Responsibility for Eva Smiths Death :: An Inspector Calls J.B. Priestly Essays

Responsibility for Eva Smith's Death An Inspector Calls by J.B Priestly, a play, which was first, performed in 1945. The play was set in 1912 before World War I. The play centres’ around the wealthy Birling family. A visit from a mysterious Inspector Goole becomes a horrifying experience for the Birlings’, as they learn that they have all played a part in the suicide of a young girl called Eva Smith. She died by swallowing some strong disinfected in an infirmary. Priestley’s main aim was to encourage people to take responsibility for their actions, not to shift the blame on to others. Although each member of the Birling family and Gerald Croft have had contact with Eva Smith, none of them were aware of the others ´ involvement in the tragedy until the day of the inspector’s visit. He makes each of them aware of the part they had played that lead to her tragic end. The characters each reacted differently to the news and the degree of responsibility contributing to the death varied between them. They all through their selfishness had shown to contribute to Eva Smiths’ decision to kill herself. We must remember it wasn’t a crime. No one should be held responsible. It’s a moral issue. It was not only people that contributed to Eva Smith’s death but her position in the world and the way in which her life worked out. Mr Birling, a wealthy capitalist man, and a ‘rather portentious man,’ was the first person to be investigated. Mr.Birling didn't care about any of his workers, and didn't know them at all, as he says proudly, 'I have a couple of hundred workers under me, who keep changing.’ This clearly showed that there was no personal or business relationship with Eva Smith. Mr. Birling told the Inspector that all the workers had just returned from holiday and had become very restless. They demanded for a pay rise or would go on strike. She was making trouble as Mr Birling said, ‘She had a lot to say, far too much so she had to go.’ Personally, I don’t believe that Mr Birling did anything wrong towards Eva Smith. He only had sacked her from his factory because she had started to cause trouble by demanding higher wages. Anyone in his position would have done the same. Though Mr Birling may sound innocent there is much to judge of his character. He seems to be a very hard man, and shows no regret for dismissing Eva Smith, despite knowing, that if he had sacked her she may still have been alive. The effect of dismissing Eva Smith from her