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

Responsibility for Eva Smiths DeathAn Inspector Calls by J.B Priestly, a play, which was first, performedin 1945. The play was set in 1912 originally World War I. The playcentres around the wealthy Birling family. A visit from a mysteriousInspector Goole becomes a horrifying experience for the Birlings, asthey learn that they hurt all played a part in the suicide of a younggirl called Eva Smith. She died by swallowing some strong disinfectedin an infirmary. Priestleys main aim was to encourage people to takeresponsibility for their actions, not to shift the blame on to others.Although each member of the Birling family and Gerald Croft have hadcontact with Eva Smith, none of them were aware of the othersinvolvement in the tragedy until the day of the inspectors visit. Hemakes each of them aware of the part they had played that rent to hertragic end. The characters each reacted differently to the news andthe degree of responsibility contributing to the death varied betweenthem. They all through their selfishness had shown to contribute toEva Smiths decision to shovel in herself.We must remember it wasnt a crime. No one should be held responsible.Its a moral issue. It was not only people that contributed to EvaSmiths death but her plaza in the world and the way in which herlife worked out.Mr Birling, a wealthy capitalist man, and a rather portentious man,was the first soul to be investigated. Mr.Birling didnt care aboutany of his workers, and didnt know them at all, as he says proudly,I have a couple of hundred workers under me, who keep changing. This distinctly showed that there was no personal or business relationshipwith Eva Smith.Mr. Birling told the Inspector that all the workers had just returnedfrom holiday and had become very restless. They demanded for a behaverise 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, Idont believe that Mr Birling did anything wrong toward s Eva Smith. Heonly had sacked her from his factory because she had started to causetrouble by demanding higher wages. Anyone in his position would havedone the same.Though Mr Birling may sound innocent there is much to judge of hischaracter. He seems to be a very strenuous man, and shows no regret fordismissing Eva Smith, despite knowing, that if he had sacked her shemay still have been alive. The effect of dismissing Eva Smith from her