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“An Inspector Calls” By J.B Priestly


J.B Priestley’s play “An Inspector Calls” has as its main theme, social responsibility. The message of the play is developed through the behaviour of the characters. Two contrasting characters are Sheila and Arthur Birling. Sheila has learned to accept responsibility for her actions whereas Arthur refuses to care. The playwright makes the reader feel sympathy for Sheila because he makes her a more likeable character.
The play begins with the family celebrating Sheila and Gerald’s engagement. Their party is then ruined by a visit from an Inspector Goole who is investigating the suicide of a young girl named Eva Smith. During his stay, the family all reveal their involvements with Eva and arguments arise. It transpires that Eva was sacked, pregnant, abandoned and was refused help. In the end, after the inspector’s departure, it is discovered that Inspector Goole was not actually a real police inspector. After then receiving a phone call informing them that an inspector was on his way, the Birling’s are left completely puzzled.
J.B Priestley’s purpose in writing the play is to show the importance of social responsibility. He achieves his purpose through his characters and makes us feel more sympathetic for some and critical of others. It could be argued that this play is aimed at the upper-class to teach them to treat others as equals. However it is also aimed at ourselves, to make us more aware of our actions. It challenges us to think about our own behaviour and whether we treat others with respect.
A character who learned about social responsibility was Sheila Birling. During the inspector’s stay, Sheila feels so bad about the news of Eva’s death. Sheila felt that sacking Eva was a horrible thing to do:
“I think it’s a mean thing to do….its a rotten shame”
When she is told of her involvement in Eva’s death, Sheila cries and runs out the room. After a...