social responsibility

• Does the fact no one died make the Birling's less guilty?

  -When he reveals no girl died at the Infirmary, Priestley challenges his audience to consider whether it makes any difference to the Birlings' guilt.

  -guilt. The older generation are relieved

  and want to celebrate, learning nothing. On the other hand, the children are haunted by the visit.
• Sheila explains, "Everything we said had happened really had happened. If it

  didn't end tragically, then that's lucky for us. But it might have done," (Act 3, pg 70).


  Her death doesn't change what they did.
• Priestley wants his audience to come to the same conclusion;The older generation's belief that

  "everything's all right now," (Act 3, pg 71)


  • shows that tragedy is required for the authorities to pay attention.
  • By removing the existence of a "dead girl", Priestley asks his audience whether the Birlings' selfish, negligent acts are any better morally because no one died.
  • He suggests responsibility goes beyond the law or fatal consequences.
  • Responsibility is permanent.