'An Inspector Calls' and Responsibility

Sheila represents envy, one of the seven deadly sins, she becomes jealous of how a dress looks on Eva. This jealousy and 'silly-misunderstanding' that "Eva was laughing at her" partly led to Eva's downfall when she chose to fire her.

Eric when he forces himself on Eva.

eric eventually realises what he did was wrong. this is because eva had killed herself and he felt guilty, but eric never actually took responsibility for his actions. he felt bad about raping eva but that's because the guilt overwhelmed him as it factors in the reason she killed herself but he never takes responsibility. he pushes the blame onto his mother as she didnt give eva any money for her pregnancy even though shes only pregnant because HE RAPED HER! he starts changing his views when he realises he's in the wrong and starts expressing sorrow but never actually took responsibility for her death. he started talking to eva the next time he saw her and started liking her - he even stole money from his dad's business for her. but he doesn't take the fact that he rapes her that seriously, instead he focuses more on the fact that she's pregnant with his child. all his actions, views, whatever all have to involve him as he is a spoilt, self-absorbed, arrogant man-child who doesn't care about how his actions affect others.

priestley uses eric to represent the men at the time. he uses the character to show that actions have long term consequences (rape - pregnancy - child). he may also use eric's character to show how, even if you change your views and the way you act, it doesn't really matter unless you take responsibility for any past actions - especially ones that affect others. it also shows how passing the blame and responsibility doesn't make your actions any better or cancel out the fact that you are the person to blame.

Social Responsibility

In the play Priestley presents the concept of 'Social Responsibility' meaning every has responsibility for each other in society.

'...as if we were all mixed up like bees in a hive' - Mr Birling

Mr Birling does not abide by the idea of 'Social Responsibility' and continues to live by his capitalistic views throughout the play.

'The Domino Effect'

The domino effect refers to when events in time have a ricocheting effect on the future.

The Birling's had an domino effect on Eva to where she ends her life.

When Mrs Birling states the father of Eva's child is to blame

When Mr Biring kicks Eva out of his works

When Sheila gets Eva fired

Sheila seems to be the only Birling who views her actions as wrong, she is the fastest person to take responsibility in the play. Although this, she doesn't seem to take all the blame.

AO3

'I know I'm to blame - and I'm desperately sorry - but I can't believe - I won't believe.' - Sheila

In 1912 there were very rigid class systems which did not interact with each other, it was marked with a huge degree of inequality between richest and poorest.

Labour Strikes

Suffragettes

Women began fighting for their rights

Prostitution

During 1912 the Prostitution crisis was a huge problem, desperate, young women under poverty were forced into sex work in order to support their lives.

Prostitutes were very shamed upon at this time, as virginity was praised instead.

Sheila abuses her power out of spite, without any consideration of the circumstances, this was extremely selfish.

'Go look for the father of the child. It's his responsibility.'

This statement highlights Mrs Birling's refusal to care for anyone other than herself. It was her and her family's fault why Eva was in her situation, yet she fails to see how she could have been responsible.

Establishes Mrs Birling's view that classes shouldn't mix and aid each other.

Irony

Her point is deemed counterintuitive as the father of Eva's child was Eric. We can only assume she wouldn't say such a thing if she had the knowledge that the 'father of the child' was her own son.

Shows she has a lack of care if she isn't connected to someone in some way.

Mrs Birling blames only Eva and the father of the child for her death.

When Mrs Birling kicks Eva out of her charity committee

Mrs Birling's committee is proven to be in place just for her own ego, the only time she cares for a different class is if she benefits from it.

Brumley Women's Charity Organisation

She presents herself as moral and charitable to protect her ego.

Mrs Birling's charity organisation where women in distress can receive help in various forms.

Eva Smith was the exact fit for her help, but ironically she turns her away just because she used 'Birling' as her last name to protect her identity.

Pathetic reason to lose all care for a person, she doesn't care that much if she would turn someone away that easily.

Therefore solidifies that fact that she isn't in the charity organisation to actually help people.

Eva Smith was fired from her job at 'Birling.Co' (a factory business) because she demanded (by leading a strike) a pay rise for herself and her peers.

'The young woman, Eva Smith, was a bit out of the ordinary'

Mr Birling fails to understand Eva's aims and just saw her as strange. As a member of a higher-class he fails to understand how important the worker's wages were, he just writes Eva's efforts down against her personally.

'It's my duty to keep labour costs down'

Mr Birling is so ignorant that he doesn't understand the implications his actions will have on other peoples lives.

This may benefit him and boost up his ego (by painting himself as a "hero" to those other company owners around him,) but it doesn't benefit his workers as they are being left desperate.

Demonstrates his miser-like behavior,

Context: Class

Social responsibility

The ethical framework that all people must cooperate with each other for the benefit of the community.

Each of the Birlings demonstrate the failure of the upper class to care for those around them.

Socialism Vs Capitalism

Capitalism

Socialism

Believe in self-sufficiency and private industries in the economic world.

Every man's for themself.

Believe is collective responsibility for the benefit of society.

Against the class divides.

Responsibility to Keep the Birling name

Mrs and Mr Birling's soul responsibility as parents is to secure the Birling name and therefore ensure their future generations are wealthy.

'I've got to cover this up as soon as I can'

Mr Birling sees it as his role to protect their family from any misdemeanour which may lead them into scandal, he refuses to care for anyone elses consequences but his own/his family's.

Mr Birling's arrogant attitude is proven