Social responsibility

• "All right Gerald, you needn't look at me like that. At least I'm trying to tell the truth. I expect you've done things you're ashamed of too"


  Sheila is shocked when she learns that she had a part to play in Eva's death. Sheila takes responsibility for her actions and tells the truth. Gerald is being judgemental of her even though he has not yet taken responsibility for his actions
• "If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody we'd had anything to do with, it would be very awkward, wouldn't it?"


  Mr Birling refuses to take any responsibility for Eva's death. He dismisses the idea that they should be responsible for each other, suggesting that such a situation would be 'awkward'
• "It's better to ask for the earth than to take it" 


  This is when the Inspector is questioning the Birlings. The Inspector is suggesting that it is socially irresponsible to be greedy and 'take' things without permission