In this play, the author whose name is John Boynton Priestley (J B Priestley) is trying to send a message to us by the death of Eva Smith. The message is to always think about the people surrounding you. J B Priestley was very passionate about the divide between the rich and the poor, but primarily about the rich refusing to help and take responsibility for the poor. This made him a socialist who played an important part in the reconstruction of the English Welfare System, which would help the poor tremendously by having the right to free health care (later known as NHS), free education and having a reason to live. Moreover, he also became a playwright for the radio while trying to send the message, which he told us, to a wider audience. This …show more content…
He was engaged to Sheila before she heard that he was lying to her when he told her that he was busy. He is also the son of George Croft, who is the manager of Croft Limited, which makes him established rich. In addition, at the end of the play he is the one who gives evidence that Inspector Goole is not real making him ideal for solving problems, which creates trust between Gerald and the Birling family. Furthermore, he is selfish, even though he lent a room to Daisy Renton, which led to the death of Eva Smith. His role to the death was that he saw Eva Smith (disguised as Daisy Renton), at the Palace music hall in Brumley at March in 1911, being cornered by Alder Meggarty while he was drinking. Therefore, Gerald told Alder that his manager called him, which made Alder leave. Then he went up towards Eva and told her if she didn't want that to happen anymore, she'd better let him take her out of her. She agreed and afterwards they went to the County hotel, had a drink or two and talked about themselves. Two days later they met together and Eva was penniless and homeless, therefore Gerald let Eva sleep in a room which was given to Gerald for a while as he was sorry for her. This made Gerald the most important person in Eva's life. However, Gerald didn't love Eva even though they made love and see her often, as she was his mistress. They were quite close together, but soon enough he requested her to leave. Therefore, after he saw the picture of her and heard her fake name, he was ‘startled’ while trying to ‘pull himself together’ after a quick drink. Also, when he told the Inspector what happened he knew that Sheila would get mad at him which made him depressed and create a strong need to make up for lying to
Birlings' house. He is said to "need not be a big man but he creates
" The character Mrs. Birling automatically tries to pass the blame and responsibility of the suicide of Eva Smith onto someone else, willingly creating a scapegoat, "Go and look for the father of the child, it's his responsibility", she tells the Inspector. Although Sheila Birling's views are more socialist she represents the younger generation in society, she is more concerned with fashion, her appearance and family life, rather that the
He wanted to communicate the message that our actions, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, always affect others. He uses the downfall of Eva Smith and a chain of events to demonstrate this. This leads to a very convincing and well-devised play, which puts across JB Priestley’s views clearly and precisely. In Edwardian Britain there was a
The moral of the play is that everyone is part of a community, and everyone is responsible for each other, it does not matter whether they are lower class or upper class (‘[W]e don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.’). Priestley believed in socialism, he uses the Inspector to express his thoughts about this. This is the main message that he wanted the audience to take away.
he a question he will now answer it, he will just ask a question back.
Priestley's main aim was perhaps to make an audience aware that no one person can live in a society without being
In the play 'An Inspector Calls', many contrasts and paradox's are present and at the centre of them all is the character known as Inspector Goole. However, the inspector is not any ordinary inspector. I believe that the inspector is used as a device by Priestley to explore the wider themes of the play and to depict other characters true personalities. This essay will explore some of the techniques Priestley presents the inspector in An Inspector Calls.
Gerald Croft plays a young, caring, polite man in the play, and he is engaged to Sheila Birling. He also contributed to death of Eva smith in a different way. Gerald’s personality was helpful to a certain extent. He knew Eva Smith as being named Daisy Renton. He saved her and let her
Before the inspector entered the birling household Sheila presented herself as the perfect fiancé to Gerald, despite knowing something happened during the summer she is still very reserved in what she says. With the inspector acting as a defence she begins to take on the role of the
soon find out that Eva worked in his factory, and how she was fired by
Throughout the play An Inspector Calls by J B Priestley, it is clear that Priestley strongly believes in the importance of a caring society and the consequences of our actions. He presents these views on inequalities through the presentation of Sheila Birling. This is done in various different ways using numerous techniques.
And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in blood and anguish.” This passage shows that Priestley wanted to make the Inspector the law bringer and the authority in this play because the audience has to agree with what the Inspector is saying for Priestley’s message to be effective. The quote refers to World War 1 and World War 2 and so Priestley uses the power and knowledge of the Inspector to scare the audience by using powerful sentences such as “they will be taught it in blood and anguish” which reminds the watchers of the pain and suffering they have already gone through. The inspector tries to persuade the audience that trying to pursue wealth is dangerous and destructive such as the case of Mr Birling starting the “chain of actions” for Eva Smith. Priestley had completely opposite views on the world to the main characters, mostly Arthur Birling. The Inspector is there to represent the views of Priestley and so is shown to be much of a better person and man than Birling and his family and whereas Mr Birling is shown to be greedy and selfish in his actions, the Inspector is shown to be the opposite. This shows the main role of the inspector is to present Priestley’s ideas.
For instance, it is as if he is waiting for everyone to confess to his
friend of his. At the beginning of the play, I thought he was a real
need to assist each other at all times. This makes the reader feel sympathy for