English Lit - AIC - Theme: Social Responsibility

• The plays purpose is to show the importance of social responsibility; the idea that people should act in a way that helps less privileged people rather than hurting them
• Each charcaters views in the play are challenged
• Mr Birling : Thinks that community responsibility is “nonsense“. His business interests are more important than workers rights
• Mrs Birling : Believes they have no social responsibility to the working class and her prejudices are so ingrained they can’t be changed
• Sheila : Realises that getting Eva/Daisy sacked out of spite was irresponsible; however, she didn’t do anything at the time so the inspector challenges her to improve her behaviour
• Eric : Realises too late his actions of selfishness were responsible for ruining Eva/Daisys chances of improving her life
• Social responsibility is the inspectors main focus