“An Inspector Calls”, is a play written by JB Priestley in 1945. It is a thought-provoking play that explores the issues of accepting responsibility. The play is centered on a wealthy family in the upper class, who refuse to accept their involvement in Eva Smiths death. Using the Inspector as a mouthpiece, Priestley is able to discredit the capitalist views of the audience and Mr. Birling. Through the characters of Mr. and Mrs. Birling, Priestley shows how the class that a person belongs to or the status of a person cannot save you when it comes to accepting responsibility. Both Mr. and Mrs. Birling remained ignorant and selfish till the very end, which is emphasized by their “dumbfounded” faces when the curtain falls for the last time.
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Birling almost immediately starts shouting at Eric, “you’re the one I blame… public scandal”. This shows how Mr. Birling cannot accept his part in Eva Smiths death, so he finds easier to blame someone else for his problems. The phrase, “public scandal”, is repeated a few times over the next pages, by Mr. Birling, showing how Mr. Birling’s priorities are more focused on trying to minimize the damage that his reputation and business are going to suffer. This emphasizes how Mr. Birling has not learnt his lesson, and how he will continue to be selfish and obstinate. He is more focused on himself and his knighthood, “I was almost certain for a knighthood”. The lack of emphasis in this sentence implies that Mr. Birling said this to himself, indicating to the audience that he cares more about himself than the fact that his son had almost assaulted a woman. Mr. Birling tries to change the topic, in hope that he can avoid having to accept the consequences of his actions. Instead, he lets his anger out on Eric for stealing money from his business, “every penny…. Is repaid, … you’ll work for nothing”, Mr. Birling’s aggressive tone reiterates the fact that Mr. Birling cares more about his business than helping his son. He completely disregards Eric’s intentions and instead treats him like a
Birling almost immediately starts shouting at Eric, “you’re the one I blame… public scandal”. This shows how Mr. Birling cannot accept his part in Eva Smiths death, so he finds easier to blame someone else for his problems. The phrase, “public scandal”, is repeated a few times over the next pages, by Mr. Birling, showing how Mr. Birling’s priorities are more focused on trying to minimize the damage that his reputation and business are going to suffer. This emphasizes how Mr. Birling has not learnt his lesson, and how he will continue to be selfish and obstinate. He is more focused on himself and his knighthood, “I was almost certain for a knighthood”. The lack of emphasis in this sentence implies that Mr. Birling said this to himself, indicating to the audience that he cares more about himself than the fact that his son had almost assaulted a woman. Mr. Birling tries to change the topic, in hope that he can avoid having to accept the consequences of his actions. Instead, he lets his anger out on Eric for stealing money from his business, “every penny…. Is repaid, … you’ll work for nothing”, Mr. Birling’s aggressive tone reiterates the fact that Mr. Birling cares more about his business than helping his son. He completely disregards Eric’s intentions and instead treats him like a