Social responsibility

• The theme of social responsibility is an underlying theme throughout the play and arguably Priestley‘s most important message to the audience. He demonstrates this view through a diversity of characters: from the younger generation who accept and even relay this key message, the older characters who demonstrate the flawed capitalist views of 1910s England and the Inspector: the omniscient mouthpiece of Priestley’s fundamental message.
• ‘my God’

  Eric is naturally sympathetic towards Eva

  shows his potential for change by accepting social responsibility
• ‘I did what I did’

  Eric accepts full responsibility for his actions and is ready to admit it

  Personal ‘I’ shows opposite of how he described himself as ‘chap’ - shows maturation of views and acceptance of social responsibility

  acceptance of social responsibility causes maturation
• ‘I agree with Sheila’ 


  agrees about how wrong parents behaviour is (not accepting responsibility)

  ahead of parents (not accepting responsibility)
• ‘oh how horrible’

  Sheila is sympathetic from first moment she hears about the death

  shows audience she has more potential for change than the other characters

  social responsibility more easily grasped in younger gen
• ‘So I’m really responsible?’

  interrogative used by Priestly to make audience see change in Sheila

  before would have never questioned - changed

  accept responsibility
• ‘These girls aren’t cheap labour’

  Questions fathers behaviour

  becoming more aware

  sheltered most of her life- social responsibility easier to accept when seen real life
• ‘You knew it then. You began to earn something and now you’ve stopped’

  Language infused with rhetorical devices which resonate with audience

  Group of 3 memorable with Inspectors direct and short accusations

  Echoes inspectors message

  Shows echo of social responsibility is fundamental in all classes
• ‘several hundred women’

  rejects social responsibility by objectifying and dehumanising women

  refuses to pay more - capitalist

  shows capitalist views wont accept social responsibility
• ‘Can’t accept any responsibility‘

  Exact opposite of purpose of inspector

  adverb ‘any’ - completely lacks morality and sympathy

  Doesn’t believe actions caused harm

  fails to see chain of events
• ‘all mixed up like bees in a hive’

  simile is an attempt to trivialise concept of socialism

  hints to arrival of inspector and message of socialism that will propagate throughout
• ‘Go and look for the father of the child’

  imperative shows she puts blame onto others

  accepts no responsibility and won’t change

  used to show characters that don’t accept social responsibility are less perceptive - capitalism closes minds as she doesn't realise chain of events Sheila: don’t you see?
• ‘only had herself to blame‘

  doesnt see how others affect each other

  blames Eva

  reluctant to accept responsibility and to change
• ‘I accept no blame for it at all’

  oldest gen least likely to change

  capitalist views will outweigh views of socialists in upper classes + older generation
• ’I did my duty’

  possessive pronoun ‘my‘ and noun ‘duty’ used to expose Mrs Birling perception of duty as Capitalist duty to keep rich rich and poor poor

  rejects moral duty to provide assistance to those most in need
• ‘If I would’ve known’

  conditional sentance shows Mrs B believes action is determined by those involved

  only does what is best for her and her family

  socialist responsibility X

  family responsibility YES
• ‘It isn’t the same girl’

  rejects responsibility and tries to manipulate others to do the same

  no guilt / remorse

  older gen / aristocracy least likely to change
• ‘You couldn’t have done anything else’

  Agrees with older gen (mr B) sacking Eva was right thing to do

  Exploit privelages + basic rights of lower classes - reflects capitalist views

  Pronoun ‘anything’ demonstrates they don’t consider any other option that don’t suit capitalist beliefs i.e. socialism