! The play is set in an imaginary town called Brumley, somewhere in the North of England. Mr. Burling has a selfish attitude towards life, and also an attitude to only care for himself and family, and basically forget everybody else, in fact, this is exactly what he tells a speech on at the celebration of Sheila's and Gerald's engagement, "... a man has to look after himself - and his family too, of course..." which gives the impression of the selfishness, and also greed. Another example of this is when he tells a speech about how it is the best day of his life, "Gerald, I'm going to tell you frankly, without any pretenses, that your engagement with Sheila means a lot to me. She'll make you happy, and I'm sure you'll make her happy. Your just the type of son-in-law I
Who was to blame for the death of Eva Smith?
Who was to blame for the death of Eva Smith? I don't believe that Mr Birling did anything wrong towards Eva after the entire only thing he did was sack her from his factory after she started to cause trouble asking for higher wages. She was making trouble as Mr Birling said, 'She had a lot to say - far too much so she had to go'. The personality of Mr Birling is that he seems to show no remorse for Eva who after all was part of his business (staff). He seems to be a very hard man, and shows no regret for dismissing Eva. He merely stated that, 'If you don't come down sharply on some of these people they will soon be asking for the earth'. I think Mr Birling does not even care if he had a part in killing Eva. When Mr Birling felt that the Inspector was asking too many questions Mr Birling says about the chief constable, 'Perhaps I ought to warn you that he is an old friend of mine'. Mr Birling seems as a dishonest, cold-hearted man. I think that Mr Birling's an over all disliked character in the play. I think Sheila was also to blame because Shelia was jealous of Eva. She even admits, 'it was my own fault', and that she 'was in a furious temper'. She was jealous of Eva describing her as a 'very pretty girl too - with big dark eyes'. Another reason why she was jealous, that she caught sight of Eva smiling at the
