Setting Act 1Quote ExplanationThe general effect is substantial and heavily comfortable, but not cosy and home-like

They say that a house reflects a person’s true nature and the Birlings are no exception. The Birling’s house is described as being “heavily comfortable”, indicating their wealth, but it is not “cosy” or “home-like”, indicating their how conscious they are of their status. The furnishings in their house are used predominantly to display how rich they are but it gives no indication that there is any warmth.

The lighting should be pink and intimate, until the INSPECTOR arrives, and then it should be brighter and harder

The lighting in this play is important for two reasons. One, to indicate a change in atmosphere and two, to create dramatic tension. Here, the lighting tells us that the arrival of Inspector Goole has disrupted what was previously a pleasant evening of the Birling who were celebrating Sheila’s engagement and Mr Birling’s rise in social status. The pink lighting indicates an intimate atmosphere whereas the brighter one represents the harder light that police uses when questioning their suspects.

(If a realistic set is used, then it should be swung back…you can have the dining-table centre downstage during Act One, when it is needed there, and then swinging back can reveal the fireplace for Act Two, and then for Act Three can show a small table with telephone on it downstage of fireplace…

The simplistic set does not distract from the action on stage. However, each set change indicates the change in pace of the play. In Act One, the dining table suggests a harmonious family unit. In Act Two, the removal of the dining table suggests that everybody is now on edge given the arrival of the Inspector. They are no longer sitting at the dining table enjoying supper. Rather, are forced to face the incessant and harsh questions of the Inspector. In Act Three, the telephone represents the Birlings’ last hope that Inspector was merely someone who was trying to con them. However, as we shall see later on, the telephone plays an important role in final cliffhanger of whether or not the Birlings’ were truly innocent or guilty and their contribution to Eva Smith’s death.

We hear the sharp ring of a front door bell. BIRLING stops to listen. The sudden ring of the doorbell interrupts Birling’s speech, announcing the arrival of the Inspector. It is important for the doorbell to be loud and heard by all as it indicates the arrival of something of someone, in this case Inspector Goole, who does not care Birling’s perceived wealth and status.

The INSPECTOR enters, and EDNA goes, closing the door after her. The closing of the door suggests that Birlings have no idea what is going to come through the doorway. Thus, they are caught entirely by surprise. This element of surprise and mystery is representative of Inspector Goole as we see later on.

The door slowly opens and the INSPECTOR appears, looking steadily Again the mystery of the Inspector is emphasized. He appears to

and searchingly at them know much more than what he lets on. The slow revealing of the Inspector highlights the idea that he sees all and knows all.

Act 2Quote ExplanationAt rise, scene and situation are exactly as they were at the end of Act One. The INSPECTOR remains at the door for a few moments looking at SHEILA and GERALD. Then he comes forward, leaving door open behind him.

Leaving the door open suggests the Inspector has nothing to hide while Gerald and Sheila clearly do. This openness that the Inspector demonstrates is not something is often seen in the Birling household and gives the Inspector an almost authoritative advantage over them. Because he has nothing to hide and thus leaves the door open when he comes question Sheila and Gerald, this indicates that eventually everything will be revealed; all the crimes that they have committed will eventually be revealed.

INSPECTOR holds up a hand. We hear the front door. They wait, looking towards the door. ERIC enters, looking extremely pale and distressed. He meets their inquiring stares. Curtain falls quickly.

The cliffhanger at the end of Act Two creates tension and suspense. The curtain falls quickly at the end of Act Two is used by Priestley to create tension suspense. The audience, at this point in the play would want to know why Eric looks “pale and distressed” and whether or not he has contributed to Eva Smith’s death. The curtain falling quickly serves to indicate the beginning of play’s climax and to emphasize the Inspector’s final speech later on in Act Three.

Act 3Quote ExplanationExactly as at the end of Act Two. ERIC is standing just inside the room and the others are staring at him

This suggests that Eric is singled out, indicating that the Inspector will next question him. From what we have seen so far, although each of the Birlings and Gerald has contributed to Eva Smith’s death, with each succession of questioning, the more directly each has become involved. Thus, Eric’s involvement would be greater than Gerald’s, and by putting him on the spot, the others are collectively drawing away from him, letting him burn, the way they have in succession.

The telephone rings sharply. There is a moment’s complete silence. BIRLING goes to answer it.

It creates dramatic tension for the audience. When the Birlings first think that because Inspector Goole is fake, they think that they have nothing to fear about. However, the telephone ring suggests otherwise.

He puts the telephone down slowly and looks in a panic-stricken fashion at the others.

As Mr Birling receive news of Eva Smith’s death through the telephone after the Inspector leaves, they realize that they were just questioned about a future event, further emphasizing the otherworldliness of the Inspector.

As they stare guiltily and dumbfounded, the curtain falls. The cliffhanger here makes the audience question two things: One, whether or not will the Birlings will act as they have before and two,

the nature of the Inspector.

ThemesTheme Quote ExplanationResponsibility

Clearly linked to the theme of remorse is that of responsibility. Priestley’s socialist beliefs inform the play and create a clear message for the audience about an individual’s responsibilities for their own actions but also for the way in which their actions affect others. For Mr Birling, looking after himself and his family is all the matters. However, the events of the play and the arrival of the Inspector forces Birling to see his responsibility to others.

INSPECTORBecause what happened to her than may have determined what happened to her afterwards, and what happened to her afterwards may have driven her to suicide. A chain of events.

This conveys the theme of collective responsibility, that everyone is responsible for everyone else. There is also an element of foreshadowing.

BIRLINGYes, well we needn’t go into all that.…BIRLINGOh – just before you came – I’d been giving these young men a little good advice.

Clearly, when the Inspector says that everyone is responsible for everyone else, Birling agrees that a chain of events might have caused Eva Smith’s death. However, he does not agree that even he has been a cause, it does not follow that he is the cause and thus is not responsible directly for her death. But if he is a catalyst in Eva Smith’s death, it would render what he said earlier in the play void. Since he believes that everyone should mind their own business, being a catalyst in Eva Smith’s death would result in proving that his actions do affect other people and subsequently, what he said early on the play would not make sense. Also, on further note, Birling does not want the Inspector to humiliate him further.

INSPECTORYes. She was out of work for the next two months. Both her parents were dead, so that she’d no home to go back to. And she hadn’t been able to save much out of what Birling and Company had paid her. So that after two months, with no work, no money coming in, and living in lodgings, with no relatives to help her, few friends, lonely, half-starved, she was feeling desperate

Inspector Goole goes into much detail of Eva Smith’s life in order to make the people in the room feel guilty and even guiltier when they find out the role they play in her death.

INSPECTOR…she’ll feel she’s entirely to blame, she’ll be alone with her responsibility.

Sheila has never been responsible for anyone else before so by learning that she is responsible for Eva Smith’s death, she is unable to deal with said responsibility if she left now. But if she stayed and the responsibility of Eva Smith’s death is shared between the Birling family, she would feel better.

SHEILAAnd probably between us we killed her.

She seems to take responsibility for her actions and acknowledge the fact that her actions have impact on other people, contrary to her character early on in the play.

SHEILAIt means that we’ve no excuse now for putting on airs and that if we’ve any sense we won’t try…And if you’re not telling the truth, why should the Inspector apologize? And can’t you see, both of you, you’re making it worse?

Sheila recognizes the futility of trying to avoid the Inspector. Clearly, now that she has admitted fault for her actions towards Eva and tries to convince her parents to stop avoiding the Inspector’s persistent questioning.

INSPECTORBut just remember this. One Eva Smith has gone – but there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us, with their lives, their hopes and fears, their suffering and 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 learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.

The parallel structure demonstrated here is linked to the idea of collective responsibility and socialism. In his closing remarks, the Inspector refers to “millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths”, both “Eva Smith” and “John Smith” referring to common names, thus, representing common people and therefore, the theme of socialism. He also mentions that they are “members of one body” who are “responsible for each other”, referring to the idea of collective responsibility. The element of foreshadowing in the biblical imagery of “fire and blood and anguish” may refer to World War I and World War II, both wars in which Priestley and his audience have already experienced.

Class, status, and power

Status and social standing is something that characters in the play value highly. To many, it defines their worth as human beings. Mr Birling recognizes the higher social standing of Gerald’s family and this, besides the business benefits his marriage to Sheila will bring, values him highly. Mrs Birling is described as socially superior to Mr Birling, and this may account for their marriage. Both Mr and Mrs Birling are very high in social standing and recognize it in an attempt to intimidate the Inspector. Mr Birling’s panic towards the end of the play is

BIRLINGGiving us the port, Edna? That’s right. (He pushes it towards ERIC) You ought to like this port, Gerald. As a matter of fact, Finchley told me it’s exactly the same port your father gets from him.

As it is an occasion of celebration, we see that Birling does not even try hide that fact that his daughter is now of the same social status as Gerald’s family. Even the port that he is drinking is determined by who drinks that specific port. It also emphasizes as a new member of the upper-middle class, he tends to look to the older member of his class as a guide how he can advance his own social status.

MRS B.(smiling) Very well, then. Just a little, thank you. (To EDNA, who is about to go, with tray.) All right, Edna. I’ll ring from the drawing-room when we want coffee.

Note the difference in style and language between Arthur and Sybil. Sybil, who is from a higher status than Birling, speaks much more distantly and coldly. She is a very proper woman who is very aware of her role in life. Arthur, on the other hand, is much more

because of the threat to a scandal as this ruins his social standing.

Each of the character’s status is linked to power that they hold in society. The play concerns itself with the way people exercise power in society. We are shown various forms of power: industrial, physical, sexual, emotional, parental, and monetary. The reasons behind people’s abuses of power are also explored. These range from envy, pride, lust and idleness to greed and a desire to feel important. Priestley’s asks us to recognize the abuses of power and to question the shallow values of status and class.

provincial in his tone and less aware of how people perceive him when he speaksBirling’s character is that he likes to talk about his status and how he has held high positions. He is afraid that people, like the Crofts, will look down on him because he has only recently been part of the middle-class.

BIRLINGYes, well we needn’t go into all that.…BIRLINGOh – just before you came – I’d been giving these young men a little good advice.

Clearly, when the Inspector says that everyone is responsible for everyone else, Birling agrees that a chain of events might have caused Eva Smith’s death. However, he does not agree that even he has been a cause, it does not follow that he is the cause and thus is not responsible directly for her death. But if he is a catalyst in Eva Smith’s death, it would render what he said earlier in the play void. Since he believes that everyone should mind their own business, being a catalyst in Eva Smith’s death would result in proving that his actions do affect other people and subsequently, what he said early on the play would not make sense. Also, on further note, Birling does not want the Inspector to humiliate him further.

BIRLINGPerhaps I ought to warn you that he’s an old friend of mine…

Here we see that Birling feels intimidated by the Inspector because he is not used to be interrogated and questioned by someone he sees as of a lower class. Thus, he uses his status and power to assert his authority over Inspector Goole.

BIRLING(with marked change of tone) Well, of course, if I’d known that earlier, I wouldn’t have talked about reporting you. You understand that, don’t you, Inspector? I thought that – for some reason best known to yourself – you were making the most of this tiny bit of information I could give you. I’m sorry. This makes a difference. You sure of your facts?

Birling’s tone is much nicer than when he is being interrogated because now he knows that there will be others that will go through the same interrogation as he did. We learn that Mr Birling is extremely selfish and feels relieved that he is not the only one to be publicly humiliated. He later gets angry because he realizes a family is a unit and whatever happens to them (their private affairs) also affect his reputation as well. It is not possible that he feels guilty for what he

has done. He feels angry because he doesn’t know any way else to react.

MRS B.(smiling, social) Good evening, Inspector.

Mrs Birling clearly has a lot of self-control even when she knows the Inspector is here to question her family. She behaves in well-mannered way and pretends as though nothing is wrong.

MRS B.That – I consider – is a trifle impertinent

Pretentious

GERALD(cutting in, rather impatiently) Mrs Birling, the Inspector knows all that. And I don’t think it’s a very good idea to remind him –.

Gerald realizes that trying to intimidate the inspector using her social status is futile. As he has already experienced the Inspector’s interrogation, he knows that the Inspector will use words to manipulate people into admitting what they did wrong.

BIRLING(angrily) Inspector, I’ve told you before, I don’t like your tone nor the way you’re handling this inquiry. And I don’t propose to give you much more rope.

Birling becomes angry at the Inspector’s questioning and interrogation because although he understands him and his family are under questioning for Eva Smith’s death, he still thinks that someone of lower social standing like the Inspector must treat his family with much more respect. He is not used to people of lower social class treating him any less than respect.

MRS. BIt’s disgusting to me.

Mrs Birling thinks that only the lower class engages in immoral behaviour and the higher the class, the better morals are. She is disgusted by the fact that Gerald is engaging in what she thinks is lower-class behaviour.

MRS B.Yes, I think it was simply a piece of gross impertinence – quite deliberate – and naturally that was one of the things that prejudiced me against her case.

Mrs Birling doesn’t think that Eva respects her and she thinks her duty is dependent on how well she likes a girl.

MRS B.Oh – she had some fancy reason. As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!

It tells that she thinks highly of herself and her class.

BIRLINGNeither do I. If you’d had any sense of loyalty –

The Birlings have double standards. Mr and Mrs Birling demand full loyalty from their children even though they, as we saw previously from Mr Birling, would be willing to withstand the interrogation as long as their

children had to go through the same thing.ERICWell, I’m not old enough to be married, aren’t I, and I’m not married, and I hate these fat old tarts round the town – the ones I see some of your respectable friends with.

Clearly we see that the upper-class does not have morals Mrs Birling upholds them to. Although Eric at first seems to be immature, we learn that he sees more than his parents do because he does not pick and choose the things he wishes to see.

MRS B.I was the only one of you who didn’t give in to him. And now say we must discuss this business quietly and sensibly and decide if there’s anything to be done about it.

Because Mrs Birling is proud, she wants face in her family so she refuses to admit she feels ashamed for what she has done.

Young vs. Old

The Generation gap is represented by Sheila and Eric, the younger generation, and Mr and Mrs Birling, the older one. It suggests how set in the traditional values the older they get but that the young people are more receptive to change. Throughout the play we see instances where Priestley is attempting to increase support for Socialism with the younger generation because he believes that they would be more receptive to revolutionary ideas. Mr and Mrs Birling represent the older, more conservative generation who believe in taking care of only themselves and to that where class and status are inherently important. Gerald, on the other hand, is in the middle. He represents those who do not outwardly support socialism but can see the potential benefits it can bring to society.

SHEILAYes, but you don’t believe me. And this is the wrong time not to believe me.INSPECTOR(coolly) We often do on the young ones. They’re more impressionable

Priestley is speaking through Goole in an attempt to appeal to the young people the perks of socialism. The role that he plays is one of presence and Priestley understands that young people tends to attract to those that have one of presence.

BIRLINGBy Jingo! A fake!

The colloquialism that he uses here shows that he is not born into the middle-class. It also shows how hopeful he is at catching the Inspector’s lie. His reputation will not be ruined and he does not have to worry about his social status that he has worked so hard to climb into.

MRS B.I was the only one of you who didn’t give in to him. And now say we must discuss this business quietly and sensibly and decide if there’s anything to be done about it.

Because Mrs Birling is proud, she wants face in her family so she refuses to admit she feels ashamed for what she has done.

BIRLINGNow listen, you two. If you’re still feeling on edge, then the least you can do is to keep quiet. Leave this to us. I’ll admit that fellow’s antics rattled us a bit. But we’ve found him out – and all we have to do is to keep our heads. Now it’s our turn.

Birling is excited and relieved that the Inspector is a fraud. He doesn’t like being humiliated and upstaged so he will jump at the chance to do the same to the supposed “Inspector”

ERICI don’t see much nonsense about it when a girl goes and kills herself. You lot may be letting yourselves out nicely, but I can’t. Nor can mother. We did her in all right.

We can see Eric’s humanity in this quote in that Eric feels remorse for Eva Smith and understands the role that he played in her death. Unlike his parents and Gerald, Eric doesn’t try to sugar-coat his problems; he is

brave enough to admit his role and brave enough to admit his problems.

Capitalism/Conservatism

In the play, Mr Birling represents a capitalist society. This is an economic system that is based on private ownership of industry. The problem with capitalism is that it often leads to the few exploiting the many and creates a situation where those who have money have the power to stop others from sharing the wealth. Capitalism is often part of conservatism. Conservatives that people should take greater responsibility for themselves. Traditionally, conservative governments keep taxation low in the belief that people enjoy the benefits of hard work and success. Opponents of conservatism believe it reduces social mobility and that it benefits the rich over the poor. Thus throughout the play we see a constant struggle between Sheila and Eric and Mr and Mrs Birling.

BIRLINGNo, we won’t. It’s one of the happiest nights of my life. And one day, I hope, Eric, when you’ve a daughter of your own, you’ll understand why. Gerald, I’m going to tell you frankly, without any pretences, that your engagement to Sheila means a tremendous lot to me...Your father and I have been friendly rivals in business for some time now - though Crofts Limited are both older and bigger than Birling and Company - and now you’ve brought us together, and perhaps we may look forward to the time when Crofts and Birlings are no longer competing but are working together - for lower costs and higher prices.

Thus we see that the “happiest nights” of his life are not that his daughter is getting married but rather, his daughter is getting married to someone from a higher social standing and more wealth. In a sense, it can be argued that Birling treats his daughter as a commodity, someone who can be traded for better business and higher ranking. Thus, Birling is essentially a selfish man; he looks out for himself first and second for his family.

BIRLING...We employers at last are coming together to see that our interests - and the interests of Capital - are properly protected. And we’re in for a time of steadily increasing prosperity.

Here we see that Birling’s values reflect those of many wealthy middle-class business owners at the time. In the newly-capitalistic society, the middle-class were the new class of wealth and status and thus, many families wanted to protect their own interests to continue to be wealthy and continue to climb up the social ladder. Priestley, as you will see later on, is clearly disapproving of this type of thinking.

BIRLING...let’s say, in 1940 - you may be giving a little party like this - your son or daughter might be getting engaged - and I tell you, by that time you’ll be living in a world that’ll have forgotten all these Capital vs Labour agitations and all these silly little war scares.

Again we see an element of dramatic irony. When the Titanic was first constructed, it was thought to be unsinkable. However, as the audience now knows, it sunk on its maiden voyage, which is counterintuitive to what Birling is trying to say. Similarly, in 1940, many European countries were on the verge of war. Young men were being drafted into the army regardless of their wealth and status and the threat of Germany was looming, thus, we see once again that Birling’s credibility is challenged.

BIRLING(solemnly) But this is the point…a man has to make his own way – has to look after himself – and his family too, of course, when he has one…

This demonstrates Birling’s character very well in that he is selfish and does not see that his actions impact not only his family, his class but also everyone around him including those he sees as of a lower social standing. Symbolically, he represents conservative and

capitalist ideals. He believes in making his own money regardless of who he steps on to get there and not looking out for anyone except himself and his immediate family.

BIRLINGYes, well we needn’t go into all that.…BIRLINGOh – just before you came – I’d been giving these young men a little good advice.

Clearly, when the Inspector says that everyone is responsible for everyone else, Birling agrees that a chain of events might have caused Eva Smith’s death. However, he does not agree that even he has been a cause, it does not follow that he is the cause and thus is not responsible directly for her death. But if he is a catalyst in Eva Smith’s death, it would render what he said earlier in the play void. Since he believes that everyone should mind their own business, being a catalyst in Eva Smith’s death would result in proving that his actions do affect other people and subsequently, what he said early on the play would not make sense. Also, on further note, Birling does not want the Inspector to humiliate him further.

Socialism

In basic terms, socialism is the belief that as a society, we have to look after one another. In particular, socialists believe that the rich has a responsibility to look after the poor. In socialist societies, taxation is higher in order to

The INSPECTOR enters, and EDNA goes, closing door after her. The INSPECTOR 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.

He is in a plain darkish suit without any physical distinguishers or fancy layers. He is symbolic of the notion of socialism. The Inspector not only is representative of this but also a physical embodiment. In other words, he could be any person on the street and doesn’t see the need to decorate himself with badges so long as he fulfils his purpose.

fund a more considerable Welfare State – the term for all organisations designed to help people. Socialist wants to see the collapse of the class system so that people can achieve and live good lives irrespective of their background. Throughout the play we see that Priestley constantly pushes for the support of socialism and its principles. Inspector Goole acts as the mouthpiece for Priestley, often spouting socialist theories and principles during his

INSPECTORBecause what happened to her than may have determined what happened to her afterwards, and what happened to her afterwards may have driven her to suicide. A chain of events.

This conveys the theme of collective responsibility, that everyone is responsible for everyone else. There is also an element of foreshadowing.

INSPECTOR(dryly) I’ve had that notion myself from time to time. In fact, I’ve thought that it would do us all a bit of good if sometimes we tried to put ourselves in the place of these young women counting their pennies in their dingy little back bedrooms

In this excerpt, through Inspector Goole, Priestly is preaching to the wealthy about how the notion of the wealthy is wrong.

INSPECTORBut just remember this. One Eva Smith has gone – but there are

The parallel structure demonstrated here is linked to the idea of collective responsibility

questioning of the Birlings. millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us, with their lives, their hopes and fears, their suffering and 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 learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.

and socialism. In his closing remarks, the Inspector refers to “millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths”, both “Eva Smith” and “John Smith” referring to common names, thus, representing common people and therefore, the theme of socialism. He also mentions that they are “members of one body” who are “responsible for each other”, referring to the idea of collective responsibility. The element of foreshadowing in the biblical imagery of “fire and blood and anguish” may refer to World War I and World War II, both wars in which Priestley and his audience have already experienced.

Remorse and GuiltAn Inspector Calls is seen as a morality play, one that deals with instructs about the condition of man and deals with good and evil. The characters in the play are guilty of various stages of the seven deadly sins – pride, sloth, gluttony, envy, covetousness, lust and anger. The Inspector asks the characters to reassess their perception of what makes a person good and respectable citizen, and exposes what appears to be a respectable family to their misdeeds, naturally places the play in a religious context of some sort with the Inspector as a prophetic being. He asks the characters to repent for their sins and to reach spiritual enlightenment. In this respect remorse, a deep sense of regret and guilt for a misdeed, is a theme that Priestley explores.Remorse is not an emotion which is expressed by every character. However, it is a key theme in the play, which links with Priestley’s intentions to create a play in which character’s learn something by the end. Different characters react to

INSPECTOR takes a photograph, about postcard size, out of his pocket and goes to BIRLING Both GERALD and ERIC rise to have a look at the photograph, but the INSPECTOR interposes himself between them and the photograph. They are surprised and rather annoyed...

One of the reasons why the characters are shown the photo one at a time is to create tension and to put them in the spotlight. The eventual downfall of Eva Smith was due to each of those people in order. The Inspector must show the picture to them one at a time, to make them feel responsible for their contribution to Eva Smith’s death.

SHEILAAnd probably between us we killed her.

She seems to take responsibility for her actions and acknowledge the fact that her actions have impact on other people, contrary to her character early on in the play.

SHEILAIt means that we’ve no excuse now for putting on airs and that if we’ve any sense we won’t try…And if you’re not telling the truth, why should the Inspector apologize? And can’t you see, both of you, you’re making it worse?

Sheila recognizes the futility of trying to avoid the Inspector. Clearly, now that she has admitted fault for her actions towards Eva and tries to convince her parents to stop avoiding the Inspector’s persistent questioning.

INSPECTORBecause she’d been turned out and turned down too many times. This was the end.

She kills herself because everyone uses her then discards her.

ERIC(nearly at breaking point) Then – you killed her. She came to you to protect me – and you turned her away – yes, and you killed her – and the child she’d have had too – my child – your own

The way that Eric thinks and his family thinks is different, and so creates the underlying tension between them. This links to the idea of public image, where on the surface, they

their guilt differently. grandchild – you killed them both – damn you, damn you. seem like a good family unit but underneath, they are not a family at all. Furthermore, it shows how distant Mrs Birling is from her son.

ERICI don’t see much nonsense about it when a girl goes and kills herself. You lot may be letting yourselves out nicely, but I can’t. Nor can mother. We did her in all right.

We can see Eric’s humanity in this quote in that Eric feels remorse for Eva Smith and understands the role that he played in her death. Unlike his parents and Gerald, Eric doesn’t try to sugar-coat his problems; he is brave enough to admit his role and brave enough to admit his problems.

Public image and hypocrisyThe play is set at a time when public image and respectability were paramount. People in the Edwardian era valued appearances highly. Married couples could have affairs as long as public image and respectability were maintained. Whatever people did that was shameful did not matter as long as no one found out. The elder Birlings and Gerald all try to conceal their actions from the Inspector because of this need to maintain public appearances.

Concern with appearances causes characters to lie and to act hypocritically. Gerald appears to love Sheila, yet he has an affair with Daisy Renton. Mrs Birling presents herself as a respectable citizen, an upstanding member of the community and Brumley Women’s Charity Organization, yet she refuses Eva Smith help. Mr Birling presents himself as a family man, yet Eric does not feel he can go to him for help.

GERALDIf possible – yes.

INSPECTORWell, we know one young woman who wasn’t, don’t we?

The Inspector uses a play on words to manipulate Gerald into admitting what he did.

MRS. B(staggered) Well, really! Alderman Meggarty! I must say, we are learning something tonight

Mrs Birling does not see what is in front of her, even though everyone else seemed to know about Alderman. She clearly does not think that someone of her class would behave in the same manner of what she thinks that those of lower class do. She thinks that the morals of the upper-class should be more rigid and upright than the morals of the lower-class

INSPECTOR(massively) Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges.

Again this is an element of foreshadowing. He is talking halfway through something that he clearly doesn’t want his father to know about.

MRS B.Certainly. And he ought to be dealt with very severely –

SHEILA(with sudden alarm) Mother – stop – stop!

Mrs Birling doesn’t realize she is talking about Eric whilst Sheila, on the other hand, realizes that the person responsible is Eric and tries to get her mother to stop. We see an example of Mrs Birling’s moral uprighteousness. She thinks that if someone committed a sin, they should be dealt with a punishment equal to their sin.

BIRLINGNeither do I. If you’d had any sense of loyalty –

The Birlings have double standards. Mr and Mrs Birling demand full loyalty from their children even though they, as we saw previously from Mr Birling, would be willing to withstand the interrogation as long as their children had to go through the same thing.

ERICWell, I’m not old enough to be married, aren’t I, and I’m not married, and I hate these fat old tarts round the town – the ones I see some of your respectable friends with.

Clearly we see that the upper-class does not have morals Mrs Birling upholds them to. Although Eric at first seems to be immature, we learn that he sees more than his parents do because he does not pick and choose the things he wishes to see.

BIRLINGI convinced it is. No police inquiry. No one girl that all this happened to. No scandal–

This parallel structure demonstrates that Birling is obviously more concerned of a possible scandal and is relieved that the Inspector is a fake. Furthermore, we can see that he feels neither remorse nor regret for what he has done to Eva Smith. Instead, he is more concerned for himself and his family.

The law and moralityThe fact that an Inspector calls at the Birling’s house suggests that some legal

INSPECTOR(slowly) Are you sure you don’t know.He looks at GERALD, then at ERIC, then at SHEILA

There is an element of tension and foreshadowing.

crime has been committed. Mr Birling’s first assumption is that he has come because of ‘some trouble about a warrant’. However, as the play progresses we begin to recognize that the Inspector is not simply investigating an illegality – he is investigating an immorality.

The difference between law and morality is a key theme in the play. The Inspector blurs the line between the two. Priestley’s point is that, while the Birlings and Gerald may not have committed illegal acts, they have acted immorally and should therefore be held to account.

GERALDAfter all, y’know, we’re respectable citizens and not criminals.

In this excerpt, they are surprised and stunned at Inspector Goole and tries to assure him that they are the morally upstanding citizens that they see themselves are.

INSPECTORSometimes, there isn’t as much difference as you think.

The Inspector thinks that the Birlings could be considered criminals because they only think of themselves and not others.

MRS. BIt’s disgusting to me.

Mrs Birling thinks that only the lower class engages in immoral behaviour and the higher the class, the better morals are. She is disgusted by the fact that Gerald is engaging in what she thinks is lower-class behaviour.

MRS B.Certainly. And he ought to be dealt with very severely –

SHEILA(with sudden alarm) Mother – stop – stop!

Mrs Birling doesn’t realize she is talking about Eric whilst Sheila, on the other hand, realizes that the person responsible is Eric and tries to get her mother to stop. We see an example of Mrs Birling’s moral uprighteousness. She thinks that if someone committed a sin, they should be dealt with a punishment equal to their sin.

BIRLINGI convinced it is. No police inquiry. No one girl that all this happened to. No scandal–

This parallel structure demonstrates that Birling is obviously more concerned of a possible scandal and is relieved that the

Inspector is a fake. Furthermore, we can see that he feels neither remorse nor regret for what he has done to Eva Smith. Instead, he is more concerned for himself and his family.

MoneyMoney is a key theme in the play which is closely related to class, status and power. It often determines the status of a character and his or her power. T is something that some characters have and others need. Mr Birling is a factory owner who tries to gain maximum profit. His workers strike and try to gain maximum wages but are denied his, and while Mr Birling sees nothing wrong in this, his son Eric recognizes its unfairness. Priestley asks us to question the value placed on money and to replace it with a more worthy currency – spiritual enlightenment

BIRLINGNo, we won’t. It’s one of the happiest nights of my life. And one day, I hope, Eric, when you’ve a daughter of your own, you’ll understand why. Gerald, I’m going to tell you frankly, without any pretences, that your engagement to Sheila means a tremendous lot to me...Your father and I have been friendly rivals in business for some time now - though Crofts Limited are both older and bigger than Birling and Company - and now you’ve brought us together, and perhaps we may look forward to the time when Crofts and Birlings are no longer competing but are working together - for lower costs and higher prices.

Thus we see that the “happiest nights” of his life are not that his daughter is getting married but rather, his daughter is getting married to someone from a higher social standing and more wealth. In a sense, it can be argued that Birling treats his daughter as a commodity, someone who can be traded for better business and higher ranking. Thus, Birling is essentially a selfish man; he looks out for himself first and second for his family.

BIRLINGYou must give me a list of those accounts. I’ve got to cover this up as soon as I can. You damned fool – why didn’t you come to me when you found yourself in this mess?```

Mr Birling extract only cares about being knighted and not having his reputation destroyed. Instead of trying to solve the fundamental problem, he tries to cover it up to save his own reputation.

Character AnalysisArthur Birling ARTHUR BIRLING is a heavy-looking, rather portentous man in his

middle fifties with fairly easy manners but rather provincial in his speech.

This shows that Mr Birling has something to hide because despite the fact that his social status is very high, he has come from a position not of power. Therefore we can tell from this that despite having to have to work to come into power like this, working his way up his social class is something of his likes and ambition and explains why he wants Sheila to marry Gerald, someone who he sees has a better social standing that he does.

BIRLINGGiving us the port, Edna? That’s right. (He pushes it towards ERIC) You ought to like this port, Gerald. As a matter of fact, Finchley told me it’s exactly the same port your father gets from him.

As it is an occasion of celebration, we see that Birling does not even try hide that fact that his daughter is now of the same social status as Gerald’s family. Even the port that he is drinking is determined by who drinks that specific port. It also emphasizes as a new member of the upper-middle class, he tends to look to the older member of his class as a guide how he can advance his own social status.

BIRLINGGiving us the port, Edna? That’s right. (He pushes it towards ERIC) You ought to like this port, Gerald. As a matter of fact, Finchley told

In this exchange between Gerald and Birling, it does not matter to him because he is used to this comfortable lifestyle. Thus, it matters less to him to climb up the social ladder than Mr Birling.

me it’s exactly the same port your father gets from him.

GERALDThen it’ll be all right. The governor prides himself on being a good judge of port. I don’t pretend to know much about it.

It can also be argued that Gerald, because he is younger, is less concerned with social status than the older members of middle-class who, like Mr Birling, are more conservative.

BIRLINGNo, we won’t. It’s one of the happiest nights of my life. And one day, I hope, Eric, when you’ve a daughter of your own, you’ll understand why. Gerald, I’m going to tell you frankly, without any pretences, that your engagement to Sheila means a tremendous lot to me...Your father and I have been friendly rivals in business for some time now - though Crofts Limited are both older and bigger than Birling and Company - and now you’ve brought us together, and perhaps we may look forward to the time when Crofts and Birlings are no longer competing but are working together - for lower costs and higher prices.

Thus we see that the “happiest nights” of his life are not that his daughter is getting married but rather, his daughter is getting married to someone from a higher social standing and more wealth. In a sense, it can be argued that Birling treats his daughter as a commodity, someone who can be traded for better business and higher ranking. Thus, Birling is essentially a selfish man; he looks out for himself first and second for his family.

BIRLING...We employers at last are coming together to see that our interests - and the interests of Capital - are properly protected. And we’re in for a time of steadily increasing prosperity.

Here we see that Birling’s values reflect those of many wealthy middle-class business owners at the time. In the newly-capitalistic society, the middle-class were the new class of wealth and status and thus, many families wanted to protect their own interests to continue to be wealthy and continue to climb up the social ladder. Priestley, as you will see later on, is clearly disapproving of this type of thinking.

BIRLING...Just because the Kaiser makes a speech or two, or a few German officers have too much to drink and begin talking nonsense, you’ll hear some people say that war’s inevitable...Everything to lose and nothing to gain by war.

This is an example of dramatic irony. At the time of writing, Priestley and the audience both know that the war has occurred. However, in the present of the Birlings, the idea of war seems to be so far removed their reality that they do not even consider a possibility. There was a lack of political understanding of the Birlings. “Everything to lose and nothing to gain from war” is true to only the citizens of a country, especially the wealthy.

BIRLING...Why a friend of mine went over this new liner last week - The Titanic - she sails next week - forty-six thousand eight hundred tons - New York in five days - and every luxury - and unsinkable...

Birling’s use of it as an example of progress is another example of dramatic irony is that Birling thinks that 1940 will bring about peace and prosperity. However, this also marks the date when the beginning World War II was looming and countries like China were struggling internally between the communist parties and the more democratic ones. It destroys Birling’s credibility and makes us agree with the Inspector.

BIRLING...let’s say, in 1940 - you may be giving a little party like this - your son or daughter might be getting engaged - and I tell you,

Again we see an element of dramatic irony. When the Titanic was first constructed, it was thought to be unsinkable. However, as the audience now knows, it sunk on its maiden voyage,

by that time you’ll be living in a world that’ll have forgotten all these Capital vs Labour agitations and all these silly little war scares.

which is counterintuitive to what Birling is trying to say. Similarly, in 1940, many European countries were on the verge of war. Young men were being drafted into the army regardless of their wealth and status and the threat of Germany was looming, thus, we see once again that Birling’s credibility is challenged.

BIRLINGThanks. (Confidentially.) By the way, there’s something I’d like to mention - in strict confidence - while we’re by ourselves. I have an idea that your mother - Lady Croft - while she doesn’t object to my girl - feels you might have done better for yourself socially -

GERALD, rather embarrassed, begins to murmur some dissent but BIRLING checks him.

No, Gerald, that’s all right. Don’t blame her. She comes from an old country family - landed people and so forth - and so it’s only natural.

Clearly, Birling is aware of his social status in the eyes of the Crofts. Instead of being angry or mildly annoyed at the Crofts for looking down on his family, Birling feels that they are justified just as he feels justified for looking down on his people below his status.

BIRLINGThanks. But it’s a bit too early for that. So don’t say anything. But I’ve a hint or two. You see, I was Lord Mayor two years ago when Royalty visited us. And I’ve always been regarded as a sound useful party man. So - well - I gather there’s a very good chance of a knight hood - so long as we behave ourselves, don’t get into the police court or start a scandal - eh? (Laughs complacently)

Birling is foreshadowing that there are things about to happen although he himself does not realize. He does not know that he and his family will be the cause of an imminent scandal. It also demonstrates his distance between Eric. Rather than telling Eric about his potential knighthood, he tells Gerald, someone who he sees as more of a son than Eric simply because Gerald is of a higher social status and therefore wants to impress him more than his own son.

GERALD(laughs) You seem to be a nice well-behaved family -

BIRLINGWe think we are -

Coming early in the play, these lines also exemplify Priestley's love of dramatic irony: the last thing the Birlings have been is well-behaved. They are obnoxious and snobby, looking down on people they feel are of less importance than they are. These lines also suggest the alliance between Gerald and Birling, two men who share the same values, whose bond will become stronger after the Inspector's exit.

BIRLING(solemnly) But this is the point…a man has to make his own way – has to look after himself – and his family too, of course, when he has one…

This demonstrates Birling’s character very well in that he is selfish and does not see that his actions impact not only his family, his class but also everyone around him including those he sees as of a lower social standing. Symbolically, he represents conservative and capitalist ideals. He believes in making his own money regardless of who he steps on to get there and not looking out for anyone except himself and his immediate family.

BIRLINGI thought you must be. I was an alderman for years – and Lord Mayor two years ago – and I’m still on the Bench – so I know the Brumley police officers pretty well – and I thought I’d never seen you before.

Birling’s character is that he likes to talk about his status and how he has held high positions. He is afraid that people, likes the Crofts, will look down on him because he has only recently been part of the middle-class.

BIRLINGYes, well we needn’t go into all that.…BIRLINGOh – just before you came – I’d been giving these young men a little good advice.

Clearly, when the Inspector says that everyone is responsible for everyone else, Birling agrees that a chain of events might have caused Eva Smith’s death. However, he does not agree that even he has been a cause, it does not follow that he is the cause and thus is not responsible directly for her death. But if he is a catalyst in Eva Smith’s death, it would render what he said earlier in the play void. Since he believes that everyone should mind their own business, being a catalyst in Eva Smith’s death would result in proving that his actions do affect other people and subsequently, what he said early on the play would not make sense. Also, on further note, Birling does not want the Inspector to humiliate him further.

BIRLINGPerhaps I ought to warn you that [the Chief Constable]’s an old friend of mine…

Here we see that Birling feels intimidated by the Inspector because he is not used to be interrogated and questioned by someone he sees as of a lower class. Thus, he uses his status and power to assert his authority over Inspector Goole.

BIRLING(with marked change of tone) Well, of course, if I’d known that earlier, I wouldn’t have talked about reporting you. You understand that, don’t you, Inspector? I thought that – for some reason best known to yourself – you were making the most of this tiny bit of information I could give you. I’m sorry. This makes a difference. You sure of your facts?

Birling’s tone is much nicer than when he is being interrogated because now he knows that there will be others that will go through the same interrogation as he did. We learn that Mr Birling is extremely selfish and feels relieved that he is not the only one to be publicly humiliated. He later gets angry because he realizes a family is a unit and whatever happens to them (their private affairs) also affect his reputation as well.

BIRLING(angrily) Inspector, I’ve told you before, I don’t like your tone nor the way you’re handling this inquiry. And I don’t propose to give you much more rope.

Birling becomes angry at the Inspector’s questioning and interrogation because although he understands him and his family are under questioning for Eva Smith’s death, he still thinks that someone of lower social standing like the Inspector must treat his family with much more respect. He is not used to people of lower social class treating him any less than respect.

BIRLINGNeither do I. If you’d had any sense of loyalty –

The Birlings have double standards. Mr and Mrs Birling demand full loyalty from their children even though they, as we saw previously from Mr Birling, would be willing to withstand the interrogation as long as their children had to go through the same thing.

BIRLINGYou must give me a list of those accounts. I’ve got to cover this up as soon as I can. You damned fool – why didn’t you come to me when

Mr Birling extract only cares about being knighted and not having his reputation destroyed. Instead of trying to solve the fundamental problem, he tries to cover it up to save his own

you found yourself in this mess? reputation.ERICBecause you’re not the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble – that’s why.

This demonstrates the tension between Eric and Birling. It also demonstrates how hypocritical Mr Birling is – he sees himself as a family man, yet his own son can’t go to him for help when he is in trouble.

BIRLINGBy Jingo! A fake!

The colloquialism that he uses here shows that he is not born into the middle-class. It also shows how hopeful he is at catching the Inspector’s lie. His reputation will not be ruined and he does not have to worry about his social status that he has worked so hard to climb into.

BIRLINGNow listen, you two. If you’re still feeling on edge, then the least you can do is to keep quiet. Leave this to us. I’ll admit that fellow’s antics rattled us a bit. But we’ve found him out – and all we have to do is to keep our heads. Now it’s our turn.

Birling is excited and relieved that the Inspector is a fraud. He doesn’t like being humiliated and upstaged so he will jump at the chance to do the same to the supposed “Inspector”

BIRLINGI’m convinced it is. No police inquiry. No one girl that all this happened to. No scandal–

This parallel structure demonstrates that Birling is obviously more concerned of a possible scandal and is relieved that the Inspector is a fake. Furthermore, we can see that he feels neither remorse nor regret for what he has done to Eva Smith. Instead, he is more concerned for himself and his family.

Sybil Birling MRS B.(smiling) Very well, then. Just a little, thank you. (To EDNA, who is about to go, with tray.) All right, Edna. I’ll ring from the drawing-room when we want coffee.

Note the difference in style and language between Arthur and Sybil. Sybil, who is from a higher status than Birling, speaks much more distantly and coldly. She is a very proper woman who is very aware of her role in life. Arthur, on the other hand, is much more provincial in his tone and less aware of how people perceive him when he speaks

MRS B.(smiling, social) Good evening, Inspector.

Mrs Birling clearly has a lot of self-control even when she knows the Inspector is here to question her family. She behaves in well-mannered way and pretends as though nothing is wrong.

MRS B.(after pause, recovering herself) If necessary I shall be glad to answer any questions the Inspector wishes to ask me. Though naturally I don’t know anything about the girl.

The language of Mrs Birling demonstrates her pretention and upper-class snob. She does not think she has anything to do with Eva Smith because she is not of the same social class and therefore Mrs Birling would not have had any interaction with her.

MRS. B(staggered) Well, really! Alderman Meggarty! I must say, we are learning something tonight!

Mrs Birling does not see what is in front of her, even though everyone else seemed to know about Alderman. She clearly does not think that someone of her class would behave in the same manner of what she thinks that those of lower class do. She thinks that the morals of the upper-class should be more rigid and upright than the morals of the lower-class

MRS. BIt’s disgusting to me.

Mrs Birling thinks that only the lower class engages in immoral behaviour and the higher the class, the better morals are. She is disgusted by the fact that Gerald is engaging in what she thinks is lower-class behaviour.

MRS BIRLING does not reply. Mrs Birling is clearly avoiding the Inspector’s questioning as she feels intimidated by the Inspector.

MRS B.Possibly.

INSPECTORWas it or was it not your influence?

Mrs Birling is trying to avoid the question because she doesn’t want to implicate herself. The Inspector must therefore assert his authority over her in order to get her to answer his question.

MRS B.If you think you can bring any pressure to bear upon me, Inspector, you’re quite mistaken…I consider I did my duty. So if I prefer not to discuss it any further, you have no power to make me change my mind.

Mrs Birling clearly doesn’t think that it was any of her fault. Her choice to help a girl is obviously dependent on how well she likes a girl and because she didn’t think that Eva respected her since she called herself ‘Mrs Birling’, Mrs Birling decided to not help Eva even though she needed it. Thus, she did not think she did anything wrong to facilitate Eva’s death.

MRS B.Oh – she had some fancy reason. As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!

It tells that she thinks highly of herself and her class and thinks that people of the lower-class has worse morals.

MRS B.Certainly. And he ought to be dealt with very severely –

SHEILA(with sudden alarm) Mother – stop – stop!

Mrs Birling doesn’t realize she is talking about Eric whilst Sheila, on the other hand, realizes that the person responsible is Eric and tries to get her mother to stop. We see an example of Mrs Birling’s moral uprighteousness. She thinks that if someone committed a sin, they should be dealt with a punishment equal to their sin.

ERIC(nearly at breaking point) Then – you killed her. She came to you to protect me – and you turned her away – yes, and you killed her – and the child she’d have had too – my child – your own grandchild – you killed them both – damn you, damn you.

The way that Eric thinks and his family thinks is different, and so creates the underlying tension between them. This links to the idea of public image, where on the surface, they seem like a good family unit but underneath, they are not a family at all. Furthermore, it shows how distant Mrs Birling is from her son.

ERIC(almost threatening her) You don’t understand anything. You never did. You never even tried – you –

The way that Eric thinks and his family thinks is different, and so creates the underlying tension between them. This links to the idea of public image, where on the surface, they seem like a good family unit but underneath, they are not a family at all. Furthermore, it shows how distant Mrs Birling is from her son.

MRS B.I was the only one of you who didn’t give in to him. And now say we must discuss this business quietly and sensibly and decide if there’s anything to be done about it.

Because Mrs Birling is proud, she wants face in her family. She doesn’t feel ashamed for her actions nor does she think that she has done anything wrong at all.

Now MRS BIRLING enters, briskly and self-confidently, quite out of key with the little scene that has just passed.

This emphasizes the idea that Mrs Birling is detached is aloof. She is confident in her social status and therefore believes it is enough to cover all transgressions. To her, it is unthinkable that she has done anything wrong because in her eyes, people of her status are the most morally correct and upright.

Sheila Birling SHEILA(half serious, half playful) Yes - except for all last summer, when you never came near me, and I wondered what had happened to you.

This foreshadows events that occur later that would explain Gerald’s absence. This dialogue also displays the underlying tension between Gerald and Sheila.

ERIC(rather noisily) All the best! She’s got a nasty temper sometimes - but she’s not bad really. Good old Sheila!

This is an example of foreshadowing. Sheila’s “nasty temper” results in getting Eva fired from Milward’s, thus, her personality caused Sheila to play a part in Eva Smith’s suicide.

SHEILA(to GERALD) You see? (to INSPECTOR) Then I’m staying.

Sheila’s character here is determined to find out the truth, no matter how painful. This is contrasting to her character early on in the play.

INSPECTOR…she’ll feel she’s entirely to blame, she’ll be alone with her responsibility.

Sheila has never been responsible for anyone else before so by learning that she is responsible for Eva Smith’s death, she is unable to deal with said responsibility if she left now. But if she stayed and the responsibility of Eva Smith’s death is shared between the Birling family, she would feel better.

SHEILAAnd probably between us we killed her.

She seems to take responsibility for her actions and acknowledge the fact that her actions have impact on other people, contrary to her character early on in the play.

SHEILAThat’s probably about the best thing you’ve said tonight. At least it’s honest. Did you go and see her every night?

It is painful to Sheila but she wants to know the truth. This tells us that honesty is important to her, something we don’t see a lot of in the Birling household.

SHEILAIt means that we’ve no excuse now for putting on airs and that if we’ve any sense we won’t try…And if you’re not telling the truth, why should the Inspector apologize? And can’t you see, both of you, you’re making it worse?

Sheila recognizes the futility of trying to avoid the Inspector. Clearly, now that she has admitted fault for her actions towards Eva and tries to convince her parents to stop avoiding the Inspector’s persistent questioning.

MRS B.Certainly. And he ought to be dealt with very severely –

SHEILA(with sudden alarm) Mother – stop – stop!

Mrs Birling doesn’t realize she is talking about Eric whilst Sheila, on the other hand, realizes that the person responsible is Eric and tries to get her mother to stop. We see an example of Mrs Birling’s moral uprighteousness. She thinks that if someone committed a sin, they should be dealt with a punishment equal to their sin.

Enter SHEILA, who looks as if she’s been crying She obviously realizes the consequences of her actions. This point in the play marks the change in Sheila’s character; she becomes more mature and conscientious.

Eric Birling ERIC suddenly guffaws. His parents look at him. Note that Eric already seems to be a little bit drunk. However

SHEILA(severely) Now - what’s the joke.

ERICI don’t know - really. Suddenly I felt I just had to laugh

SHEILAYou’re squiffy.

the family, instead chooses not to notice. This element of foreshadowing as being drunk caused Eric to rape Eva Smith, as revealed later on. It also suggests the distance between Eric and his family. They choose to not notice his transgressions and instead, cover it up with polite talk.

ERIC(eagerly) Yes, I remember – (but he checks himself)

BIRLINGWell, what do you remember

ERIC(confused) Nothing.

Again this is an element of foreshadowing. He is talking halfway through something that he clearly doesn’t want his father to know about. It also suggests that he is drunk.

ERICYes. And that’s when it happened.

This euphemism that suggests that Eric raped Eva. It tells us the extremes that he will go to when he is drunk, a problem his family has not yet noticed or chose to not notice.

ERICWell, I’m not old enough to be married, aren’t I, and I’m not married, and I hate these fat old tarts round the town – the ones I see some of your respectable friends with.

Clearly we see that the upper-class does not have morals Mrs Birling upholds them to. Although Eric at first seems to be immature, we learn that he sees more than his parents do because he does not pick and choose the things he wishes to see.

ERICBecause you’re not the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble – that’s why.

This demonstrates the tension between Eric and Birling. It also demonstrates how hypocritical Mr Birling is – he sees himself as a family man, yet his own son can’t go to him for help when he is in trouble.

ERIC(nearly at breaking point) Then – you killed her. She came to you to protect me – and you turned her away – yes, and you killed her – and the child she’d have had too – my child – your own grandchild – you killed them both – damn you, damn you.

The way that Eric thinks and his family thinks is different, and so creates the underlying tension between them. This links to the idea of public image, where on the surface, they seem like a good family unit but underneath, they are not a family at all. Furthermore, it shows how distant Mrs Birling is from her son.

ERIC(almost threatening her) You don’t understand anything. You never did. You never even tried – you –

The way that Eric thinks and his family thinks is different, and so creates the underlying tension between them. This links to the idea of public image, where on the surface, they seem like a good family unit but underneath, they are not a family at all. Furthermore, it shows how distant Mrs Birling is from her son.

ERICI don’t see much nonsense about it when a girl goes and kills herself. You lot may be letting yourselves out nicely, but I can’t. Nor can

We can see Eric’s humanity in this quote in that Eric feels remorse for Eva Smith and understands the role that he played in her death. Unlike his parents and Gerald, Eric doesn’t try to

mother. We did her in all right. sugar-coat his problems; he is brave enough to admit his role and brave enough to admit his problems.

Gerald Croft SHEILA(half serious, half playful) Yes - except for all last summer, when you never came near me, and I wondered what had happened to you.

This foreshadows events that occur later that would explain Gerald’s absence. This dialogue also displays the underlying tension between Gerald and Sheila and also links to the idea of public image in hypocrisy; while Gerald appears to love Sheila but, as we learn later on, he had an affair with Daisy Renton.

GERALD(laughs) You seem to be a nice well-behaved family -

BIRLINGWe think we are -

Coming early in the play, these lines also exemplify Priestley's love of dramatic irony: the last thing the Birlings have been is well-behaved. These lines also suggest the alliance between Gerald and Birling, two men who share the same values, whose bond will become stronger after the Inspector's exit.

GERALDAfter all, y’know, we’re respectable citizens and not criminals.

In this excerpt, they are surprised and stunned at Inspector Goole and tries to assure him that they are the morally upstanding citizens that they see themselves are.

GERALDIf possible – yes.

INSPECTORWell, we know one young woman who wasn’t, don’t we?

The Inspector uses a play on words to manipulate Gerald into admitting what he did.

GERALD(cutting in, rather impatiently) Mrs Birling, the Inspector knows all that. And I don’t think it’s a very good idea to remind him –.

Gerald realizes that trying to intimidate the inspector using her social status is futile. As he has already experienced the Inspector’s interrogation, he knows that the Inspector will use words to manipulate people into admitting what they did wrong.

Inspector Goole The INSPECTOR enters, and EDNA goes, closing door after her. The INSPECTOR 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.

He is in a plain darkish suit without any physical distinguishers or fancy layers. He is symbolic of the notion of socialism. The Inspector not only is representative of this but also a physical embodiment. In other words, he could be any person on the street and doesn’t see the need to decorate himself with badges so long as he fulfils his purpose.

INSPECTOR takes a photograph, about postcard size, out of his pocket and goes to BIRLING Both GERALD and ERIC rise to have a look at the photograph, but the INSPECTOR interposes himself between them and the photograph. They are surprised and rather annoyed...

One of the reasons why the characters are shown the photo one at a time is to create tension and to put them in the spotlight. The eventual downfall of Eva Smith was due to each of those people in order. The Inspector must show the picture to them one at a time, to make them feel responsible for their contribution to Eva Smith’s death.

INSPECTORBecause what happened to her than may have determined what happened to her afterwards, and what happened to her afterwards may have driven her to suicide. A chain of events.

This conveys the theme of collective responsibility, that everyone is responsible for everyone else. There is also an element of foreshadowing.

INSPECTOR(slowly) Are you sure you don’t know.He looks at GERALD, then at ERIC, then at SHEILA

There is an element of tension and foreshadowing.

INSPECTORYes. She was out of work for the next two months. Both her parents were dead, so that she’d no home to go back to. And she hadn’t been able to save much out of what Birling and Company had paid her. So that after two months, with no work, no money coming in, and living in lodgings, with no relatives to help her, few friends, lonely, half-starved, she was feeling desperate

Inspector Goole goes into much detail of Eva Smith’s life in order to make the people in the room feel guilty and even guiltier when they find out the role they play in her death.

INSPECTOR(dryly) I’ve had that notion myself from time to time. In fact, I’ve thought that it would do us all a bit of good if sometimes we tried to put ourselves in the place of these young women counting their pennies in their dingy little back bedrooms

In this excerpt, through Inspector Goole, Priestly is preaching to the wealthy about how the notion of the wealthy is wrong.

INSPECTORSometimes, there isn’t as much difference as you think.

The Inspector thinks that the Birlings could be considered criminals because they only think of themselves and not others.

SHEILA(laughs rather hysterically) Why – you fool – he knows. Of course he knows. And I hate to think how much he knows that we don’t know yet. You’ll see. You’ll see.

Sheila realizes that the Inspector seems to be omniscient, having gone through his interrogation. In this excerpt where she is trying to convince Gerald to tell the truth, the supernatural nature of the Inspector is characterised here.

INSPECTORWell?

This is an element of tension and suspense.

GERALDIf possible – yes.

INSPECTORWell, we know one young woman who wasn’t, don’t we?

The Inspector uses a play on words to manipulate Gerald into admitting what he did.

SHEILA…(She goes close to him, wonderingly) I don’t understand about you

This shows the otherworldliness of the Inspector in the way that he seems to command an entire room’s attention, especially Sheila’s. She is the only one to pick up on it as the others, especially Mr and Mrs Birling are too blind to see.

INSPECTOR(coolly) We often do on the young ones. They’re more impressionable

Priestley is speaking through Goole in an attempt to appeal to the young people the perks of socialism. The role that he plays is one of presence and Priestley understands that young people tends to attract to those that have one of presence.

INSPECTORAnd then you decided to keep her – as your mistress?

He might potentially be a super natural force because he is omniscient.

SHEILA(cutting in sharply, as he hesitates) I know. Somehow he makes you.

Characteristic of the Inspector. The Inspector makes Gerald explain his intention by saying that he is using Daisy as a lover

instead of his original intention of feeling sorry for her.MRS B.Possibly.

INSPECTORWas it or was it not your influence?

Mrs Birling is trying to avoid the question because she doesn’t want to implicate herself. The Inspector must therefore assert his authority over her in order to get her to answer his question.

INSPECTORYou have no hope of not discussing it, Mrs Birling.

The Inspector is very dominating and he speaks with authority. What he wants to find out he does, regardless of the person’s social status or gender. He is not afraid to question Mr Birling, even after he threatened the Inspector with his supposed power and influence.

INSPECTORBut just remember this. One Eva Smith has gone – but there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us, with their lives, their hopes and fears, their suffering and 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 learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.

The parallel structure demonstrated here is linked to the idea of collective responsibility and socialism. In his closing remarks, the Inspector refers to “millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths”, both “Eva Smith” and “John Smith” referring to common names, thus, representing common people and therefore, the theme of socialism. He also mentions that they are “members of one body” who are “responsible for each other”, referring to the idea of collective responsibility. The element of foreshadowing in the biblical imagery of “fire and blood and anguish” may refer to World War I and World War II, both wars in which Priestley and his audience have already experienced.

SHEILA(laughs rather hysterically) Why – you fool – he knows. Of course he knows. And I hate to think how much he knows that we don’t know yet. You’ll see. You’ll see.

This, in Act Two, refers to the idea that the Inspector is omniscient in a way that is otherworldly. He appears out of nowhere as we see in Act One and seems to know everything about the Birlings and just vanishes into the night.

Important Quotes

Quote AnalysisBIRLINGA friend of mine went over this new liner last week - the Titanic - she sails next week - forty-six thousand eight hundred tons - forty-six thousand eight hundred tons - New York in five days - and every luxury - and unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable.

Priestley's love of dramatic irony is biting here, and his irony is never more satirical than in these comments of Birling's, which, to his original audience in 1946, must have seemed more controversial than they do today because the sinking of the ship was within people's memory. Symbolically, just as the Titanic is destined to sink, so too is Birling's political ideology, under the Inspector's interrogation. The ship was a titan of the seas, and its imminent failure "next week" suggests the dangers of capitalistic hubris, illustrating the risk of the entrepreneur.

GERALD [laughs]: You seem to be a nice well-behaved family - Coming early in the play, these lines also exemplify Priestley's love of

BIRLING: We think we are - dramatic irony: the last thing the Birlings have been is well-behaved. These lines also suggest the alliance between Gerald and Birling, two men who share the same values, whose bond will become stronger after the Inspector's exit.

BIRLINGBut take my word for it, you youngsters - and I've learnt in the good hard school of experience - that a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own - and -We hear the sharp ring of a front door bell.

Birling is taking an individualist, capitalist point of view about personal responsibility, and his lines here provide the general attitude of his speeches since the play began. According to him, experience proves that his point of view is correct, in contrast to the possibly more idealistic "youngsters." Yet, the bell marks the moment at which the Inspector arrives, and it is no accident that the socialist-leaning Inspector arrives at precisely this moment.

INSPECTOR... what happened to her then may have determined what happened to her afterwards, and what happened to her afterwards may have driven her to suicide. A chain of events.

In this fascinating excerpt, the Inspector outlines the nature of the moral crime the Birlings and Gerald have committed against Eva. Each of them is responsible in part for her death, and together they are entirely responsible. This construction is itself a metaphor for Priestley's insistence that we are all bound up together and responsible communally for everyone's survival. Note, too, that the repetition in the Inspector’s lines reflects the "chain" he is talking about.

SHEILA[laughs rather hysterically]Why - you fool - he knows. Of course he knows. And I hate to think how much he knows that we don't know yet. You'll see. You'll see. She looks at him almost in triumph.

Sheila, shortly before the end of Act One, crucially understands the importance of the Inspector and the fact that he has more information than he is revealing. She is the first person in the play to really begin to understand the Inspector which, in turn, leads her to see her relationship with Gerald in a more realistic, more cynical way.

INSPECTORYes, Mr Croft - in the stalls bar at the Palace Variety Theatre...GERALDI happened to look in, one night, after a rather long dull day, and as the show wasn't very bright, I went down into the bar for a drink. It's a favourite haunt of women of the town -MRS. BIRLINGWomen of the town?BIRLINGYes, yes. But I see no point in mentioning the subject ....

Eva Smith, by the time she encounters Eric in the Palace bar, seems to be working as a prostitute, and indeed, the fact that the Palace bar is a location known for prostitutes looking for business is here partly mentioned but partly suppressed. Moreover, this information points out the streetwise character of Gerald Croft, and it might even lead to questions about precisely what he was doing in that bar, at night, other than just happening to "look in" after a "dull day" and having "a drink."

INSPECTORShe kept a rough sort of diary. And she said there that she had to go away and be quiet and remember "just to make it last longer." She felt there'd never be anything as good again for her - so she had to make it last longer.

This is an unusually personal moment from the Inspector, who gives us one of the first insights into Eva Smith's feelings and personality. He claims, of course, that he has found a diary in Eva Smith's room, though many interpretations have argued that the Inspector in fact has a more personal connection to Eva Smith: perhaps he even is her ghost, or a ghoulish embodiment of her dead child? Priestley never tells us, but there is certainly opportunity for the actor in this part to suggest a more personal connection. Note, too, the interest in time on Eva's part, keeping

a diary and making a point of remembering the past nostalgically.BIRLINGYou'll apologize at once ... I'm a public man -INSPECTOR [massively]Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges.

Here the Inspector, who by this middle act of the play is gaining in power and control over the situation, "massively" silences Birling with a putdown. It is not the first or last time that Birling is cut off mid-thought. It is also important because Priestley points an extra finger of blame at Birling not just for his actions, but for his failure to see that his public position entails a duty of responsibility to other people. Interestingly, this attitude draws on the traditional notion of the upper classes taking responsibility for the welfarefif of the lower classes, but in the newer, more democratic life of Britain, the "public men" are not necessarily of higher social class even if they have more public privileges; at any rate, their position of power comes with responsibility.

INSPECTORWe 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 learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish. Good night.

The Inspector's final lines, from a longer speech he makes shortly before his exit, are a blistering delivery of Priestley's socialist message. Moreover, his promise of "fire and blood and anguish" also looks forward to the First and Second World Wars, a resonance, which, to Priestley's 1946 audience, must have been quite chilling.

BIRLING... we've been had ... it makes all the difference.GERALDOf course!SHEILA [bitterly]I suppose we're all nice people now.

These lines illustrate the mood of this last part of the play, as well as the split between the Birlings and their children. Sheila and Eric realize the importance of the Inspector's lesson, notably which they need to become more socially responsible whether or not the particular scenario was a valid example. In contrast, their parents absolutely fail to learn such a lesson, arguing that the failure of the example invalidates the Inspector's argument. Why still feel guilty and responsible? It also is significant that Gerald Croft takes Birling's side (uncritically) rather than Sheila's.

SettingTHE SOCIAL CONTEXT: 1912 AND 1945An Inspector Calls is set in 1912, before the beginning of the First World War, but was written during the winter of 1944/45, first reaching the stage in 1945, the year in which the Second World War ended. For director Stephen Daldry the play’s campaigning passion is inextricably linked to the new spirit of post-war optimism. He believes that 1945 is “probably the most crucial period in domestic British politics this century” - a time when people were asking, “Do we want to go back to the Edwardian period or to create something vital and new, a romantic vision of the future?”. Priestley’s choice of a pre-war Edwardian setting was therefore a calculated attempt to draw a parallel between the experiences of the two world wars. As designer Ian MacNeil explains: “Priestley lived with the First World War, the war to end all wars, survived it against the odds and then found himself in another horrific war. And so he believed he had the right to ask, ‘If I lived through the war to end all wars, why am I now living through another one? What got us into this situation? What is the failure of leadership and belief? What brought us to this folly?’ You can’t have this view of the Edwardians unless you are looking at it from the point of view of people who have just fought a war.

“Priestley felt strongly that there’s no point in fighting another war simply to maintain the status quo: the point of this social upheaval is that some good must come of this. We should fight for a better society, not simply demonise the Germans as though badness and selfishness is something that only exists in Germany.” The 1945 play may have been set in the past but its purpose was to look to the future, arguing strongly for a more positive society. Tony Benn MP believes that Priestley “consciously intended to make [An Inspector Calls] a contribution to public understanding which, in its turn, he hoped might lead to a Labour victory after the war was over”.