“An Inspector calls” is a play which carries the message of responsibility. It is also called a morality-play. This refers to characters who embody a moral quality. Priestly shows the importance to be responsible with his characters. Each character demonstrates how they manage responsibility. The play’s characters also show how different people view society and how they learn to manage their involvement in Eva Smiths death. This also connects to the didactic message in play. The didactic message’s purpose is to instruct readers about morality. Priestly tries to show his readers how important it is to take responsibility for their daily lives and what responsibility means to them. Priestly believes that humans are one big family and should be able to share responsibility without being divided. This is something he tries to convey throughout the play. His socialist views are easily recalled throughout the entire play, including the storyline and the characters. Inspector Goole further consolidates his views. He is perceived to be a outspoken socialist and acts as Priestley’s mouthpiece.
The play’s least favorite character is probably Mr. Birling. His pomposity as well as arrogance speak louder then his words. Birling is unable to take any responsibility during the entire play. Birling denies the idea that responsibility is a concept. The evidence shows that Birling is not interested in anything that affects him, his reputation or concerns him. It also shows how selfish he is. Priestley used the rhetorical question as a way to demonstrate how Birling believes that the answer is obvious. It also shows that Birling thinks it is absurd and “awkward to” accept responsibility. This is the society that has difficulty understanding responsibility. Birling’s quote emphasized his belief that it is futile and unnecessary to take responsibility. This would create unnecessary tension. Most readers would agree that “awkward” does not mean you should ignore or take blame. Birling’s capitalist views continue to be painfully evident throughout the play. He is a man of immense self-pride, ignorance, and ego. Birling’s ineptness about responsibility further increases his dislike among the audience. Birling mentions it in Act 1. Birling mentions this in Act 1. Birling is a firm believer in responsibility, just like her husband. Birling realized her part in Eva Smith’s suicide and decided she was not responsible. She blames her father for the death of Eva Smith.
“Secondly, the young man who was to have the child was to blame… If the death of the girl is due any one, then it is due him.” This is yet another common theme in the Birlings older generations. Sybil uses “if” to indicate that no one should be held responsible for the girl’s suicide. However, it is not appropriate to point fingers at her. Sybil continues to question Eva’s suicide. Priestly has used “if” in Act 2, where she has begun to hint at Eric’s involvement. Ironically, she blames her son for her suicide. But when she discovers that it is true, she refuses to believe that Eric is incapable of doing so because he is her son. The tension is increased when Mrs. Birling becomes more agitated. Mrs. Birling is referring to her frustration at people disagreeing with her views. This is a clear indication of her character. She is a cold person who cares about people’s approval. Birling doesn’t want her name associated with this scandal. She wants people to have the same image as her. She is a well-known, wealthy woman and a member of Women’s Charity Organisation. Fear of public scandal leads Mrs. Birling to dismiss the idea that she should take responsibility for Eva Smith’s death and her grandchild’s subsequent deaths.
Sheila at first appears to be a young, materialistic, childlike woman. But, she develops throughout the play. After realizing her mistakes, Sheila is the character who defends Eva Smith and the working-class by declaring “they’re no cheap labour, they are people”. This statement contrasts her father’s capitalismist propositions which state that the working-class are simply labourers that don’t have much to do with their time or money. This is the moment when once-naive Sheila Birling couldn’t create her own beliefs or concepts and followed capitalists, and now she will stand up to the working classes by not seeing any divide regardless of socioeconomic status. Sheila starts to feel remorseful and regret when she says this quote. Then, her socialist ideas start to emerge. Priestley uses Sheila’s example to illustrate that we can learn and change. Priestley also uses Sheila in order to demonstrate that, regardless of past beliefs or actions, we still have the ability to take responsibility. We see Sheila being strong and willing to take responsibility for the actions she took. Priestley uses Sheila as a model to demonstrate that change is possible. While we should all be able and capable of creating our own ideas, society’s pressures may make us believe something else. Sheila demonstrates that each person has a voice and should speak out for their beliefs, no matter what the opinions of others.
Eric Birling is another character who shows social responsibility after the death Eva Smith. Eric Birling’s Act 3 shows that Eric takes responsibility for the actions he has taken. When he understands his actions, he shows remorseful and guilt. Eric shows authority by saying that he doesn’t think it is a big deal when a girl commits suicide. While you may all be laughing, I cannot. Mother can’t either. Eric recognizes that Sheila is not the only one who contributed to Eric’s contribution. They don’t get that they played a role in the death of Sheila, even though she wasn’t physically present. Eric using the expression “You lot” is informal especially at this time. Eric’s use of informal language reveals his dismay at the situation. The play also shows Eric’s drunken, squiffy side. In Act 3, Eric himself gives us a clear example of this side. It is evident how Eric has grown and how he has maintained a facade in front his parents. But he loses that façade once he learns their real colours. Eric emphasizes his points with short sentences. Eric has also begun to speak for himself, juxtaposing the views of his father and mother. In this instance, Eric isn’t able to find humor. Eric Birling can accept that he was responsible for Daisy’s death. Even when we do wrong, there are always opportunities to learn from our mistakes and make amends.
Priestley uses The Inspector’s final words as a way to make sure the audience gets the message about social responsibility. Priestly used Act 3 as the place to put the quote, so that the audience would walk out of the theatre reciting the Inspectors words. His speech states that “We don’t exist alone.” We all belong to the same body. We all have a responsibility for one another. I can assure you that they will learn this lesson soon. The noun brings together the audience. We all have to be responsible and realize that ‘we can’t live in isolation’. This means we must work together, regardless of our attempts to avoid it. Priestley’s socialist ideas are directly connected to Priestley’s notion of “one body.” To be at our best, all members of society must function to their fullest potential. Priestly uses words that could be connotated with hell to describe Priestly’s concept of “one Body”. If we don’t accept the responsibility society has, and are not willing to take it on board, the earth will become a living hell in the future. The audience is scared by the use of frightening adjectives because they know that failing to take responsibility will result in a society plagued for the future. This speech is a perfect example of dramatic irony and foreshadowing. Inspector Goole predicts an outbreak of conflict between people. It will cause a war which will last ten year and end in blood, fire and anguish (WW I, WWII). The atrocities of wars will be experienced by a 1945 audience. The audience would have felt moved by this as it would have made it possible to stop the terrible wars. Inspector Goole said that the chaos caused by war could be avoided if everyone realized they are part of a group and don’t need to bring about a reckoning for innocent lives.
From the beginning, the characters take on and then decline to accept responsibility for Eva Smith’s suicide. Priestley wants to remind the audience that even though the story, characters and play are fictional, it does occur every day and is real. It is up to us all to make sure that future tragedies don’t happen again. We can reduce the number of disasters by holding ourselves responsible for any situations that we have contributed to. Priestley hoped the play conveyed his message to the audience.
