theme responsibility

• every character is responsible
• each character represents a microcasm of society
• each character used to show how even small events can be monumental
• play is built around the idea of morality play -> characters stand for moral qualities.
• Mr B and Mrs B refuse to accept any social responsibility.

  -represents the older generation - unable to accept change

  -> "im sorry she should have come to such a horrible end. but i accept no blame for it all" -Mrs Birling, Act 2

  -> "a man has to mind his own business and look after himself" -Mr Birling, Act 1
• Sheila is used to connect to the audience
• Eric and Sheila take responsibility for their involvement of the life of Eva Smith.

  -represents the younger generation - open to change

  -> "i know i'm to blame and i'm desperately sorry" - Sheila Birling, Act 2

  -> "the fact remains that i did what i did" -Eric Birling, Act 3
• Mr Birling gave an anti-responsibility speech ->

  "a man has to make his own way- has to look after himself".

  "you'd think everyone has to look after everybody else".
• use of double ending shows the consequences of not accepting responsibility.