An Inspector Calls

An Inspector Calls

Although the play an “Inspector Calls” by J.B. Priestley, takes the form of a

“Whodunit”, it gradually becomes clear that there is an underlying serious issue. The play examines social responsibility, with the Birling family and Gerald Croft being questioned about the suicide of Eva Smith.

When the inspector arrives at the Birling estate uninvited he suspects the family of being some way involved in the events leading up to the death of Eva Smith. The Inspector describes Eva Smith as ”A young woman…. A bit out of the ordinary…” As the story unfolded my feelings of sympathy for Eva grew stronger and stronger. This is surprising as she does not appear in the play and is in fact dead before the play begins.

The Inspector starts his inquiry by questioning Mr. Birling who is the owner of a large company, which employs several hundred young girls. Mr. Birling describes Eva who was one of his employees as “a lively good-looking girl-country bred” he continues to say that she had been working for the company for over a year and that she was an excellent worker. Mr. Birling describes Eva and some of her work colleagues as being “rather restless” after the summer vacation; this resulted in them demanding a pay rise of an increase from twenty-two and six to twenty five shillings a week. Mr. Birling dismissed this completely, which resulted in the workers going on strike. Mr. Birling took action and sacked the ringleaders, Eva Smith being one of them. At this point I did not feel any sympathy for Eva as I felt she had brought these problems on herself. Mr. Birling was right to take the action, which he did. This was the start of a down ward spiral for Eva Smith.

Eva’s fortunes changed, however, as in a couple of months she found herself a new job at the large department store, Milwards. Eva was delighted with her new job which made her the happiest she had been in a long time. “She was among pretty clothes.” The Inspectors line of inquiry turned to Mr. Birling’s daughter, Sheila. He wanted to try and establish her involvement in the death of Eva Smith. Sheila used Milwards store regularly. Sheila was out shopping for the perfect dress. After many fruitless visits to other stores Sheila finally decided to try Milwards. She demanded to try a particular dress on, against her mother’s advice. After trying it on she realized to her horror that ...

... middle of paper ...

...ney he had already given her was stolen and she did not want any more of his money. Mrs. Birling said this was terrible and a public example should be made of him.

At this point Eric Birling walked in the door he looked around and said, “You know, don’t you?” Eric then continues to explain that one night in the Palace bar he got talking to Eva, he then walked her home to her lodgings and after a fuss he went in with her. After two weeks they met up again. It was not planned but again they went home to her house. At their next meeting she told him she was pregnant. He supported her with money, which totalled about

50 pounds. When asked where he got this money, he explained that he had stolen it from his father’s office.

Through out the play my feelings for Eva grew and by the end I really felt for her. The Birling family had contributed to Eva losing her two jobs, she had two failed relationships when put like this you begin to see why she needed help and when this was refused you can begin to see why she wanted to end her life. I feel that the whole family contributed to her death, which makes me, feel great sympathy for Eva.