“ The Titanic, unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable”
“They’ll be peace and prosperity and rapid progress everywhere”
“Russia will always be behind naturally”
Priestly emphasises to his audience just how out of touch Birling is and that he really knows nothing about politics. The irony is that the Titanic sinks and very soon Russia will show its true political strength in 1914 when Britain in plunged into World War One. Yet Birling believes he to be “a hard-headed practical man of business”. These blind ideas convince people to dislike him. The audience especially dislike Birling because when the play was first shown in 1945 people were still recovering from the affects of war. Priestly tries to illustrate in these powerful ironic speeches his hatred for the businessman who is only interested in him and making profits.
Arthur Birling is glad because of the engagement as Gerald is the son of his business competitor and it will merge the businesses together. Gerald’s parents are upper class aristocracy and in that social circle, it is all in a name. The aristocracy hold a title that is inherited. The only other way to receive a title is through the government or monarchy. Mr Birling finds the knighthood important, as it means the involvement of a title. A title to say, “well if the government can accept me, then you can too!” He has the money, the wife, and the expectant son in law but the knighthood would be the icing on the cake.
In the opening text of the book it gives a short description of Mr Birling: -
“Arthur Birling is a heavy looking, rather portentous man in his middle fifties with fairly easy manners but rather provincial in his speech”
Mr Birling is an arrogant and recognisable capitalist. He doesn’t like the communist idea of everyone helping each other: -
“The way some of these cranks talk and write now you’d think everyone has to look after everybody else, as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive -community and all that nonsense”
He is strongly against socialism and solely believes that everyone is responsible for themselves and their own. He worked his way up the social ladder, and if he can then why can’t everyone else do the same? Birling’s feelings are summed up in the last sentence he says before the inspector arrives: -
“A man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own”
Through the middle of the dinner there is a knock at the door. This is where we meet Inspector Goole ready to disapprove Birling’s point. He tells the family that a girl has committed suicide and that in one way or another they are responsible. The Inspector interrogates each of the Birling family in turn; with each of them he makes a point that they have acted selfishly and used Eva Smith. They didn’t think about the effect they would have had on her life. The Inspector challenges us all to examine our consciences.
Arthur Birling is a self made man. Priestly shows him to be a pompous, selfish, complacent man. He is certainly an influential figure within the community, a man that conveys respect. When the Inspector begins to question him, Mr Birling denies any knowledge of the girl. However, when presented with a photograph, remembers: -
“She was one of my employees and then I discharged her”
Reasons for which later became apparent: -
“She had a lot to say - too much - she had to go”
Apparently Eva Smith had led a strike at his factory due to poor pay and long hours. Still, after this revelation, Birling refuses to accept any responsibility for her death: -
“If we were all responsible for everything that had happened to everybody it would be very awkward”
Birling has a fair point here and it could be argued he was acting as a businessman, as many others would do. However, it is true to say that he was only acting 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 you”
The Inspector proves unconcerned as Birling continues to abuse his position as ex-lord mayor and associate of the Chief of Police.
In conclusion to Arthur Birling’s involvement in the death of Eva Smith, it is true to say that he did 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. What is relevant however, is how little concerned he appears to be, in fact denying that his actions had any consequence. This shows a distinctive trait of his character and emphasises what a single narrow- minded individual he is.
Sheila Birling, Arthur’s daughter has a very different set of characteristics. As she recognises the woman in the photo, she runs out of the room as if in disgust of her previous actions, a complete contradiction to her fathers views. She later returns guiltily: -
“You knew it was me all along didn’t you?”
Immediately her character is shown to be sympathetic because of this guilt. Sheila then goes onto explain how she was totally responsible for Eva Smith loosing her job at Milwards, after jealousy got the better of her when she tried on a dress that didn’t suit her as much as it did a ‘sly smiling’ Eva: -
“I went to the manager at Milwards 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 member of the community, who could influence others due to her relations. Sheila does however, feel great guilt for the actions that she committed, she agrees with the Inspector when he says: -
“You used the power you had to punish the girl”
Unlike her father, Sheila is full of sorrow and remorse for what she did, the Inspector supports her when stating: -
“She feels responsible”
Sheila does in fact say that: -
“I know I am to blame, and I’m desperately sorry”
Shelia is also the first to realise that the Inspector has a strange type of power, when Mrs Birling is arguing with him, Sheila warns her: -
“You mustn’t try to build up a king of wall, the Inspector will just break it down and it will be all the worse when he does”
This later becomes even more apparent when the plot evolves. Sheila’s character is totally unlike that of her fathers, where she accepts responsibility. Arthur Birling completely refuses to accept liability. It is obvious from what Sheila says that she believes that she is to blame and accepts responsibility. It is also clear to see that her character and views have been altered by the event and the impact of the Inspector.
Gerald Croft, the only person who is not a direct relation to the Birling family, but is engaged to Sheila, also has a significant involvement with the death of Eva Smith. Gerald recognises the name Daisy Renton as soon as he hears the Inspector mention 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 new her Daisy Renton. He describes her as: -
“Very pretty - soft brown hair and big dark eyes”
Gerald claims to have rescued her from: -
“Horrible old Meggarty”
in the County Hotel and set her up in a friend’s set of rooms, where she later inevitably, became his mistress. He is clearly upset by what has happened to her: -
“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.”
A question that must be asked however, is just how genuine is he? Gerald makes out as if he was merely trying to help Eva Smith and only later started a relationship with her, whether or not this is true is unknown. After the explanation, he makes excuses and leaves. Gerald’s involvement with Eva Smith is perhaps the least significant, for Eva Smith anyway, perhaps more for Sheila and Gerald. What is a fact is that Gerald did attempt to help Eva Smith, unlike all the others, who were simply punishing her out of spite. Or maybe Gerald was simply using her as his mistress for when he desired and he was guilty as the others in terms of responsibility. Even if Gerald had not been responsible for the death of Eva Smith, his actions certainly have a consequence as he is engaged to Sheila, who now knows that Gerald was actively having another relationship while they were together. This puts their relationship into doubt, something that no doubt Mr Birling would be displeased about.
Mrs Birling shows characteristics in some ways, to be very similar to her husband, and denies any responsibility herself, instead choosing to blame others, which later becomes a very bad decision. Mrs Birling treats the Inspector in a patronising, 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 other members of her family.
As a member of the Bramley Women’s Charity Organisation, Mrs Birling is the last member of the family to have had contact with Eva Smith, having rejected Eva because she had used the family name to claim to the organisation, Mrs Birling ironically tells Eva Smith: -
“To look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility.”
Mrs Birling refuses to acknowledge any guilt over Eva’s death, even though the girl was trying to protect the father of the child because: -
“He had been giving her stolen money”
And that he was: -
“A youngster, silly wild and drinking to much”
She does not realise of course, she is describing her own son Eric, Mrs Birling even suggests: -
“He ought to be dealt with very severely”
Mrs Birling only realises the truth at the end of Act Two, where she becomes shocked and upset. As Mrs Birling is the last to come into 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 prospects in thought and is distinctly uninterested by the needs of others, no regret if felt and it seems that she is totally unmoved by the whole incident, only caring when her son is involved.
Eric Birling returns to the play in Act Three and under questioning from the Inspector reveals the extent of his drinking, his relationship with Eva Smith and the fact that he was embezzling money from his father’s business in order to support her because she was pregnant. Although Eric is young, immature and naïve, he feels genuine guilt and remorse about what he has done. When he discovers that his mother has turned Eva away, his guilt and remorse turns 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!”
It is also shown that Eric and his father have no relationship: -
“Your not the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble”
It is true that Eric has played, like others, a part in the death of Eva Smith, although this can be put down to naivety and youth, whereas the others should have known better. Eric did try to help Eva when she became pregnant.
By the time the Inspector has left, it is quite clear that each member of the Birling family has contributed to the death of Eva Smith.
Using Gerald Croft as the dramatic device, Priestley then shows that Inspector Goole does not exist. The reactions of the family then change to that of relief for Mr and Mrs Birling, whilst Gerald, Eric and Sheila still feel guilty and regret what they have done. It seems that the alder generation are unmoved by the experience, while Sheila and Eric are at complete odds with their parents. Eric then says: -
“And I agree with Sheila. It frightens me too. It’s still the same rotten story whether its been told to the police Inspector or not”
The phone then rings with news that an Inspector is being sent over in connection with the death of a young women and the scenario starts again. Mr and Mrs Birling seem more concerned about their reputation than with the death, while Eric, Sheila and Gerald are still in shock.
In conclusion, it would be unfair to blame a single person, as each character contributed to the death of Eva. It may be more wise to blame society and they way in which we live, as it is Eva Smith’s class and time that set her apart, no real crime has been committed and it is more a case if social conscience, consequently a moral responsibility, should be shared by the family and their future actions affected to aid others and not just themselves. The play is not so much about the Birling family themselves, but about society in general, Priestley shrewdly performs this as he manipulates the effect of time difference to get his message across. He sets the play in 1912; however, his audience at the time was in 1945. Therefore he puts the audience in a reflective mood, to look back at the catastrophic events and tribulations that commenced from 1912 onwards. Most of the audience will look back on it in a negative light; it was an era of bad fortune for many. The Titanic sank, the First World War embarked and the working class of the western world lunged into a great depression, as there was a loss of jobs and lack of money. It was not an experience to return to, as Priestley highlights.
The Inspector tried to change The Birling family by showing them, and making them realise how their capitalistic views can affect others.
The Inspector’s purpose was to turn the family’s ideas about life community and: -
‘A man has to look after him-self and his own’
Upside down. Inspector Goole is a characternym as it suggests a ghoul or a ghost, but that link is not made until near the end of the play. The Inspector’s description: -
“He need not be a big man, but he creates at once an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness. He is a man in his fifties, dressed in a plain darkish suit of the period. He speaks carefully, weightily and has a disconcerting habit of looking hard at the person he addresses before actually speaking”
The Inspector’s mannerisms including the way he speaks are different to Birling’s to create the most impression on the family and audience. The unfamiliarity of the Inspector could also prove intimidating for Birling, and coupled with the solidarity and purposefulness of the Inspector’s persona it is not surprising that he manages to take control of the situation from the beginning.
Described as creating ‘an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness’, the Inspector grows as the stories of each character are revealed. He remains solid and unbroken as each of them breaks down, and nothing the others can do or say distracts them from this purpose. He arrives at the Birling’s home just after Mr Birling has been setting his view of life: that every man must only look out for himself. The Inspector’s role is to show that this is not the case. Throughout the play he demonstrates how people are responsible for how they affect the lives of others and his views are summed up in his visionary and dramatic final speech. It is the Inspector who makes things happen. Without him none of the secrets would otherwise come out into the open.
The Inspector leads the characters to confront their own weaknesses, which makes them feel shocked and guilty. He is a catalyst for the evening’s events. In the Inspector’s last speech, he says: -
“But just remember this. One Eva Smith has gone – but there are millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us, with their lives, their hopes and fears, their suffering and their chance of happiness, all intertwined with our lives, and what we think and say and do. We don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other. And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire, blood and anguish. Good night”
The Inspector performs a very important speech that covers all the main themes of the play, and allows Priestly to get his message across. The speech is very dramatic and is quite similar to a political speech. It is so powerful as he uses words like ‘us and we’ and memorable phrases like ‘fire, blood and anguish’. A part of what Priestley is trying to get across here is we need to use collective responsibility in order to maintain peace in the world. If we don’t, then it could result in war, because of personal suffering or as in this case, someone committing suicide.
There are no directions or indication as to how the Inspector would have performed this speech. Therefore, I think the speech would have been performed very seriously with a commanding tone, spoken slowly and carefully so the audience would get the full dramatic effect. This way Priestley’s aim would come across in a good way. I think the Inspector’s speech would have provoked much discussion in the audience because of the powerful language used and because he left the scene directly after making the speech. The audience may discuss amongst themselves whether they agree with the Inspector’s speech. If they do, they’d probably feel pleased and if not, they’d feel guilt and shame. I think that this play would have made a strong impact on the audience, as the message was very poignant considering the country had just suffered a Second World War.
The Inspector’s name – ‘Goole’, is significant. It is a homonym. Ghoul, another form of the word has exactly the same sound but it’s meaning has a bearing on the play. A ghoul is an “evil spirit”. To Birling, and his upper class peers; this is an accurate interpretation of the Inspector. Priestley wants the Inspector to waken the audience; at the time the book was conceived World War II has scarred society. The atrocity of World War I had been relived again; classes were ripped apart, socialism was trying hard to reshape society. The metaphysical aspect of the Inspector is ever evident, no more so when he prophesises World War One: -
“Fire, blood and anguish”
This heightens the enigma surrounding the Inspector.
In 1912, when the play was set, it was virtually only rich men who could vote. The poor people’s opinions were virtually unheard as if they were invalid or irrelevant. This was apart of the social system that made Priestley very angry; it was as if the poor didn’t really matter. Priestley was very much against this; he was somewhat a revolutionary and fought for equal rights and unity between all people. As it stood the rich would always stay rich and the poor would definitely stay poor, as they had no say in what happened to their country. The rich rarely considered this at all, and never thought something should be done about it. Priestley’s play shows this as the Inspector makes everybody responsible for the girl’s death, this makes them at least think about how their actions can effect others, and makes them realise that no-one should have to go through pain like that just because of their social standing.
An Inspector Calls delivers an important message to society. It is a message of mutual responsibility and shows how everyone has a role to play in society, and that we should do as much as we can to help others, because we know what effects our actions will have on their lives. Priestley hoped this play would create unity-making people prevent something before it happened.
The socialist message is delivered through the mouth of the Inspector, who takes on the role of teacher to the Birling family. He hopes to teach them moral values and respect for everyone, no matter how poor.