inspector calls essay eric birling

Example Essay: Eric

How and why does Eric change in An Inspector Calls?

An Inspector Calls is about how people should be more responsible. Priestley wrote An Inspector Calls in 1945 to teach his audience about social responsibility.

Early in the play, Priestley makes clear Eric is immature and has an easy life. In the opening stage directions, Priestley makes clear the Birling family are wealthy by writing ‘heavily comfortable house’ and ‘champagne’. It is clear from these descriptions that Priestley wants his audience to know how comfortable and wealthy the Birlings are, and how easy their life is in comparison to the working classes. Priestley also demonstrates that Eric drinks quite heavily, often laughs for no reason and squabbles with his sister Sheila. This seems quite immature behaviour. Perhaps Priestley presents Eric in this way to demonstrate that many young men in 1912 such as Eric didn’t have to grow up and become responsible because they were born into very wealthy families, which meant they had a very easy life.

After the inspector arrives, Priestley demonstrates that Eric starts to change. When the inspector reveals that Eric forced himself upon Eva Smith, Priestley makes clear Eric feels guilty by writing ‘I did what I did’. This words reveal that Eric does not try to lie about his actions; he accepts that what he did was wrong, even though he knows his family will disapprove of his actions. It is clear that Eric takes full responsibility. Priestley also has him describe his actions towards Eva Smith as ‘hellish’, which reveals that he thinks his behaviour was awful. Priestley does this in order to demonstrate to his 1945 audience that the younger generation in society can learn from their mistakes and learn to take more responsibility for other people.

After the inspector leaves, Priestley presents Eric as a character who tries to change his parents. Priestley has Eric state ‘you’re beginning to pretend now that nothing really happened’. In other words, Eric is saying that his parents are pretending they did nothing wrong because they’ve found out the inspector isn’t real. Priestley contrasts Eric with his parents. Whereas Eric feels very guilty about what he did and doesn’t feel this changes just because the inspector isn’t real, Arthur and Sybil are happy to go back to celebrating the engagement. Unlike his parents, Eric cares about more than just his reputation. By having Eric change in this way, Priestley is giving hope to his 1945 audience that society can change for the better if wealthy people start to take more responsibility for the working classes.

‘An Inspector Calls’ is about how people should be more responsible. Priestley explores the theme of responsibility throughout the play, notably through the differences between the older and younger generations. Through Eric’s changing character, Priestley not only challenges the selfish attitudes of the upper classes, but also gives his 1945 audience hope for a better society built on a model of social responsibility.

Early in the play, Priestley uses Eric’s immaturity and sheltered life to mirror the easy lives of the upper classes in 1912. In the opening stage directions, Priestley writes that the Birlings live in a ‘heavily comfortable house’ and are sipping ‘champagne’ to celebrate the engagement of Eva Smith. It is clear from these directions that Priestley wishes to make immediately clear to the audience that Eric and his family live in wealth and comfort, which greatly contrasts the hardships endured by the working classes. As a result of this comfortable life, Eric behaves immaturely for a man in his early twenties, drinking too much, squabbling with his sister, and trying to provoke his parents. Perhaps Priestley is suggesting that Eric, like many young upper class men in 1912, has been sheltered from the hardships of life and, as such, takes the things he has been given for granted and is yet to mature

After the arrival of the inspector, Priestley presents a change in Eric’s character, indicating that Eric is impressionable and easily influenced. When Arthur Birling rebukes the inspector’s suggestion that he should have paid his workers more, Eric chimes in with the words ‘why shouldn’t they try for higher wages?’. This provocative question indicates that Eric is susceptible to the influence of the inspector and is willing to begin to consider the feelings of the working classes. Perhaps Priestley uses Eric to provoke his 1945 audience to ask similar questions about the treatment of the working classes, asking them to challenge the status quo and push for greater equality in society.

During the inspector’s questioning, Priestley uses Eric’s actions towards Eva Smith to demonstrate how many upper class men took advantage of working class women. The inspector’s questioning reveals that Eric forced himself upon Eva Smith while drunk, after which he stole money from his father in order to support Eva Smith through her pregnancy. These two examples of immoral behaviour greatly contrast with the morality displayed by Eva Smith, who refuses the money as soon as she realises it was stolen. It is clear that upper class men like Eric felt they could mistreat working class women with impunity. Priestley uses Eric’s actions to expose how harshly many working class women were treated, both due to gender and class inequality in 1912.

Following the inspector’s questioning, Priestley makes clear Eric learns from his mistakes, giving his 1945 audience hope for a brighter future. Unlike his parents, who initially try to conceal their actions from the inspector and then insist that they were ‘perfectly justified’ and ‘can’t accept any responsibility’ for their actions, Eric admits ‘I did what I did’. This matter of fact statement indicates that Eric is willing to admit his behaviour and accept the consequences. After the inspector is revealed as a ‘hoax’, Eric accuses his parents of ‘beginning to pretend that nothing really happened’, which again reveals the stark contrast between them. Whereas his parents seem preoccupied with their reputation, thus are willing to return to celebrating as soon as they realise the inspector isn’t real, Eric recognises that, whether or not the inspector is real, he still behaved in the way he did and must learn from his mistakes. Priestley’s choice to contrast Eric so starkly with his parents is indicative of a view that older generation upper class people were more likely to remain stubborn and stuck in their ways, whereas the younger generation were more likely to change.

In conclusion, it cannot be denied that Eric changes through the arrival of the inspector. Priestley’s portrayal of Eric’s treatment of Eva Smith exposes the way many working class women were treated in England in 1912. However, Priestley’s choice to present Eric as a changing character who learns from his mistakes suggests that Priestley had hope that society could also undergo this change and become the socialist society that Priestley envisioned.

An Inspector Calls

J. b. priestley, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions, eric quotes in an inspector calls.

Birling: It’s a free country, I told them. Eric: It isn’t if you can’t go and work somewhere else.

There’ll be plenty of time, when I’ve gone, for you all to adjust your family relationships.

This girl killed herself—and died a horrible death. But each of you helped to kill her. Remember that. Never forget it. But then I don’t think you ever will.

Whoever that chap was, the fact remains that I did what I did. And Mother did what she did. And the rest of you did what you did to her. It’s still the same rotten story whether it’s been told to a police inspector or to somebody else.

English Made Simple

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• 14 March 2021 9 April 2024

Eric Birling Quotes

This article has some of the key quotes for Eric Birling from the play, ‘An Inspector Calls’ along with explanation and analysis of these quotes. These quotes can be used in exam answers. Some of the larger quotes do not necessarily have to be quoted in full but just the relevant words or sentence which connects to the point being made. Many of the quotes cover the same themes and points, however this list of quotes is intended as a resource for students and readers of the play so each quote can be used in its own way or for explaining some of the same points as other quotes do. It would be up to the reader to decide which quote he would prefer to use if for instance two different quotes support the same point.

1. Quotes: I don't know – really. Suddenly I felt I just had to laugh.

Analysis:  These are the first words that we hear from Eric in the play. Often the first impression we have of a person can be very significant. We see Eric slightly drunk. Sheila replies to these words with the claim that he is ‘squiffy’ which he denies. He does indeed have alcohol problems which cause him to having sexual relations with Eva Smith and fathering a child with her. The penniless Eva pregnant with a child commits suicide. It is quite possible that being pregnant and feeling unable to provide for her future child contributed heavily to her depression and eventual suicide. Alcohol though in the context of these particular words of Eric can make you ‘laugh’, ultimately leads to tears and sadness overall in the end in this story.

2. Quotes: Well. Don't do any. We'll drink their health and have done with it.

Analysis: Mr Birling claims speech making is difficult to which Eric replies he should then not do a speech at all. In other words he attaches no importance or interest in hearing any potentially profound celebratory words to mark this event emanating from his father. He just wants to keep things simple, drink and then move on. Again we see the importance of drink to Eric.

Click on the Link to Read About: Gerald Croft Character Analysis and Eric Birling Character Analysis

3. Quotes: All the best! She's got a nasty temper sometimes – but she's not bad really. Good old Sheila!

Analysis:  These words that Priestley plants in Eric’s mouth are very interesting and have been overlooked by others. 1. Sheila does indeed have a nasty temper as we find out later in the way she overreacts to Sheila and another working class lady when she (Sheila) tries out a dress. She is angered by what she perceives as them looking down at her. However this results in their dismissal and contributes to the series of events resulting in Eva’s suicide. Sheila’s ‘nasty temper’ proves to be fatal, in that it is not the only cause of Eva’s death but certainly contributes to it. 2. However despite Sheila’s horrible temper she is ‘not bad really’, and overall from the play we would say that Sheila comes across as a decent and compassionate person. Full of profound remorse and agony at what has befallen Eva. Priestley shows us that people cannot be simply termed good or bad but have both of them inside them. 3. ‘Good old Sheila’. This contrasts with Eric saying that Sheila is not ‘bad really’. The words ‘bad’ and ‘good’ are used in close succession. Eric seems to be saying that fundamentally, and overall, Sheila is good.

4. Quotes: What about war?

Analysis: Despite Eric’s flippant and slightly rude behaviour due to him being slightly drink and despite not being the most intelligent of people eve the relatively simple Eric asks his father about the war after Mr Birling says that his business is going to do well even though there were some problems recently. Even Eric, simple as he is, knows that the prospect of war is a reality and would affect everyone’s lives and their business. This relates to a deeper theme of ‘An Inspector Calls’ that the world is an interconnected place where what happens to one person affects another. We are all dependent on each other. What happens politically between Britain and Germany will impact the Birlings but also what happens to Eva impacts the Birlings. Eric’s inability to control his drinking, Sheila’s inability to control her temper all impact Eva and then end up impacting the Birling’s themselves with the loss of Eric’s future child, Sheila’s future nephew/niece.

5. Quotes: I left'em talking about clothes again. You'd think a girl had never any clothes before she gets married. Women are potty about 'em.

Analysis:  Eric seems to have a very superficial view of women which ties in with his generally immature personality. In fact he admits later on that Eva treated him as if he ‘were a kid’. We can get a little glimpse as to why she might have thought that way. Eric’s lack of maturity could in part be attitributed to poor parenting by his parents, who if they cannot raise their own children properly cannot be said to have the right to have a hugely critical role in national decision-making, as some industrialists, capitalists and the wealthy actually did.

6. Quotes: My god!

Analysis: This is Eric’s initial reaction hearing of Eva’s death. His words are the first we hear after the inspector reveals Eva’s death. He is shocked. This shows Eric, despite his immaturity and other failings, does have a humane side to him, compassion. He is sad at hearing the death of a young woman even if he does not know who she is which at this point in the play he didn’t.

7. Quotes: Is that why she committed suicide? When was this, father?

Analysis:  After Birling says he knew the dead woman and that he fired her. Eric says these words, thus attributing causality between firing and a suicide. On a deeper level Priestley is telling us the actions of the rich can even be deadly, and this is evident in Eric’s words. Logically this would mean that the rich have to think about the implications of their actions on others, which is something that Priestley would have wanted wealthy viewers of his play to start doing.

8. Quotes: It isn't if you can't go and work somewhere else.

Analysis: This is in response to Mr Birling saying that the dismissed former workers from his factory could work somewhere else if they did not like the pay he was offering them, ‘if they didn’t like those rates, they could go and work somewhere else. It’s a free country, I told them’ What Priestley is doing her via Eric is alerting viewers to the fact that despite what Mr Birling says about Britain being a ‘free country’, limited opportunities and ways to earn money and survive restrict choice and freedom. Workers are heavily dependent on the goodness of employers as they do not have many opportunities. Priestley is encouraging compassion, social responsibility and calling for a fairer Britain. Even the somewhat immature Eric is aware of the fact that the working class poor do not have much economic freedom and ability to choose what job they would like to do.

9. Quotes: He could. He could have kept her on instead of throwing her out. I call it tough luck.

Analysis: This is said after Gerald says Mr Birling had no choice but to fire the workers demanding higher pay. Eric as the presumptive heir to Mr Birling’s business disagrees . What is interesting is that after Mr Birling dies and if Eric became the owner of the business he would be in a position to implement better pay if he still believed in it in the way he seems to believe in it at the time he says these words. This shows that not everyone in wealthy upper classes has the same mindset as Mr Birling and there is hope for the future.

10. Quotes: Well, I think it's a dam' shame...

Analysis: Eric says this in the middle of an exchange between his father and the inspector about playing golf. It could be argued that whilst the conversation focuses on to something as comparatively trivial as golf, Eric still retains a sense of important and that is the loss of a young woman’s life is far more important. It could be argued here that Priestley is using Eric in a way to maintain the tempo. Rather than let the conversation flow off in to a tangent about golf or how well connected socially Mr Birling is Eric directs the focus immediately back on to what is important.

11. Quotes: No, I mean about this girl – Eva Smith. Why shouldn't they try for higher wages? We try for the highest possible prices. And I don't see why she should have been sacked just because she'd a bit more spirit than the others. You said yourself she was a good worker. I'd have let her stay.

Analysis: This sentence needs to be read with quote no. 10 above. What is very interesting here is a critique of the hypocrisy of capitalism by Priestley in the form of Eric. Eric says that businessmen want money and want higher prices so why should workers not want higher wages? Why should the price of their labour be high, in the way that the price of products made by companies be high? What is a virtue and a positive quality when it is wealthy businessmen doing it is seen as a vice or a fault when workers are doing it. Eric is legitimizing workers calls for higher pay. This is against a background of some seeing it as troublesome, subversive, a threat to order and stability and part of a wider ‘red menace’ as the communist, Bolshevik threat was something very prominent in the minds of the wealthy elites.

12. Quotes: Well, we don't need to tell the inspector all about that, do we?

Analysis: This is said to Birling when he brings up the issue of public school (expensive private school) not teaching him certain things. There is a great paradox here. For the aspirational Mr Birling to fit in more comfortably with the upper middle classes whose validation he seeks intensely he needs to send his son to a posh private school where he will acquire the manners, mentality and even accent of the privileged elite. Despite this Birling seems critical of these schools. This prompts the question if Birling is so unhappy with public schools then the only other person who can really educated Eric about life is him and his wife. Has he then failed? Is Mr Birling a bad parent? Eric is also uncomfortable about Birling bringing up dirty laundry in front of the inspector, very ironic given that Birling wants to maintain an image as an upright and respected member of the local community and will do anything to stop any information damaging his reputation.

13. Quotes: That might have started it.

Analysis:  This is said immediately after Birling says, ‘Well, don’t tell me that’s because I discharged her from my employment nearly two years ago.’ This was indeed the act that started the whole process that led to Eva’s sad death with each of the Birling family playing their part in subsequent acts which were all linked to each other. Eric does not clear his father of blame and in fact feels his actions started the whole process. Eric clearly has a conscience and some integrity rather than blind loyalty to his father.

14. Quotes: Neither have I.

Analysis:  This is said after Gerald says ‘I’ve never known an Eva Smith.’ Eva is similar to the name ‘Eve’, the mother of humanity and thus representative of women in general. ‘Smith’ is a very common English name. Therefore ‘Eva Smith’ represents many ordinary English women with her simple and common name. On a deeper level perhaps Priestley is hinting at some irony, that in addition to Eric not knowing that Eva Smith is actually the woman whose child he fathered, that by not knowing ‘an Eva Smith’ it signifies he has never known any working class woman or their lives in a deeper manner. Eric, like Gerald and the rich in general, do not know how the working class live and the reality of their lives. This is symptomatic of an ignorance caused by social separation, a form of classist apartheid very prevalent at the time.

15. Quotes: Can't blame her

Analysis:  This in response to Eric hearing the inspector saying how Eva Smith started using another name after she was fired by Mr Birling. He expresses sympathy with her. Perhaps a sort of sympathy not too common amongst the rich and particularly businessmen at the time. Eric has a more realistic, human and sympathetic attitude to Eva Smith and the working class. 1. He feels they have the right to call for higher pay. 2. He has sympathy for their suffering.

16. Quote: You know, don't you?

Analysis:  This is the very first line in Act 2 and clearly tells us that despite whatever impression he might have tried to give, Eric was hiding his affair with Eva. He then comes out and says that they know.

17. Quote: could I have a drink first?

Analysis: This is very ironic. After the revelations of Eric’s affair and fathering of a ‘bastard’ child (remember the play was set over a century ago and in that era a child not born to married parents was considered a great scandal) and his delusional and somewhat naive mother very surprised that he has alcohol abuse problems, he then asks for a drink the last thing someone would do if they were keen on dispelling notions that they have alcoholism issues and the thing they would do precisely to substantiate them.

This could be seen as a form of irony and even dark humour from Priestley. It also shows that Eric needs alcohol as a drug to get him through this particular moment and that perhaps he uses alcohol as a drug, almost for medicinal purposes, to escape from some unhappiness. He is not happy with his life, despite his father thinking that they have everything e.g. money and status. Priestley is showing money is not everything and cannot guarantee happiness.

18. Quote: Yes, I insisted – it seems. I'm not very clear about it, but afterwards she told me she didn't want me to go in but that – well, I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty – and I threatened to make a row.

Analysis: This is what Eric says in reference to the first time he met Eva and forced his way in to where she was staying. He intimidated her and ‘threatened’ her by saying he would make a row. It shows the vulnerable nature of Eva, a poor, jobless woman who could not even turn a man away from entering where she was living. It is indicative of gross imbalance in power amongst the two genders.

Eva could not warn Eric to go away. She was poor and a woman. He was rich, from a well-connected family and a man. ‘An Inspector Calls’ highlights the suffering of women at that time.

19. Quote: Yes. And that's when it happened. And I didn't even remember – that's the hellish thing. Oh – my God! - how stupid it all is!

Analysis: This shows how the toxic cocktail of drinking and being able to force his way in to Eva’s room, a misuse of alcohol and a misues of power as a wealthy male led Eric to get involved in a situation where he cannot even remember what happened.

This is a man who could one day become a wealthy industrialist and employ lots of people who would be dependent on him for their livelihood . Priestley shows us how human and fall of flaws, as all humans are, the wealthy elite are.

20. Quote: Yes. I wasn't in love with her or anything – but I liked her – she was pretty and a good sport--

Analysis:  The inspector asks Eric ‘…you made love again?’ to which Eric affirms that he did but denies loving Eva. We cannot characterise his relationship with Eva as one of love or a serious relationship that could lead to marriage and a family, nor however is it one of cheap sordid sexual exploitation.

It was a casual relationship but one which did feature some sort of genuine concern on the part of Eric for Eva’s welfare as a person suffering

21. Quote: Well, I'm 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--

Analysis:  Birling replies to the quote above from Eric by saying ‘So you had to go to bed with her?’. Eric’s reply seems to tell us that he is essentially saying he is not a boy but a grown man with natural sexual urges which need to be fulfilled.

Many men his age are married and thus have companions whereas he does not. It is in that void that his affair with Eva Smith must be seen. He also takes a dig at Mr Birling’s friends for being with ‘fat old tarts’. He is not impressed by Birling’s friends.

22. Quote: Yes. And the next time – or the time after that – she told me she thought she was going to have a baby. She wasn't quite sure. And then she was.

Analysis: This quote lets us know that Eric knew of the possibility of Eva having his child. She was not sure at first but then later on she was. Eric thus realises the consequences of his action result in fathering a child, something he was not ready for partly because he himself is a quasi-child in some ways, not a fully matured man.

23. Quote: Yes, and so was I. I was in a hell of a state about it.

Analysis: This is what he says to the inspector when he (the inspector) asks in Eva was worried about having a child (see quote above). This shows as mentioned above Eric is not ready for fatherhood. He was in emotional turmoil over the prospect of having a child with Eva, of her being pregnant.

24. Quote: No. she didn't want me to marry her. Said I didn't love her – and all that. In a way, she treated me – as if I were a kid. Though I was nearly as old as she was.

Analysis:  It was perhaps clear to Eva that Eric did not ‘love’ her, which might have meant in her eyes her being someone whom he should be loyal to and in a meaningful union of mutual support and commitment. Most likely she was just someone on the side for Eric . We can also see that Eric’s immaturity is apparent to Eva who has had a harder life and a more gritty experience of the world and is thus more mature in comparison to the spoilt rich boy Eric.

Eva has been schooled by hard knocks and working class life whereas even Birling thinks the public school Eric went to has not educated him sufficiently.

25. Quote: Well, she hadn't a job – and didn't feel like trying again for one – and she'd no money left – so I insisted on giving her enough money to keep her going – until she refused to take any more--

Analysis:  Eva was jobless and did not want one. Now a capitalist might say that is her fault as it was her duty to work or find a job. In modern terms we might say she was psychologically traumatised and thus not capable of work for emotional reasons or even due to issues of mental health. Such ideas and terms did not exist or not in the same way back in the colder, more ruthless world of 1912 England.

Who can blame Eva for not being able to work when she had worked hard in life and had even one job removed from her for essentially nothing. The job in which Sheila Birling’s complaint led to her dismissal. Losing her income and her means of survival over something as petty and meaningless as that might have psychologically devastated her and though it may not have rendered her mentally unwell it could have caused a degree of mental instability or illness. Priestley is also showing there is no safety net for women in that situation.

Eva Smith was a hardworking woman who was the victim of injustice but had no means of surival. Socialists would have said then that this meant that the state should do its part to help such needy women in the form of social welfare payments. Priestley helps to advance this case by highlighting Eva’s plight.

26. Quote: I suppose – about fifty pounds all told.

Analysis:  Eric states how much money he gave to Eva. Note fifty pounds back in 1912 is worth far more than now and would be equivalent to over £5,000 if adjusted for inflation. Eric though having problems with alcohol does have a compassionate side to him akin to his sibling, Sheila.

27. Quote: I got it – from the office--

Analysis:  Eric says that he took the money from ‘the office’ to which his father asks if it was his office. Eric confirms that it was to which his father tries to verify from him that he ‘stole’ the money.

28. Quote: Not really

Analysis:  This is Eric’s reply to his father asking whether he stole the money. Eric does not view this as theft. It appears that in his mind it is taking cash to help someone in need temporarily with that cash to be returned/repaid when possible.

This raises interesting questions about money and morality. Is Eric a thief? He did not do this out of greed or to satisfy selfish whims but to help someone struggling, someone who in fact ended up killing herself such was her miserable state. The money ‘belonged’ to his family it could be said and thus was partly his, though of course Mr Birling views it as his (Birling’s) money. In addition as mentioned earlier Eric planned to return the money.

29. Quote: No, not really. I intended to pay it back.

Analysis:  As discussed above Eric planned to return the money he had taken from the business. He is asked if he ‘stole’ the money and this is his reply. He does not view this as theft and intended to pay the money back. What is interesting is this highlights what some would say is the very ugly greediness and even cruelty of Mr Birling and of capitalism.

Instead of having some sympathy or even respect for the difficult dilema that Eric was in and it was done to help someone who later killed herself and who had been treated unfairly by Mr Birling’s family multiple times, Birling is incensed with the loss of the money and has a very one-dimensional attitude to this.

This would seem to validate Eric’s statements later that Birling is not the kind of man that a son can turn to in times of trouble. Capitalism can be devoid of compassion and is obsessed with money above all else. We can see a clear example here.

30. Quote: Because you're not the kind of father a chap could go to when he's in trouble – that's why.

Analysis:  Birling is not the ideal guardian or head of a family as a father figure. If such capitalists cannot be great fathers or leaders of a family how can they then lead society in general? If sons cannot turn to such wealthy industrialists in times of trouble then how can society rely on such people.

Despite Birling having made money and won titles and important positions he is a failure as a father. Poor in emotional intelligence and communication skills. Perhaps the poor parenting from Birling contributed partially to the void that Eric might be feeling which he attempts to fill by alcohol and other things.

31. Quote: Yes. That was the worst of all. She wouldn't take any more, and she didn't want to see me again. (sudden startled tone.) Here, but how did you know that? Did she tell you?

The inspector says to Eric that ‘The girl discovered that this money you were giving her was stolen, didn’t she?’ and this is Eric’s reply. What we can learn from this are various important points.

• Contrary to Mrs Birling’s rigid classism and view of the working class as morally inferior we see that Eva is a person of moral integrity and honesty. She refuses to take stolen money. Perhaps if she had taken that money she would still have been alive. This act of honesty could have cost her life.
• Eva is not greedy and money-obsessed in comparison to Mr Birling whose obsession with money can be seen in the preceding lines. Thus Eva asking for higher pay in Birlings’ factory was not driven by greed but by a need to survive. If Eva was greedy and immoral she would have taken that money.
• Contrary to Mr Birling and his wife who are boasting about their relationships and connections to important people, Eva does not seek to exploit Eric as a naive, foolish and rich young man. In fact ironically he is ‘not good enough’ for her it seems as he had committed an act of theft. We see here Priestley showing how the working class can be morally superior to the rich.

This line is arguably the most important and powerful line in the entire play. Eva Smith died, refusing to take stolen money. She was a person of honesty and morality which may have cost her and her child’s life.

32. Quote: She told you? Did she come here – but then she couldn't have done, she didn't even know I lived here. What happened?

Analysis:  This quote illustrates that Eva did not know where Eric lived and thus how limited their relationship was. The Birling’s house was hardly any member of the supposedly inferior working class would be welcome.

33. Quote: 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

Analysis:  After hearing the inspector saying that Eva went to the charity Mrs Birling was involved with and was refused help, Eric explodes in rage and unleashes some powerful words. Priestley uses these words to bring home the full impact of Mrs Birling’s actions and how dangerous her snobbery, prejucide and essentially cruelty can be. Such attitudes can be fatal and even kill people, they must thus be abandoned for a better Britain to emerge.

34. Quote: (almost threatening her) You don't understand anything. You never did. You never even tried – you -

Analysis:  Eric’s rage is such that he comes close to doing something to his own mother causing his father to warn him to ‘get back’. Mrs Birling is clearly an ignorant woman with very limited life experience restricted primarily to socialising with the rich and having little understanding of the majority of British people at that time.

What is interesting is we cannot be sure what Eric means by ‘You never did’. What is it that Mrs Birling never understood? Is it perhaps that like her husband she was far from a great parent who could not show understanding of Eric? This is quite possible. However by the word ‘never’, we can sense that Eric has long-term deep rooted issues and grievances with his mother.

She is thus also a failure as a parent and not the model of success she would like to perceive herself. Priestley is again highlighting the many flaws of the rich upper classes.

35. Quote: My God – I'm not likely to forget.

Analysis: The inspector says to Mrs Birling ‘You refused her even the pitiable little bit of organized charity you had in your power to grant her. Remember what you did’ to which Eric says he will not forget this.

Eric it seems may remain psychologically scarred by the death of Eva, a woman pregnant with his child. This shows that society is interconnected because a rich man like Eric will be impacted emotionally by the fate of a working class woman like Eva. He will suffer.

We cannot divide society in to different groups and classes who will have no impact on each other and have a system of social separation and class apartheid.

36. Quote: I'll bet I am

Analysis:  This is Eric’s response to Birling saying to him, ‘You’re the one I blame for this’. Birling does not blame himself, nor Sheila, nor his wife. Eric is different because he spent money. Mrs Birling refused to give money to Eva, Mr Birling refused to give money to Eva in the form of higher pay and Sheila though responsible for Eva being fired did not give her money.

This again shows Birling’s greedy and money-obsessed nature. Rather than respecting Eric for being the one person in the family who actively tried to help Eva, he hates him the most. Compassion is not something Birling cares about, what he cares about and reveres is money. Capitalism can indeed be a very cruel, brutal and inhuman thing.

37. Quote: Well, I don't care now.

Analysis:  This is what Eric says to Birling’s statement, ‘Yes, and you don’t realize yet all you’ve done. Most of this is bound to come out. There’ll be a public scandal.’ Eric like his sister Sheila is a more humane person than his parents and he prioritises human welfare and suffering e.g. Eva’s death over less important things such as money and reputation.

Eric and Sheila are younger and thus closer to the more natural ,innocent nature of human beings that they possess as children whereas their parents have been moulded and dehumanised after decades of classism and other forms of social conditioning which has caused them to prioritise money and status above human welfare.

38. Quote: (laughing) Oh – for God's sake! What does it matter now weather they give you a knighthood or not?

Analysis:  Birling says ‘You! You don’t seem to care about anything. But I care. I was almost certain for a knighthood in the next Honours List-‘ Eric laughs at this nonsensical misprioritisation of values. Amidst the background of a dead young woman, Birling’s obsession with a knighthood seems petty, even chilidsh.

We also see how volatile the situation is. From almost threatening his mother moments earlier, Eric is now in ironic laughter. The situation is very tense and dramatic, an emotional roller coster such is the impact that this is having on everyone.

39. Quote: Well, I don't blame you. But don't forget I'm ashamed of you as well – yes both of you.

Analysis:  Following on from her husband reprimanding Eric for his drinking and womanising, Mrs Birling says to Eric ‘I should think not. Eric, I’m absolutely ashamed of you’ and Eric replies with these words. Rather than being proud of his father who is rich, friends with powerful people and could have even become a knight, Eric is ashamed.

What Priestley is doing here is telling us that beyond the labels and image that many have the reality can be darker and uglier. No one might even know about the Birlings and what they did to Eva. Birling might even go on to become knighted, but for those who know the reality of the Birlings they would find some of their actions shameful. Priestley is again telling the upper class, the wealthy in British society not to be so conceited or engage in a perception of themselves as perfect and free from faults.

40. Quote: No, Sheila's right. It doesn't.

Analysis:  Sheila says it doesn’t make any difference whether the inspector was real or not. Her parents are concerned with their reputation and image and not with Eva’s death , so for them it does matter as they want to avoid any consequences for themselves from the authorities or news spreading of what has happened, however for Sheila and Eric that is not what matters, what matters is someone has died, whether the inspector was a real inspector or not. Eric and his sister’s value system is different to that of their parents and superior.

41. Quote: She's right, though.

Analysis:  Sheila says ‘I suppose we’re all nice people now’ to which Birling reacts angrily to and tells her to be quiet. Again Eric agrees with his sister and is saying essentially that image and reputation are not important but the very real loss of the life of a fellow human being is.

Birling can be said to representing capitalist greed in this play and thus capitalism, in this context, does not care about people dying.

42. Quote: What's the use of talking about behaving sensibly. You're beginning to pretend now that nothing's really happened at all. And I can't see it like that. This girl's still dead, isn't she? Nobody's brought her to life, have they?

Analysis:  Eric tries to remind his parents that someone has died. He is trying to bring their focus on to Eva, their focus is however on themselves and their reputation. Even with Eva dead they do not care about Eva but themselves. Again the ugliness of classism and capitalism and the inhumanity and cruelty it can produce is highlighted.

43. Quote: whoever that chap was, the fact remains that I did what I did. And mother did what she did. And the rest of you did what you did to her. It's still the same rotten story whether it's been told to a police inspector or to somebody else. According to you, I ought to feel a lot better - ( To Gerald.) I stole some money, Gerald, you might as well know - ( As Birling tries to interrupt.) I don't care, let him know. The money's not the important thing. It's what happened to the girl and what we all did to her that matters. And I still feel the same about it, and that's why I don't feel like sitting down and having a nice cosy talk.

Analysis:  What Eric is saying essentially is that regardless of external perceptions or ‘image’, the cold reality is that the actions of the Birlings have been shameful. The elder Birlings do not care about realities but about external appearances such as their image and reputation, thus they cannot really be said to be people of high moral standards concerned with people and their problems, but greedy, self-centred people.

Eric also says money is ‘not the important thing’. This is in contrast to capitalism where money, profits take priority over other things.

44. Quote: And I say the girl's dead and we all helped to kill her – and that's what matters -

Analysis:  Eric accepts responsibility for his role in Eva’s death but believes it is a collective responsibility that lies on the shoulders of the whole family, to which Birling reacts with absolute and utter fury, threatening to kick him out of the house.

Birling once again does not care about Eva, nor about her dead child, nor about the impact on his son. His mind is on being knighted, getting back the £50 Eric took. Again Priestley is very successful in showing us the potentially horrible nature of unrestricted capitalism.

45. Quote: I don't give a damn now whether I stay here or not

Analysis:  Eric who has become more assertive is not scared by his father’s threat of being kicked out of the house. Emotions are high including Eric’s.

Eric has already grown in manliness. If he were to be kicked out he would have to fend for himself and stand on his own two feet. However these angry words are said in an emotional state of mind by Birling.

46. Quote: And it doesn't alter the fact that we all helped to kill her

Analysis:  Eric is unphased by his father’s warning a moment ago about being expelled from the house, he again repeats that the family helped to kill Eva. By extension this portrays the poor treatment of the working class poor by the rich in general negatively.

The ‘we’ in this phrase could also be interpreted by members of the wealthy upper-classes to indirectly refer to them and their treatment of the poor and the need for them to change it.

47. Quote: And so we have.

Analysis:  This is Eric’s reaction to Gerald saying ‘he bluffs us into confessing that we’ve all been mixed up in this girl’s life in one way or anther’. On a more general level what Priestley is illustrating here is that contrary to some unrealistic upper-class wishes of strict social separation, society is interconnected as we see in this play.

48. Quote: I 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.

Analysis:  Another quote from Eric where he blames the family for Eva’s fate. Eric has a conscience and will not absolve himself from what happened to Eva.

49. Quote: I'm not!

Analysis:  This is Eric’s response to Sheila saying to the Birlings ‘You’re pretending everything’s just as it was before’. A member of the upper class who may have watched this play by Priestley should not just be unimpacted by what they have seen or learnt in this play like the elder Birlings . Like the younger Birlings they should be moved and emotionally impacted by the depiction her of just one ‘Eva Smith’ when as the inspector says there are millions like her.

If this is a night of learning and education for the Birlings then watching the play should be the same for members of the rich who watch the play. They can either become like Mr Birling and his wife who choose to ignore what they have learnt or be like Sheila and Eric who are emotionally impacted by this. Of course the logical extension of being appalled by the suffering of the poor in British society at the time would be to work for a better Britain free of such suffering which was of course the aim of Socialists like Priestley.

50. Quote: And I agree with Sheila. It frightens me too.

Analysis:  Sheila had said to her parents that ‘it frightens me the way you talk, and I can’t listen to any more of it.’. Eric agrees. It is not totally clear what frightens her but we could view it as fear of how indifferent to human suffering her parents could be. This indifference or this cruelty is frightening, because in the future it could lead to greater evil.

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An Inspector Calls Essays

One of the best things you can do to revise for any english exam is to read examples of essays. below you'll find a range of essays which you can read at your leisure., though there are always benefits in reading essays, becoming use to "active reading" is also important. to do this, use one of these strategies to help:, print the essay off and highlight key phrases or pieces of analysis that you like, keep some notes on the ways the essays use key vocabulary, cherry-picking the best phrases for use yourself, note down the structures of the essays but making a note of the focus of each paragraph, remember that there are hundreds of ways to write a successful essay, as the examples below will highlight. but they all manage to link the big ideas of the play with the language and structure; they all write about priestley's intentions and the audience's responses; they all recognise that this play is written to make a political point, not just to entertain the audience., a) how does priestley explore responsibility in an inspector calls , in the play, priestly wanted the audience to take responsibility for each other, to see that society was "one body." he wanted the audience in 1945 to recognise that although there had been positive changes since 1912, he didn't want them to regress and, in fact, wanted them to demand even more social reform., firstly , priestley uses the inspector to demonstrate to his audience that morality is a much more admirable quality in a person than mr birling's selfish manner. in act 3 mr birling offers "thousands" to help eva, though the inspector tells him that he is “offering money at the wrong time.” this shows that the inspector has the moral high ground and, although from a lower class, is holding all the power over the birling's treasured reputation. to the audience it would be obvious that birling should have given the money earlier, that it was inevitable that eva would end up costing him. it is also revealing that birling wouldn't give eva smith a small pay rise as it would have meant he couldn't "lower prices" but when it came to saving his status he was prepared to “give thousands.” by this stage, mr birling seems quite flustered and somewhat embarrassed as although in the outside world his authority is growing in his own home he can't control a man of “that class.” from a psychoanalytic perspective you could argue that this reflects birlings upbringing and the values that he was taught to respect as a younger man when he worked had and was kept poor in a way that taught him the value of hard work. in this way, mr birling feels that all the people who have money deserve it while the people who don't have money clearly don't deserve it. also, it is from his background that birling being taught to prioritise materialistic things could be the root of his difficult relationship with eric; he comes across as very cold and unforgiving which possibly reflected onto his son. this could easily be a subconscious cause of eric's addiction (looking for escape and comfort in the absence of his father's approval) and be linked to why eva viewed him to be more juvenile than gerald. the need for superficial things in his life like power and wealth is portrayed in the play as quite harmful and only something which will hold a person back, the inspector seems to be free from all these hindering social constructs and is definitely a much more favourable character because of this., in spite of their strong differences in beliefs, both mr birling and the inspector are very self-assured characters who are equally set in their ways . this is not mirrored in the younger characters like eric or sheila. priestly emphasizes a message directed towards the younger generations that they are the hope for change. throughout the play birling refuses to accept the need for reform or responsibility , he represents the stereotypical man of his age and class that priestley uses to contradict sheila's growing outward-looking empathy. when she promises the inspector that she will “never never do it again to anybody” she is acknowledging her privileges and shows that she understands how people must take responsibility for each other. i would say that her materialistic upbringing and the damage that has done makes her incredibly naive and impacts hugely on her opinion of others' worth. when talking about eva smith in act 1 one of the first things she asked was “is she pretty” from this line alone it is clear to the audience where her priorities lie and what kinds of values were instilled in her from a young age probably by her shallow mother. priestly highlights that it's the duty of the young to bring about reform and for this to happen they firstly need to realise the older generations won't do it for them. he also stresses that it's not ok for people like the birlings to take credit for their achievements but never accept responsibility for the consequences of their profit., priestley uses the contrast between age groups and class to explore universal divides caused by pride, reputation and lack of accountability, things that mr and mrs birling value highly but sheila is willing to let go of by accepting her mistakes and returning gerald's engagement ring (also rejecting her father's business interest in gerald.).

Examiners commentary:

The simple, clear first paragraph is fine.

The second paragraph, however, contains some interesting points that could be related to the question but which aren't. As a result, a lot of what's good in this paragraph is lost. This could have been easily fixed if the student had remembered to continually link their points back to the question.

The third paragraph is an improvement in that it does mention responsibility more often and has some interesting observations about the generation gap.

The third paragraph feels unfinished and unclear - it sounds like it's saying that Mr and Mrs Birling value accountability highly, or that the view a "lack of accountability" highly, neither of which are true.

AO1: Lots of AO1, though it isn't connected to the question often enough

AO2: Not enough AO2 at all - hardly any specific language analysis

AO3: Nothing of note outside of the first paragraph

Grade: This is a difficult essay to grade. There are lots of interesting points, especially about how our upbringings affect our outlook, but they're not always linked to the question which means they won't score as well as they should. Also, a complete lack of AO2 causes real problems. This is probably a G5 though with a few minor changes it could easily be pushed up two grades.

B) How does Priestley explore responsibility in An Inspector Calls ?

Priestley presents a strong message about responsibility throughout the play. he wants us all to take more responsibility for each other., firstly, he uses the character of mr birling to convey the ignorance of those who refuse to take responsibility. we can see this when mr birling says, “community and all that nonsense”. the use of the noun “nonsense” shows the audience that mr birling is mocking socialists and those who believe society should be a community. you can almost hear his sarcastic tone as if ‘community’ is an absurd idea. the word “all” also highlights his belief that anything to do with community, such as helping others and being responsible for one another, is ridiculous. this links to when he says, “a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own.” the repetition of the pronoun “his” emphasises that he only takes care of his possessions and doesn’t think twice about others. also, it exposes to the audience his sense of higher class entitlement linked to his lack of responsibility for things that are not directly his fault. the audience of 1945 would have been shocked because by this time, after the labour movement and war, people were becoming more open-minded about mixing social classes and community responsibility. this links to priestley’s message because he was a socialist and believed people should have equal rights., in contrast to mr birling, priestley uses the character of sheila to present those who are willing to take responsibility. we see this in the line, “i’ll never, never do it again to anyone”. the repetition of “never, never” reveals that sheila feels guilty and deeply regrets her actions. it also tells the audience that she is open-minded about changing how she behaves, regardless of her social class. the use of the noun “anyone” reveals that she doesn’t care if the person is upper class or lower class. she doesn’t want to put anyone in that position again and has taken full responsibility. if this play had been shown in 1912, the audience may have been more likely to agree with the birling’s ideas and would have thought sheila may be acting foolishly. however, the audience of 1945 would have been more sympathetic towards sheila because at this time, society was shifting towards the creation of the nhs, the introduction of education for all and the building of social housing. this reflected how society was coming together more and caring more for the poor instead of brushing them aside., similarly, the character of inspector goole is the main voice of responsibility in the play and is the voice of priestley himself as he is trying to show the birling family that being upper class doesn’t make them any less responsible for the community than the next person. this sense of responsibility is also reflected in the stage directions when the light goes from “pink and intimate” and “brighter and harder”, when the inspector enters. immediately, this tells us that the i nspector has a presence on the stage and that he has come to say something important. perhaps it is about bri nging light to the things that the upper classes like to hide in the shadows, or the harsh lighting works almost like he is interrogating the family. the spotlight is now on them and what they have done., additionally, priestley conveys a message of responsibility through the inspector when he says, “we are members of one body.” the noun “members” highlights that we are all joined together and if one member falls, then it brings everything down. furthermore, it links to the idea that community is like a family who should take care of each other no matter what. it could also have religious connotations because in the last supper jesus said, “this is my body that will be given up for you, take this in memory of me.” here, jesus said that people should eat the bread because it would bring everyone together and he always believed that people should be equal. in 1912, people were very divided and the poor would rarely move up to the higher classes. priestley was aiming to ensure that the shifts in society happening in 1945 were strengthened and that everyone felt that responsibility for others was important..

Really clear structure, with a clear target for each paragraph

Doesn't make a wide range of points but has a quote to backup each point and explores the quote in depth

Each section ends with something about the context

Though each point is presented with a quote attached, this could have been improved with some other references from the play even if those quotes or references weren't analysed in depth

AO1: Not much AO1 really, no real refernces to key moments of plot

AO2: Lots of great AO2 - quotes analysed in depth

AO3: Good AO3, all key points linked to context

Grade: A really neat, clear and well organised essay. A lack of AO1 is a problem, as is the fact that although each paragraph was linked to an idea connected to responsibility the link isn't always made clear. However, there's loads of AO2 and AO3 so it would be a comfortable G7. With a couple of sentences added to each paragraph which referenced a few key moments of plot it would go up to a G8.

C) How does Priestley explore responsibility in An Inspector Calls ?

Priestley explores ideas about responsibility through the way the birlings behave towards eva smith. arthur birling explains the family’s capitalist philosophy when he says ‘a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own’ which suggests that he feels that he only has responsibility for his own family and himself . this is reinforced by the way the birlings treat eva smith. first of all, arthur fires her from his factory to make an example of her because she asks for higher wages and dares to take responsibility for others by speaking up on their behalf. it is revealed that arthur’s prime motive is to keep wages down so that he could make more profits. priestley reinforces this through arthur’s constant repetition of ‘hard headed man of business’, to remind the audience that he is representative of capitalism and the damage it causes. the word ‘business’ is later used by birling to refer to the death of eva smith as he states how her death is ‘horrid business’ which emphasises the message that birling only sees people’s lives in terms of profit. priestley is showing the audience that a blind belief that generating profits and prosperity for the good of everyone is fundamentally wrong as it causes innocent people to suffer tragic consequences., although all the birlings are responsible for eva’s mistreatment and death in some way, they react differently when they find this out from the inspector. mr and mrs birling do not change and are only concerned about their reputation - the possible ‘scandal’ or arthur’s ‘knighthood’. however, priestley’s intention is give the audience a message of hope as sheila and eric do recognise that they have behaved badly by the end of the play and therefore he is suggesting that it is the younger generation that have the responsibility for adopting more socialist principles. through the younger birlings’ attitudes, priestley suggests that socialism is the modern way and that it is young people who will change society for the better., this change of views in the younger generation is also shown through the play’s structure as eric dramatically exits the stage at a crucial point suggesting he is struggling to contain his guilt over his mistreatment of eva smith. likewise, sheila is struggling with her guilt and tries to show that she has changed by directing others to realise their own responsibility in eva smith’s suicide. for example, sheila warns her mother not to ‘build up a wall’ this metaphor describes the separation of the social classes as mrs birling believes she is superior to the lower classes. the irony is that the opposite is true as priestley reveals how mrs birling’s behaviour is morally wrong – she punished a pregnant girl by refusing her charity when she needed it the most just because the girl used her name and in doing so angered mrs birling., through using the form of a morality play, priestley is able to identify what each family member’s sins and how it was these sins that they demonstrated and caused their mistreatment of eva smith. for instance, eric’s lust for eva smith meant that he forced himself upon eva and then his sloth – his inability to earn his own money meant he stole money from his father instead of facing up to his responsibility and earning money himself. by the end of the play, priestley shows that eric fully accepts his responsibility and describes how he cannot even remember his assault of eva as being a ‘hellish thing’. the use of this metaphor implies he is being tortured by his own guilt and knows he has been committed to hell due to his sins., priestley constructs the inspector’s role as that of a priest as he extracts all the confessions from the birlings and attempts to force them to accept their responsibilities through asking questions which challenge their capitalist way of life and challenges their edwardian values of social class and hierarchy. in addition, the inspector’s language has religious tones to it as he warns the birlings and gerald croft that if they do not stop exploiting the poor, they will learn their lesson with ‘fire, blood and anguish’. there is an inference that they will be punished in hell for not caring about the way those less fortunate are treated. through the inspector’s voice, the audience hear the socialist message that the birlings are being taught and we left knowing that this is a warning to us all – we need to accept responsibility and take better care of others around us., how does sheila change during an inspector calls, - summary paragraph, - stage directions, - confrontation with the inspector – she takes responsibility, - standing up to her parents, - the young are more impressionable, - ending – grown up, throughout inspector calls, sheila is the character who changes the most. at the beginning of the play she is a young, naïve girl who is happy to be told what to think and do; by the end she is the only character who really takes responsibility for the death of eva and is happy to tell her parents that she thinks they are wrong., the stage directions describe her as being “very pleased with life” a phrase which reflects her luxurious upbringing. she’s also described as being “excited” an adjective that suggests she is looking forward to her life. in both these respects she could be viewed as being ignorant to the reality of what her luxury costs others, or how difficult the times ahead will be., sheila refers to her parents as “mummy” and “daddy,” nouns that are associated with young children and not young adults; she is also told off by her mother for squabbling with her brother, a fact that reinforces our vision of her as being infantilised by her parents. sheila is then given a ring by her fiancé gerald. “is it the one you wanted me to have” she asks him, a phrase that suggests she wasn’t really interested in what she wanted but only what gerald wanted her to have. throughout the opening she is presented as a child, with no real desires or wishes of her own. in many respects, she is the traditional rich young woman – without a real mind of her own by virtue of her gender., when the inspector arrives, he explains how her spoilt behaviour in a shop led to eva being sacked. “then i’m really responsible,” she accepts, quickly recognising her role in the girl’s downfall. also, she observes that the inspector is getting ready to speak to gerald next and pushes this through, asking direct questions to gerald and working out the reasons why he wasn’t where he said he was the summer before. in both these cases, she is showing independent thought – by accepting responsibility even when others don’t and by pushing gerald against his wishes., during their time with the inspector, her parents and gerald repeatedly try to send sheila out of the room to protect her from his news – her mother argues that she is “looking tired,” something that we would only really say to a very small child. sheila repeatedly refuses, arguing that she will stay until “i know why that girl killed herself.” here, she clearly shows herself standing up to her parents, sticking to her desire to discover the truth of the situation., at one point arthur argues that the inspector is making “quite an impression” on sheila, suggesting that she’s coming around to the inspector’s way of thinking. “we often do on the young ones,” the inspector replies, suggesting that his socialist values are more affective on younger people. this reflects a view of priestley’s which was that socialism and left wing values are more impactful on younger people, a fact that’s often reflected in even modern opinion polls where right wing conservatives tend to be older. this is also shown in how, by the end of the play, mr and mrs birling remain unchanged by the arrival of the inspector, while their children change – even gerald admits that the events “affected him,” before he reverts back to his old ways., even after the inspector leaves, sheila continues to push his ideas trying to make sure that her family don’t forget him. she claims they are beginning to “pretend” that nothing has happened, clearly accepting that things won’t be the same again. her use of the verb is interesting as well, as games of “pretend” are really childish things. it seems that the girl who was once infantilised is now accusing her parents of playing make-believe. she also argues that her parents “don’t seem to have learnt anything,” behaving almost like a school mistress arguing that a lesson has been missed. she also says, in response to a speech from eric in which he accepts responsibility, that he makes her feel a little less “ashamed” of them, a word which really shows just how powerfully sheila sees her parents’ remorseless behaviour., her frustration is clear throughout the ending, where she says her parents’ behaviour “scares” her. this clearly references the inspectors closing words about “fire and blood and anguish” which referenced the years of war that would follow the period between the play being written and being performed. the audience at this point would doubtless be agreeing with sheila regarding her fear. her parents continue to ignore her desire to grow up, infantilising her again by suggesting that she’s just “tired” and “hysterical,” though they can’t ignore her final words when she refuses gerald’s ring again which clearly shows that she has grown up enough to express herself completely, how does priestley present mrs birling as an unlikeable character (high level response), priestley presents mrs birling as an unlikable character as she doesn’t change throughout the play. in acts 1 and 2 she doesn’t say much about the tragic death of eva at all, showing her lack of remorse., on the other hand, characters like sheila do realise the horror of the suicide. in act 2, gerald says “sorry, i’ve just realised a girl has died”. this is ironic [sic] as he had found out in act 1, but it had only sunken in in act 2. the word “sorry” shows he feels embarrassed about his emotional side, as many men of the time (1912) did., sheila also changes throughout, creating a stark contrast to her mother. in act 1 she refers to her mother as “mummy” like when she says “mummy, isn’t it a beauty” this shows she was dependant on her and worried about material things. she later says, “but these girls aren’t cheap labour, they’re people” to mr birling, showing his daughter isn’t afraid to voice her opinion but her mother is. in act 2, sheila says, “we really must stop these silly pretences”. the inclusive pronoun “we” not only presents sheila as the family member doing the right thing and trying to influence others, as her mother should, but also involves the audience, trying to give them a message. the noun “pretences” is significant as it was mrs birling who pretended not to remember eva smith., when she was shown the photo it was evident that mrs birling didn’t change throughout as at the end of the play in act 3 gerald suggests that “he’s been had”, and the birlings are keen to accept it, whilst sheila and gerald remain guilt-stricken. the audience of the time, in 1945, would have just experienced the war and realised everyone must start taking care of one another. they may have not been so quick to change, as, at the time, only rich, most-likely capitalist, people would have gone to the theatre to see the play, whereas a modern audience is more diverse and open., priestley also presents mrs birling as an unlikable character as she is dismissive towards many different groups. for example, she says “a girl of that class” when her part in the suicide is revealed. the noun “girls” shows mrs birling’s views that working class girls are undeserving of names. this derogatory comment would have infuriated an audience of 1945 as the working class were extremely beneficial during the war, though the class divide was massive in 1912. she is even misogynist, like mr birling, who says “clothes mean something different to women”. she says “sheila and i had better go to the drawing room”, which shows her views on women’s place in society, due to gender roles. she also says men have to spend a lot of time working away, but sheila challenges it and says she won’t get used to it. it is obvious priestley has used the younger generations as a symbol for more open-minded people as eric also challenges mr birling on war. mr birling says the titanic is “unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable”. the repetition and qualifiers enhance the dramatic irony as he was wrong about both of these things. it is almost as though priestley is mocking people like mr birling., mrs birling also has capitalist views which don’t change throughout the play. she believes in a social hierarchy as seen in the stage directions before the play begin, where the characters are placed around a rectangular table which gives power to those at the top and bottom, and when she says, “be quiet and let your father think of what we should do next”. the imperative verb “be” shows how she is even being rude towards her own children., this contrast with shelia’s feminism, which was popular due to the suffragette movement in 1912, significant after 1945 as many women helped the war effort and important to a modern audience who have achieved so much. mrs birling uses her powers for bad as she “influenced” the committee to refuse eva help., priestley uses the play as an allegory for his socialist views. by inducing a sense of hatred towards mrs birling he allows the audience to see the flaws in a capitalist mind-set. priestley, having served in the war himself, developed strong socialist views. this is reflected in the inspector, who is a mouthpiece for priestley as he uses the metaphor, “we are all part of one body” to imply everyone should look after one another. priestley had a popular radio programme which was cancelled for being too “left wing” by the bbc. as time progresses, the audience becomes more socialist and the play is more effective., priestley presents mrs birling as having double standard. this can be seen in the quotation, “i’m sorry eric… didn’t know”, after finding out it was her son she was talking about when she said he should take full responsibility for eva’s pregnancy., despite stage directions calling for pink, intimate lighting at the beginning, mrs birling never seems to be intimate with her children. when the inspector asks if eric drinks, she says “of course not, he’s only a boy”, which shows she is either lying or not close with her family. however, sheila says he’s been “steadily drinking for two years”, showing she is either trying to get him into trouble or is keen to get him help. either way, she is closer with him than his own mother. the siblings also exchange comments when she calls him “squiffy”. the colloquialism has mrs birling unaware of the changes and reluctant to change her mind-set. this also foreshadows the importance of alcohol in the play as it was the cause of eric’s behaviour., how does priestley present the views of the inspector in an inspector calls (high level response), inspector goole is presented as an omnipotent, powerful figure throughout the whole play; his presence immediately has the power to change the light and cheerful atmosphere of the birlings' dinner party. the lighting changes from "pink and intimate" to "brighter and harder" once the inspector arrives. here, priestley's use of the adjectives "pink and intimate" suggests a warm and happy atmosphere whereas the adjective "harder" opposes this. priestley uses the inspector as a dramatic device. not only could it be argued that the inspector is an immensely powerful figure but also that priestley uses the stage directions that inspector goole's arrival to act as a symbol for how he wants society to improve. the lighting before the inspector arrives suggests that the birling family – who are a stereotypical portrayal of a middle class family – were happy whilst they were ignorant to the working class. the lighting change tells us how priestley wants society to change; he wants society to stop being ignorant to the working class., furthermore, j. b. priestley uses the inspector to convey that he wants society to change and become more empathetic towards the working class instead of perceiving them as being disposable. when the inspector arrives, he tells the birling family about eva smith’s suicide in which she drank a lot of strong disinfectant that “burnt her inside out”. priestley’s language persuades the audience to feel immense sympathy not only for eva smith but also for all of the working class; it could be argued that eva smith’s suffering and suicide is used as a metaphor to highlight the continuous struggled faced by the working class, throwing into relief the issues within society and how these problems are ignored by the wealthier classes. priestley’s gory imagery alternately makes the audience feel guilty because they may realise how ignorant they have been to ignore the struggles of the working class and persuade them to change by being more empathetic., priestley suggests that a pressing issue with the twentieth century society is that people are reluctant to take responsibility for their actions. this view is encapsulated through the use of the elder members of the birling family, arthur birling and his wife mrs birling – who do not take responsibility for their actions towards eva smith. however, priestley uses the inspector to try to change this. the inspector states that if we share nothing else, “we have to share our guilt”. here priestley uses the personal pronoun “we” to give society a sense of unity, implying everyone must do the same and follow the inspector’s teachings. ‘an inspector calls’ was set in 1912, a time in which society was divided by not only gender but by social class. priestley wants the middle and upper classes to transform from abusing their power to dominate and exploit the working class to instead being more responsible for their actions and treating people more sympathetically ., priestley uses the inspector to convey the consequences of what will happen if members of society do not change. he states that we will be “taught” in “fire and blood and anguish”. priestley’s use of a triplet of nouns act as metaphors for the two world wars. the entire play is used as a motif for the wars; if society proceeds to not improve the way in which members of society treat each other, the world wars will repeat in an endless cycle until we learn. here, the inspector is presented as an omnipotent being. ‘an inspector calls’ was written and first performed at the end of the second world war therefore the contemporary audience will have experienced the perpetual suffering that comes with them. priestley uses the inspector to make the audience fearful as they are persuaded to think that the inspector is a god-like character imposing judgement on society. this will persuade all audiences to change their actions and embrace socialist ideologies of caring for other members of society which is what priestley intended them to do., priestley wants the middle and upper classes to stop being selfish and exploiting the poor for their own financial gain, but instead be more generous and empathetic towards other members of the working class. the inspector is almost an impartial figure in the play because he does not fit into the distinct levels of society. this gives the audience the impression that the inspector is an unbiased figure; they will be persuaded to listen to him and change their views., compare priestley’s presentation of eva smith and shelia birling., in the play ‘an inspector calls’ we see a family called the birlings that consist of many different characters, personalities and beliefs. we only begin to see these different aspects when the family begin to learn how each one of them was involved in causing the chain of events which led a girl, eva smith to commit suicide. there are two characters in particular who are very different in the way that they live their lives and their own outlook on life. these two characters are eva smith and shelia birling., shelia is the daughter of sybil and arthur birling. they are a well-known family in brumley and are in the public eye constantly because of the position her father holds within the town as he is on the bench and the owner of the big birling and company and is due to marry gerald croft whose parents are very well-known also., eva smith is almost the opposite of the social scale to shelia. she has no friends or family to rely on and is quite an independent woman. she struggles to get by and is unable to cope with the strains that she is forced to be under at her age., at the beginning of the play we see shelia at the table with her family and how she is influenced by her family’s thoughts. she was quite childish and used petty excuses for her actions ‘i told him that if they didn’t get rid of that girl, i’d never go near the place again’. this shows that shelia had the same approach about how to treat others of the lower class as her father, which is not a good quality that shelia and arthur birling share., when we first hear of eva smith in the play we learn about the time that she experienced while working at birling and company. she was outspoken, resilient and gutsy as she led a group of workers on strike in an attempt to get higher wages ‘she’d had a lot to say-far too much- so she had to go’., there we see the huge difference in the lives that each of them live, but it is the way that shelia changes as the play goes on and learns more about eva smith’s life., once shelia knows more about the family’s effect on eva’s life she becomes more defiant, and mature. she begins to stand up to her parents who still look down on eva. she realises that there is no need to treat a person the way that the birling family did, no matter whether it was the same girl or not ‘everything we said had happened really hadn’t happened. if it didn’t end tragically, then that’s lucky for us. but it might have done.’ she has a more compassionate approach to eva and her life as she learns about the suffering that this girl the same age as herself had to go through., priestly shows the importance of caring for others within your community by showing that if the birling’s had looked after eva smith and treated her with any respect then maybe it would have prevented her suicide, because she would have been in a lot happier state of mind. this also takes place near to every one of us. if you treat one person unacceptably then you never know what effect that may have on them and others around them, if you do your bit to treat every person with decency that you meet then you will have no regrets with what you have done., priestly also shows through shelia that she was the next generation, with the new ideas of how people of another class should be treated and how the other birling’s are still living in the old, traditional frame of mind, which is harsh and uncaring to others. whereas shelia would be a middle aged woman when priestly wrote the book, he wanted to show the difference of views between the younger and older generations of 1912., shelia birling and eva smith are very different characters, but it is the effect that they can have on each other’s lives which highlights priestley’s views about community., to what extent could you argue that mr birling is the most important character in an inspector calls , as the ‘head of the household’ mr birling is, arguably, the central character to an inspector calls. throughout the beginning of the play he displays the kind of arrogance that priestley expected to see from a selfish capitalist; throughout the exchange, he is completely unapologetic about the death of eva; and after the inspector leaves, he tries his hardest to get out of trouble. also, if you argued that an inspector calls is really a morality play, then you could see mr birling as representing the deadly sins of greed and pride, both things that priestly attacked capitalists for., at the beginning of the play, mr birling is described as “heavy looking” which immediately reminds us of a large, well fed, rich man, enjoying the luxuries of life. his “easy manners” but “provincial speech” remind us that although he is now rich (as symbolised by his knowledge of manners) he is from working class roots (provincial means from the country, or of a lower class.) mr birling is one of those men who had made money during the industrial revolution and, priestley argues, was then exploiting the working classes for his own profit., during the opening exchanges over dinner, birling shows off to gerald croft – his daughter’s new fiancé – by mentioning some rather expensive port he bought, and then gives a long and stuffy speech about how lucky his children are to be born into a time of such good fortune. throughout the speech priestley uses a lot of dramatic irony as he mentions birling’s belief that there would be no labour issues (despite the fact that the russian revolution was just five years away;) there would be no war in germany (despite two being on the horizon,) and – in a moment of comedy – that the titanic was “unsinkable.” throughout this speech, audience members are reminded of how little we know about the future, and how important it is that we prepare for the unexpected. birling is shown to be arrogant, small minded, and selfish; all features that a socialist like priestley would expect to see in a capitalist like birling., priestly times the inspector’s arrival so that he cuts birling off during one of his selfish rants: “a man has to mind his own business and look after himself,” he is saying as the doorbell rings. his initial response to the inspector is immediately defensive: he delivers a short speech detailing the members of the local police force that he knows, and the fact that he used to be mayor. the inspector seems uninterested though. throughout their exchange birling makes it clear that he feels no responsibility saying a number of times that he had nothing to do with this “wretched” girl’s death. the use of this adjective is interesting as “wretched” can mean poor or downtrodden, but it can also mean disliked and disgusting; birling, we have to assume, feels both are true. at one point he argues, perfectly summarising priestley’s feelings about the attitude of people like birling: “i can't accept any responsibility. if we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody we’d had anything to do with, it would be very awkward.”, during the remainder of the play, mr birling continues to reveal himself as being selfish and without regret. he is continually worried about the threat to his dreamt of knighthood and, when the chance arises, is even happy to direct all the blame at his young son, eric. he also tries to bribe the inspector, offering him “thousands” now it has all gone wrong, despite the fact that he wouldn’t pay her even a few shillings more at the time. throughout act 3, it is mr birling who leads the campaign to recognise the inspector as being a fraud and he is the most relieved when it turns out that there is no dead girl. however, unlike sheila, he isn’t relieved that no-one had died but is simply pleased to have saved his own hide., however, as the main character in the play mr birling receives both the opening and closing lines. in the end, it is him who is stuck, holding the phone and revealing that there is and “inspector on the way,” and in many ways it is him that the audience will be most pleased to see get his just deserts., what is the role of the inspector in an inspector calls , an inspector calls is a parable that was set during the belle époque (meaning the beautiful period) which lasted from 1870-1914. in the play, a family have their dinner party interrupted by an inspector who comes to visit. though this is a morality play in the traditional sense, its moral compass is very much set by the author’s belief in socialism ., the inspector arrives at a critical point. mr birling, the patriarch of his family, is delivering a lecture to his son and future son-in-law, about how “men must look after themselves…” in this way he is exposing his deep selfishness – one that priestly believed was at the heart of all capitalists. at this point there is a “sharp ring on the doorbell,” the adverb perhaps foreshadowing how the inspectors arrival will cut through the birlings’ veneer of respectability ., almost as soon as he arrives, mr birling reminds him of his own social standing – that he used to be mayor and has played golf with the chief inspector. the fact that mr birling is threatening the inspector is barely concealed , though the inspector brushes it aside. as a morality play, all the characters in an inspector calls represent something else - an ideal or social group or class. here, the birlings represent the wealthy and privileged elite while the inspector represents the newly educated middle classes, who would rise up and form a bridge between the elite and the working classes below them. the inspector, as becomes clear, is here to ensure that the birlings do not get away with how they treated eva smith., the inspector is described as giving an “impression of massiveness.” this is interesting as it makes it clear that he isn’t massive but should give that “impression.” as a direction this is a bit of a nightmare for a casting agent . he shouldn’t be big, but should have a gravitas that makes him seem huge. fortunately, however, priestley has written a part that gives every opportunity for moral superiority for an actor., also, from the moment he arrives the stage directions call for the lighting to change from “pink and intimate” – perhaps reflecting the rose - tinted spectacles through which the birlings view the world – and to something more “harsh.” perhaps this change is designed to highlight how the inspector’s arrival puts the birlings behaviour in the spotlight or exposes the lies they kept hidden in the shadows ., the first to fall to his inspection is mr birling, who sacked eva after she arranged for a strike amongst his workers while they demanded more pay. though birling admitted that she was a good worker, he clearly saw his profits threatened by her behaviour and made an example of her. mr birling’s children, however, do not share his selfishness and, as his son points out, “why shouldn’t they try for higher wages we try for bigger profits.” in many ways this quote exposes the selfish, unreasonable nature of capitalists : that they see their own right to desire more profits as god given , while those who resist are “troublemakers” and “cranks.”, after mr birling, the inspector turns to sheila, who had eva sacked from her job in a local department store. it is clear from the story – which sheila tells – that she was jealous of eva’s good looks. it is also clear, however, that sheila deeply regrets her actions. not long after this, mrs birling comments that sheila’s feelings have been changed and claims that the inspector has made an “impression” on her. this is a telling word – an “impression” is something that is the result of pressure, as though she’s been bullied into seeing things differently; but it is also something that often disappears over time. mrs birling’s feelings are clear: that the inspector’s ideas have affected sheila, but only fleetingly . the inspector replies dryly , acknowledging that he will often have an effect on the young. in many ways this reflects the old adage that young people are more socialist by nature, gradually turning to the more self-centred right as they grow. this is certainly the point that is being made by priestley, as the inspector affects the younger generation far more than their elders., after sheila, he turns to gerald who, again, reveals his own role in the death of eva. by this stage she is known as daisy renton – a name that perhaps reflects the fact her position: daisies are simple flowers that call to mind the innocence of daisy chains; while the appearance of “rent” in her name reminds us of what she did to her body in order to survive., the play continues to get darker as the inspector turns to mrs birling. under pressure she tells the inspector, and the audience, about how she turned away a young pregnant woman and that if the inspector was doing his job properly he should be chasing down the father. at this point, the audience know that she is talking about eric and are tensely waiting for the big reveal. in many respects it is also at this point that the audience is forced to reflect on the nature of this play: up until this moment, the action seems relatively realistic and, although the focus has been on only one character at any time, the focus has shifted around the room without any seeming construction . this time, however, the structure is too neat to be believed; it’s too well constructed to maintain the illusion of realism , and we know that we are watching a parable in which the inspector has an almost divine control over the action., after exposing the family’s “crimes” the inspector finally delivers his closing speech, which has all the hallmarks of a sermon that is delivered to the audience as much as it is to the family. in it, he reminds us of all the eva smiths and john smiths there are in the world, and that we are “one body.” here, the inspector is addressing both the audience in 1945 and the audience in 1912. the telling difference was the two world wars, during which the working classes proved themselves to be every bit as strong and resilient as their “social superiors.” the sense of national bonding that took place during the wars led to significant social changes in the uk, not least the creation of the nhs and the welfare state, and it was characters like the inspector (and priestley) who made sure this happened., his final warning, however, that “if we do not learn this lesson we will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish,” has a slightly different meaning in the two time periods. for the family in 1912 it was prophetic ; but for an audience in 1945 it would have been suggesting that the wars were almost a punishment for their behaviour, and a way of suggesting that if they didn’t embrace socialism now then the wars, and all the horrors that came with them, would return again., at the end of the play, the birlings receive a phone call which tells them that a real police inspector is on the way, to talk about a girl who has recently died. this final moment raises questions about the role of the inspector goole we’ve just watched, and it is at this point that his name seems important: is he a goole, or a ghoul, or something else from some other world is he some angelic messenger send to bring divine judgement that question is never answered, though the audience – or the young ones at least – should have no doubts that his understanding of the world is from a “higher” place., another essay on the role of the inspector in an inspector calls ., this essay's structure is as follows:, a summary paragraph, how the inspector is introduced, mr birling and the inspector – good for ao2, a “panic” paragraph – without quotes – that picks up on some key moments from the rest of the play – good for ao1, the inspector at the end, in the play an inspector calls, a police inspector brings judgement to a rich family who live in 1912. the play is a morality play, in which each of the characters represents a particular role or opinion. in this morality play, the inspector promotes a socialist understanding of the world in a way that reflects the views of the play’s author jb priestley., when the inspector arrives he cuts off mr birling’s lecture when he is saying that “ a man must look after himself and his family …” this interruption symbolises the way that inspector is going to stop mr birling’s views. also, it says that there is a “ sharp ring on the doorbell .” the word “ sharp ” suggests that the inspector will cut through mr birling’s selfish ideas. also, from the moment he arrives the stage directions call for the lighting to change from “ pink and intimate ” to something more “ harsh .” this is because the birlings see the world through as being nice and friendly while the inspector will bring a “ harsh ” judgement on them., in the play, the inspector works as a foil to mr birling’s selfish capitalism. at the beginning of the play, mr birling calls socialists “ cranks ” – which means crazy – and says that if we all listened to socialists we’d be like “ bees in a hive .” this remark criticises socialists as bees lack individuality, they work almost like a big machine, and only do what they’re told and mr birling doesn’t want the world to be like this. the inspector, however, believes that we are “ members of one body ” and that we are “ responsible for each other .” in this way, the inspector is talking about the socialist ideas which suggest that because we all live together we should look after each other. in fact, he goes on to suggest that if we don’t learn to do this we will “ taught it in fire and blood and anguish .” this is clearly a reference to the two world wars which were fought between the time the play was set and when it was written. it is also telling that mr birling didn’t think the wars would happen – he would probably have referred to that as being an idea from some kind of “ crank .”, at the beginning of the play mr birling threatens the inspector by saying that he plays golf with the chief inspector. the inspector, however, doesn’t care and carries on his investigation. throughout the play, the inspector acts like he doesn’t care about the characters social standings and only wants to focus on the facts. he is someone logical and he doesn’t care what people think of him. he just wants the truth about eva’s death. he also has a habit of looking “hard” at the person he is addressing. this is because he is inspecting them, almost as though he’s looking through them and into their soul., in the end the inspector leaves and we are left unsure as to whether he was real or not. however, because his name is inspector goole – which sounds similar to ghoul (which is a kind of spirit or ghost) – the audience would be within their rights to think of him as a kind of spiritual prophet or divine messenger., a third essay on the role of the inspector in an inspector calls , jb priestley uses the story of an inspector calls to contrast the differences between upper/upper-middle and working class people in society during the edwardian times. the inspector questions the birling family to think about the consequences of their actions on others – predominately the working class and people whom they believe to be inferior to them. priestley uses the inspector to make society question their morals and think about accepting responsibility for their actions. each character reacts differently to the inspector and priestley uses this to represent capitalist vs socialist ideals., - nice opening – clear and specific and leaves the examiner comfortable that you know what you’re doing. may be a bit long – though it is all meaningful, when the inspector enters the birling household, the stage directions states that the lights change from ‘pink and intimate’ to ‘brighter and harder’. this shows how the presence of the inspector changes the atmosphere and how he is here for a purpose. the lighting change from ‘pink and intimate’ to ‘brighter and harder’ almost shows how the inspector is going to burst the birling’s protected, capitalist bubble. the idea of the lights being ‘brighter and harder’ create the idea of a spotlight shining on the birling family and how the inspector is there to expose them to the truth. in the stage directions, it also says that the inspector ‘creates an impression of massiveness’. this shows that although the birling’s are superior to him in class, the inspector still holds the authority over them all. it could also be foreshadowing that the inspector is going to create a lasting ‘impression’ over the birling family and impact their lives hopefully for the better., - super cool lots of detail, specific things being said and focusing on sections of the text. this is what you want to do, in act one, mr birling makes several threats to the inspector about his connections with the chief constable. this shows how mr birling feels threatened and uncomfortable with the inspectors presence. he tries to assert his authority over the inspector to protect himself and his pride as he’s being questioned by someone who is inferior to himself. he doesn’t want to damage his reputation and all he is thinking about is himself. this represents the capitalist society and how they refuse to think of any but themselves and how they will go to any measure to protect their reputation. mr birling also tries to emphasise his importance to the inspector by mentioning gerald and his family name. he says, “perhaps i ought to explain first that this is mr gerald croft – the son of sir george croft – you know, crofts limited.” by mentioning gerald’s family name, it shows how mr birling is trying to intimidate the inspector. also, mr birling could be mentioning the croft name to try to make himself feel more in control of the situation and back in the superior position in the room. priestley uses the reaction of mr birling to the inspector to represent how people of the upper capitalist class use their positions of power as an excuse to be ignorant to their actions. priestley wanted make people aware of this to questions their own ignorance., - again, this is great. you show a clear understanding of the relationship between birling and the inspector and clearly explain the power dynamic in the room, at the end of the play, the inspector makes a big final speech to the birling family. it opens with a reminder that there are thousands of “john smiths and eva smiths” in the world. this reminds the audience that we all have to accept responsibility for our actions and realise it is not enough to only think of ourselves but we must think of others as well. the inspector then goes on to say that “we don't live alone. we are members of one body. we are responsible for each other.” these three concise sentences summarise the lesson priestley was trying to convey to the audience. by keeping the sentences short but powerful, it leaves a lasting impression on the birling family but more importantly, the audience. this links to the beginning stage direction of the inspector creating an ‘impression of massiveness’. he then warns the family (and audience) that if ‘men don’t soon learn their lesson they will be taught in fire and blood and anguish’. this is a reference to the many years of war that had taken place between when the play was set and when it was performed. it could be seen to be served as a warning to the people that they need to change their actions or history will repeat itself., - really good as well. you’ve focused in on specific techniques here and shown a clear understanding of how those techniques have effects., overall, this is a very good essay – it’s got a wide range of detailed quotes, points and pieces of analysis. it could be improved with a few moments where you zoom in on specific words and explore the meaning of them – think about mr birling saying he “can’t” take responsibility, or mrs birling saying she “won’t” take responsibility and the inspector saying “we are responsible.” this kind of link will push this essay up into the 8-9 category., what is the significance of the ending in an inspector calls , in effect, ‘an inspector calls’ has arguably three endings, or climaxes. the first is the final speech of the inspector, before he exits dramatically, walking ‘straight out’. the second is as the family think it all may have been a ‘fake’. the third represents the justice in the final words of the play., priestly ensures that the inspector says little in the way of moral judgment until just before he exits. this in itself increases dramatic tension – the audience is waiting for a confrontation which is dependent on all the facts of the story finally emerging. his final speech is based on the great moral authority he has gained through the entirety of the play and is in a sense cathartic. as an ‘inspector’, he is symbolic of the moral and legal authority of the police force. ‘inspecting’ carries the idea of sifting carefully though the actions of the birlings in a detailed and objective manner. priestley adds objectivity and legal precision to the inspector’s character; thus by the climax of his investigation, we, the audience, instinctively trust his moral conclusions also. there is a sense of relief in hearing the birlings finally being condemned for their actions., the inspector’s final speech is, in tone, almost a sermon. the frequent use of blunt, short diction is combined with imperatives which make him seem almost a preacher or a prophetic figure, as he tells the birlings to “remember this”, and tells them that “we are responsible for each other.” although he uses often the first person plural to emphasise their common humanity, he is also accusatory with his use of ‘you’ as he threatens them with what will come if they fail to learn this lesson. the imagery priestley draw from is biblical by nature. from the eucharist service, the inspector uses the biblical metaphor that we are all “members of one body”. the well-known nature of this metaphor makes it seemingly self-evidently true to the audience. the apocalyptic imagery that follows is equally well-known, as the inspector promises “fire and blood and anguish”. the tricolon is heavily emphatic and emotive – the birlings’ rejection of it, which follows swiftly, creates a further sense of their moral vacuity. this sermonic end to the inspector’s presence onstage makes him seem a didactic mouthpiece for the play – he speaks in effect as much to the audience as to the birlings. although it is a relatively brief and restrained speech, nonetheless it is a powerful end – it seems – to the drama., birling’s absence of moral epiphany is enacted in the second ‘ending’ of the play in the ‘huge sigh of relief’ he emits when he discovers that the inspector is not actually from the police station. he rejects the inspector’s final words through this stage direction which creates a dramatic hyperbole that it is impossible for the audience to miss. eva smith’s name suggests that she represents all of the ordinary humanity, eva suggesting eve of genesis, symbolically the mother of humanity, and smith being a stereotypical working-class surname. thus birling’s ‘huge’ indifference is, symbolically, to the suffering of any human being, particularly those who are his socially inferior. indeed, his estimations of people’s worth have been entirely based on their money or their social connections; early on in the play he attempts at first to threaten the inspector by explicitly ‘warning him that the chief constable, colonel roberts, is an ‘old friend’ of his. birling’s ‘relief’ therefore is that his place in society is not damaged after all – even though it is based on corruption and inhumanity towards whose who are weaker and more socially vulnerable than him. thus birling has learned nothing at all in the play., further, birling is ‘triumphant’ when he decides that the story is nothing more than ‘moonshine’. ‘triumph’ suggests victory and winning – birling’s delight is based on his perception that he will not be in any way held to account for his misdeeds. ‘moonshine’ is a dismissive colloquialism – priestley uses this to emphasise that there is no emotional impact whatsoever on birling for the suffering of eva smith and those whom she represents. this is accentuated by mrs birling’s suggestion that in the morning eric and sheila will be as ‘amused’ as they are. the tragedy of what happened to eva through her circumstances and through the undeserved actions of others is in effect diminished to a joke. priestley ensures that this anticlimactic interpretation of the play’s events by mrs birling is morally repugnant to the audience. the older birlings and gerald are villainesque, antagonistic figures., sheila is partly redeemed from the birling’s self-seeking immorality. sheila’s response to birling’s ‘relief’ is to accuse him of ‘pretending’ that all is well. this accusation of play-acting creates an ironic role-reversal, as though birling is the one childishly refusing to engage with reality, and she becomes the parent-figure who rebukes him for his immaturity. this childishness is not an indication of birling’s innocence, but of his lack of responsibility. sheila is the youthful one in the conversation, but she is the one who is vulnerable to the corruption of her parents, and she lacks meaningful power. partly also because of her gender, she is, like eva, the victim of birling’s philosophy of greed – and yet the awakening of her moral awareness is presented as a coming-of-age epiphany. she learns to reject the selfishness and inhumanity of her parents as she realises that all the working-class are intrinsically human beings. she absorbs the relatively complex moral didacticism the inspector represents with regards to the interconnectedness of human society. this is particularly shown by her quoting the exact words of the inspector’s apocalyptic list of consequences if the rich fail to heed the social situation: she quotes his words of ‘fire and blood and anguish’. although she shows no explicit awareness of the social apocalypse of which the inspector warns, she recalls what ‘he made me feel’. her emotional engagement is presented in ironic juxtaposition with her parents’ emotional disengagement. priestley redeems her partly to show the morally repugnant nature of the birlings’ lack of redemption, through juxtaposing their response with hers., the unrepentant birlings are presented by priestley as grotesque not only through their failure to realise their wrong-doing, but also, and more importantly in their seeking of moral superiority over eva smith and the workers she represents. the callous self-righteousness they exhibit is best portrayed in mrs birling’s rhetorical question, ‘why shouldn’t we’ when sheila asks how they possibly can continue as they were before. the fact she considers the question to need no actual answer indicates her moral blindness – it indicates her assumption that the rightr of the powerful to abuse the poor is irrefutable and self-evident. priestley, through the drama, shows how society creates moral indifference to the working-class., the superficiality is also epitomised in gerald’s statement that ‘everything is all right now.’ this bland cliché becomes ironically extremely emotive for the audience as we know that the lack of a moral compass for the birlings and gerald means that others will be treated just as eva was. the superficiality of this analysis has great dramatic power to repulse the audience – and perhaps to begin to effect the social change priestley desired., the third and final ‘ending’ is mysterious. at one level, it satisfies the audience’s hope that there will be justice for eva. by instructing the actors to look ‘guiltily’ around, priestly ensures that the moral indifference of the second ending is not the concluding note of the play. birling speaking on the phone when the person has ‘rung off’ indicates also that his social authority is over; creating the sense that there is justice has lost what he really cared about. the inspector’s semi-comical surname, ‘goole’ also seems relevant right at the play’s climax. there is the suggestion that he did indeed in some way represent supernatural forces intervening in the birlings’ lives to bring justice for eva. however, the play by its nature ends inconclusively. in effect, we are left on a cliffhanger wondering what the ‘real’ police inspector will do. perhaps this reflects priestley’s aim for the audience to think about the play’s social message. the ending of ‘an inspector calls’ is a strong statement of the responsibility of those who seek money and social rank at the expense of humanity. it is strongly didactic and powerful., check this essay.

There are drastic differences that are seen in people who are born in different generations. One may argue that the younger generations are more impressionable and naive while the older generations are very hardheaded and assertive. By creating characters like Sheila and Eric with a large age gap between Mr. and Mrs. Birling in the play An Inspector Calls, tension is created through their differences clashing. J.B. Priestley’s use of contrasting characterization within the Birling family in the play An Inspector Calls creates tension and communicates his theme that one must take into consideration the consequences of their actions and take responsibility for them.

The Birling’s children, Erica and Sheila, are presumed to be very naive and still listening and agreeing with their parent’s words due to their ages. Yet, thought the play both Eric and Sheila prove to be mentally mature and responsible while directly reflect the inspector’s message. Eric Birling was caught up in the complicated situation relating to the death of Eva Smith through his role in impregnating her. Although he is ashamed, he steps up to the plate and confesses his actions and even admits to the fact that “I wasn’t in love with her or anything”, yet he understands that his actions did produce consequences and he takes responsibility for them. He insists on giving her enough money to keep her going, even though it included stealing money from his father (Priestley 50). This action was done unjustly, yet it shows how determined Eric was in order to fix his mistake and take responsibility for his actions- exactly what the Inspector teaches. Sheila Birling, the sister of Eric, also starts out by admitting to her role in the death of Eva. She expresses her sorrow and regret for her actions stating how “It was my own fault… and if I could help her now, I would” right away (24-25). Even though she did not take action like Eric did, she still takes responsibility for her actions and shows that she really does care about the consequences she was unable to attend to. As the play continues and everyone finds out that inspector Goole was a fake, the parents of Sheila and Eric both start to downplay the events of that evening. Suddenly the tension starts to rise as soon as the children speak directly against their parents stating “if you must know it’s you two who are being childish” (55). Sheila is so disgusted by the actions of her parents, that her character takes an unpredictable turn and she evolves into a brave young woman annoyed enough to scold her own parents. Even Eric states directly to his parents that “well, I don’t blame you. But don’t forget i’m ashamed of you as well. Yes- both of you” (54). The characters Sheila and Eric create tension in the play through their differences regarding their view on taking responsibility that contrasts greatly with their parents. The fact that the younger generation is standing up to the older generation and doing unconventional actions like scolding them, the main theme of the novel is clearly represented.

The older generation in the Birling family consists of strong characters: unlikely to sway in their ideas easily, hard headed, and arrogant. Arthur too is confronted about his dealings with Eva Smith, but immediately states that “the girl has been causing trouble in the works. I was quite justified (19). Here, he is seemingly ok knowing that she was forced to kill herself all because of something that started out with him originally and a sign of regret is not to be found. The younger generation, prominently Sheila is verbally pointing out her contrasting viewpoint directly saying (to Mr. Birling) “I think it was a mean thing to do” (21). Tension is created as a result of her comment, but in a way she forces her father to re-examine at his actions by him hearing an opposite viewpoint and internally contemplate her and the Inspector’s message. Another situation that increases the tension overall is when Sheila hears her father describe Eva as cheap labour, and automatically she jumps in stating “but these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people” clearly showcasing the differences in the mindset of the two generations (19). Lastly, Mrs. Birling gets confronted with her mistake and does admit to her actions. Her arrogance shows through when she plainly lays out her thoughts to the inspector that “if you think you can bring any pressure to bear upon me, Inspector, you’re quite mistaken. Unlike the other three, I did nothing I’m ashamed of or that won’t bear investigation… You have no power to change my mind” and like Mr. Birling does not have a hint of regret in her (44). Sybil Birling is blinded to the problems within her household and herself, and therefore tension is created when she directly contradicts the viewpoints of her children. The theme of the play is brought out because of this, when the children start to argue their point about accepting responsibility for their actions’ consequences.

Through tension between the characters, the main theme that we don’t live alone, are members of one body, and are responsible for each other is revealed. Sadly for this to be revealed, tension is built greatly dividing the Birling family- the younger vs the older generation. The children desperately try to get their parents to accept what they believe is the inspector’s lesson and purpose for visiting, yet Arthur and Sybil are set on the idea that they are just “the famous younger generation who know it all. And they can’t even take a joke” (72). Although it may be true that the inspector is not real and the older generation will never learn, the main theme is being communicated successfully to the audience. By looking at Mr. and Mrs. Birling and the way they instigate an attack on themselves by their children, the audience feels disgusted by them and the theme reaches the audience.

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Eric Birling Essay Plan (An Inspector Calls)

Subject: English

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Assessment and revision

Last updated

25 June 2022

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A plan for a GCSE English Literature exam on the character of Eric Birling from An Inspector Calls. Includes a suggested introduction and conclusion, introductory sentences for each point and quotes with high level annotations. Was Created for the WJEC, eduqas exam board however the content is applicable to most exam boards such as AQA and OCR.

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These resources are essay plans for all the characters in the play An Inspector Calls and the theme of Generation. They are created in line with GCSE Literature exams ; originally for WJEC but are applicable to other exam boards also. Each essay plan has a suggested introduction and conclusion, introductory sentence for each point, quotes to back up theses ideas and high level annotations.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Plays — An Inspector Calls

Essays on An Inspector Calls

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Analysis of How Eric is Presented in an Inspector Calls

Defining the character of the inspector in an inspector calls, how sheila is presented in an inspector calls, analysis of how gerald is presented in an inspector calls, let us write you an essay from scratch.

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Older Vs Younger Generation in an Inspector Calls

Portrayal of the abuse of authority in j.b. priestley's play an inspector calls, the role played by the characters sheila and eric in an inspector call, the role and function of the inspector in an inspector calls, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

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Responsibility of Characters in 'An Inspector Calls'

Comparison of the characters of mr birling and the inspector in an inspector calls, the character of eric birling in the inspector calls by j.b. priestley, mr. birling and inspector goole as polar opposites in an inspector calls, analysis of inspector goole’s character in an inspector calls, an analysis of how the society is interconnected in an inspector calls, an inspector calls: the theme of surprising sympathy as shown by eric and his audience, an inspector calls report, development of eric birling character in 'an inspector calls', how is responsibility shown in 'an inspector calls': analysis of the inspector and mr birling, how is social responsibility shown in 'an inspector calls', exploring generational conflict in "an inspector calls", how guilt is presented in "an inspector calls", mr. birling in "an inspector calls": a character analysis.

6 July 1945, J. B. Priestley

The play is a three-act drama which takes place on a single night in April 1912, focusing on the prosperous upper middle-class Birling family,[ who live in a comfortable home in the fictional town of Brumley, "an industrial city in the north Midlands". The family is visited by a man calling himself Inspector Goole, who questions the family about the suicide of a young working-class woman in her mid-twenties.

The major theme of “An Inspector Calls” is social responsibility of a man living in the society in which he is expected to follow the basic principles of social living. Other major themes include guilt, gender, class conflict, cause and effect, poverty and exploitation.

The methods that Priestley uses to interest and involve the audience is by using various dramatic techniques such as dramatic irony, cliff hangers, lighting and setting. He uses all his techniques to show his message and make sure the audience understand it. They also create tension. The dialogue is believable and fast moving and the play is structured so that each act grabs the audience's attention.

Inspector Goole, Edna, Arthur Birling, Sybil Birling, Sheila Birling, Eric Birling, Gerald Croft

An Inspector Calls is one of Priestley's best-known works for the stage and is considered to be one of the classics of mid-20th century English theatre. The play's success and reputation were boosted by a successful revival by English director Stephen Daldry for the National Theatre in 1992 and a tour of the UK in 2011–2012. The play is studied in many British schools as one of the prescribed texts for the English Literature GCSE.

“It’s better to ask for the earth than to take it” “We have to share something. If there’s nothing else, we’ll have to share our guilt” “Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges”

1. Samantrai, R. (2017). Sermon and Spectacle: JB Priestley’s An Inspector Calls. Modern Drama, 60(2), 212-230. (https://www.utpjournals.press/doi/abs/10.3138/MD.0842?journalCode=md) 2. Gale, M. B. (2014). An Inspector Calls and Calls Again: Nation, Community and the Individual in JB Priestley’s Play. In Theatre and National Identity (pp. 96-112). Routledge. 9https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780203366219-8/inspector-calls-calls-maggie-gale) 3. Williams, R. (2017). An Inspector Calls by JB Priestley: An introduction. Teaching Drama, 2016(72), 1-1. (https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/DT.2017.72.GCSE?journalCode=tedr) 4. Barnett, D. (2022). “The Point Is, You Don’t Seem to Have Learnt Anything”: Reimagining JB Priestley’s An Inspector Calls as a Brechtian Lehrstück for the Middle Classes. Modern Drama, 65(3), 381-405. (https://moderndrama.utpjournals.press/doi/abs/10.3138/md-65-3-1217) 5. Brown, C. (2012). An inspector calls. The School Librarian, 60(2), 112. (https://www.proquest.com/docview/1024830734?pq-origsite=gscholar&fromopenview=true) 6. Doak, J. (2009). An inspector calls: Looking at retail development through a sustainability lens. Journal of Retail & Leisure Property, 8, 299-309. (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1057/rlp.2009.17) 7. Konkle, L. (2008). JB Priestley. Modern Drama, 51(4), 620-622. (https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/50/article/259357/summary) 8. Lesser, W. (1994). Inspection. (https://www.jstor.org/stable/4384357)

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An Inspector Calls Essay, Marked by Me

Question: How does Priestley present selfishness and its effects in An Inspector Calls?

Here is the essay presented as explanations. An explanation as anything that deals with Priestley’s ideas.

In the morality play 'An Inspector Calls', Priestley presents selfishness and its effects through the seven deadly sins.

He uses the Birling family as a CONSTRUCT…

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