Guilt and Responsibility

• Guilt and responsibility in act 1 and Summary:

  "If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody … it would be very awkward, wouldn't it?" – Mr Birling, Mr Birling refuses to accept his part in Eva Smith’s death.
• Guilt and responsibility in act 1 and Summary:

  "Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges" – Inspector Goole, The Inspector makes clear that the wealthy should help the poor.
• Guilt and responsibility in act 1 and Summary:

  “At least I'm trying to tell the truth. I expect you’ve done things you’re ashamed of too" – Sheila, Sheila begins to understand her responsibility — even when Gerald and her parents will not.
• Guilt and responsibility in act 3 and Summary:

  “We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other” – Inspector Goole, The Inspector uses the metaphor of a body to show the physical connection between people in society.
• Guilt and responsibility in act 3 and Summary: “We did her in alright” – Eric, Eric, like Sheila, recognises the truth, and changes for the better.
• What are the elements of guilt and responsibility in An Inspector Calls?

  Priestley presents the theme of guilt and responsibility in different ways through the characters. The telephone call that concludes the play is symbolic; there will be consequences for those who refuse to accept responsibility for their actions.  
• What are the elements of guilt and responsibility in An Inspector Calls?

  • The Inspector: He embodies social responsibility, holding each character to account for their role in the “chain of events” that led to Eva Smith’s death
  • Mr and Mrs Birling: Representing a selfish older generation, they occupy an important position in society, but fail in their duty of care towards others
  • Sheila and Eric: Through their guilt for their behaviour towards Eva, these characters represent the potential for a more progressive younger generation to show greater collective responsibility
• The impact of guilt and responsibility on characters:

  The Inspector:

  • Priestley uses the Inspector as a mouthpiece for his socialist ideology, emphasising personal and collective responsibility: 
  • He argues that the wealthy and privileged have a responsibility to support the most vulnerable in society
  • His message has a lasting, transformative effect on the younger members of the Birling family, but other characters refuse to admit guilt for their abuses of power 
• The impact of guilt and responsibility on characters:

  Mr and Mrs Birling:

  • Arthur and Sybil Birling use the words “responsibility” and “duty” to describe their selfish behaviours but begin the “chain of events”: 
  • Mr Birling fires Eva Smith and Mrs Birling abuses her power (in the Brumley Women’s Charity) by refusing to support her; this cruelty leads to Eva killing herself and her unborn child 
• The impact of guilt and responsibility on characters:

  Gerald:

  • Gerald appears contrite when the Inspector reveals his responsibility for the suicide of “Daisy Renton”, but he later calls the Inspector a ”hoax”: 
  • When he tries to give Sheila back the engagement ring, it symbolises that he has not learnt anything
• The impact of guilt and responsibility on characters:

  Sheila:

  • Sheila feels deep guilt and regret for getting Eva Smith fired: 
  • She represents the younger generation’s acceptance of their responsibility to others
• The impact of guilt and responsibility on characters:

  Eric:

  • Eric is revealed to have raped Eva Smith, before stealing from Mr Birling to support her during her pregnancy
  • Priestley shocks the audience by revealing this after Mrs Birling’s actions led to the unborn baby’s death 
  • He demonstrates a capacity to change and an acceptance of his social responsibility, like Sheila, by refusing to accept Gerald’s “hoax” claim 
• Why does Priestley use the theme of guilt and responsibility in his play?

  1.  Setting and period

  • Priestley underscores how the wealthiest in society enjoy privileges and lives of excess, while refusing to show compassion for the poorest and most vulnerable
  • Demonstrates the consequences of selfishness and ignorance (such as the disaster aboard the Titanic and the labour disputes)
• Why does Priestley use the theme of guilt and responsibility in his play?

  2. Plot driver 

  • The plot is structured around the Inspector’s interrogations of the Birling family, revealing their guilt and responsibility one by one
  • Reveals the “chain of events” that connect individuals and the importance of personal and collective responsibility
• Why does Priestley use the theme of guilt and responsibility in his play?

  3. Audience appeal 

  • Sheila and Eric come to represent Priestley’s 1945 audience — a more progressive and responsible generation
  • Mr and Mrs Birling, and Gerald, reflect the blinkered attitudes of an older generation whose irresponsibility would have unsettled Priestley’s audience
• Why does Priestley use the theme of guilt and responsibility in his play?

  4. Dramatic device  

  • Creates dramatic irony: the audience realise, before the Birlings do, that each will be interrogated by the Inspector, and therefore each bears some guilt  
  • Leads to dramatic tension, such as the cliffhangers that end each act