Responsibility in An Inspector Calls
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J.B. Priestley’s An Inspector Calls delves into the theme of responsibility, asking its audience to reflect on their moral obligations to others. Written in 1945 and set in 1912, the play offers a critique of social inequality and selfishness, making the theme of responsibility central to its narrative and its characters' development.
Responsibility: A Central Theme
Priestley crafts An Inspector Calls as a social morality play, using the theme of responsibility to critique the class system and attitudes of the Edwardian era. The play unfolds during a single evening in the Birling household, as the mysterious Inspector Goole interrogates the family about their involvement in the life and tragic death of Eva Smith, a working-class woman. Through this investigation, Priestley exposes how each character's actions, whether overtly cruel or passively indifferent, contributed to Eva’s death.
The play challenges the idea that individuals exist in isolation. Priestley promotes the concept of collective responsibility, emphasising how interconnected lives are and how individual actions can have far-reaching consequences. This message resonates strongly in the post-World War II context of the play's audience, who were grappling with rebuilding a broken society and forging a more equal future.
The Characters and Their Relationship with Responsibility
Each member of the Birling family and Gerald Croft represents a different attitude towards responsibility, and Priestley uses them to critique various aspects of society:
Arthur Birling: The patriarch of the family is a staunch capitalist who strongly rejects the idea of collective responsibility. His infamous assertion that "a man has to make his own way" sums up his individualistic worldview. He dismisses the Inspector’s message, believing it to be a "socialist" attack on his values. Priestley uses Mr. Birling to symbolize the selfishness and moral blindness of the upper class, particularly those who prioritise profit over people.
Sybil Birling: Similarly, Mrs. Birling embodies cold indifference and class prejudice. As a prominent member of the charity organisation that Eva Smith turned to for help, she denies aid out of snobbery and a refusal to acknowledge her own culpability. She represents those who use institutions meant for social good as tools of exclusion and power. Her refusal to accept any blame, even when confronted with evidence, illustrates the danger of moral complacency.
Sheila Birling: In contrast to her parents, Sheila evolves significantly throughout the play. Initially shallow and self-absorbed, she becomes acutely aware of her role in Eva’s suffering after recognising her jealousy-driven actions. Sheila accepts responsibility and begins to advocate for change, embodying the hope that younger generations can learn from their mistakes and embrace a more ethical worldview. Her journey underscores Priestley's belief in the potential for social progress.
Eric Birling: Like Sheila, Eric undergoes a transformation, although his path is marked by guilt and shame. His irresponsible behavior, including theft and an exploitative relationship with Eva, highlights how personal recklessness can have devastating consequences. However, Eric’s remorse signals his readiness to take responsibility, offering another glimpse of hope for redemption and societal change.
Gerald Croft: Gerald's response to the Inspector’s interrogation is more ambiguous. While he initially appears sympathetic and regrets his affair with Eva, he ultimately sides with the older Birlings in dismissing the Inspector’s message. This duality reflects the tension between personal conscience and societal pressures, illustrating how privilege can obstruct genuine accountability.
The Role of Inspector Goole
Inspector Goole is the moral compass of the play and Priestley's mouthpiece for promoting social responsibility. Through his probing questions and incisive comments, the Inspector reveals the connection of the characters' actions and Eva's plight. His assertion that "we are members of one body" summarises Priestley's call for a society built on mutual care and accountability.
The Inspector's mysterious nature adds to his symbolic significance. Is he a real inspector, a supernatural force, or a representation of the Birlings’ collective conscience? Regardless of his identity, his role is to deliver Priestley’s message: that ignoring our responsibility to others can lead to devastating consequences. His chilling final speech, warning of "fire and blood and anguish," foreshadows the horrors of the World Wars, reminding the audience of the cost of societal selfishness and division.
Dramatic Techniques and Structure
Priestley’s use of dramatic techniques reinforces the theme of responsibility. The play’s cyclical structure, ending with the revelation that another inspector is on the way, suggests that lessons unlearned will inevitably resurface. This technique keeps the audience in a state of reflection and self-examination.
The contrast between the older and younger characters highlights generational differences in attitudes toward responsibility. Priestley portrays the younger generation, Sheila and Eric, as more open to change, whereas the older Birlings cling to their established beliefs. This dynamic reinforces the idea that societal progress depends on the willingness to accept responsibility and adapt.
Priestley also uses dramatic irony to expose the flaws in the older characters’ worldviews. Mr. Birling's confident predictions about the unsinkability of the Titanic and the impossibility of war are proven disastrously wrong, undermining his credibility and emphasising the dangers of arrogance and ignorance.
The Play's Message for Modern Audiences
Though set in 1912, An Inspector Calls remains profoundly relevant today. Its exploration of responsibility transcends its historical context, resonating with contemporary audiences as they grapple with issues like inequality, climate change, and global interdependence. Priestley’s call for a society founded on empathy and shared accountability reminds us that our actions, no matter how small, contribute to a larger social fabric.
In An Inspector Calls, Priestley presents responsibility as a moral imperative, urging individuals to recognise their role in shaping the lives of others. Through his vivid characters, powerful dialogue, and dramatic techniques, he critiques selfishness and advocates for a more compassionate, interconnected society.
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