Birling Family Analysis

Which members of the Birling family change as a result? of the inspectors visit and which do not?
An inspector calls was first written in 1945 by JB priestly. Although the play was written in 1945 it was set in 1912, just after the Second World War. When priestly felt little had changed since the turn of the century, where people were still poverty stricken, and treated harshly due to their status in society. Priestly wrote the play hoping for people to leave the values of the twentieth century behind, and build a more equal and socialist environment. He did this by illustrating strong social gaps between classes through his novels and plays, which were mainly aimed at a capitalist audience. Furthermore Priestly writings were heavily influenced
Who first assumes that the inspectors call is something to do with a warrant, and would dare not think he was the one in trouble. He then tries to intimidate and impress the inspector by mentioning he was once a mayor ,and boasting that his friend will travel on the "absolutely unsinkable" Titanic, that he knows for fact that "there isn't a chance of war", and that in the near future there will be "peace and prosperity ... everywhere."This just proves how arrogant he is, and that he could have not been more wrong as the titanic sinks and there is a war. Although as the inspector starts to question him about Eva smith and shows him a photo to recall his memory, Birling admits that he employed her and quite proudly mentions that he “discharged her, but “can’t accept any responsibility” for sacking her, as she wanted a raise to “twenty five shillings a week”. This wasn’t much to ask for but as his greediness and selfishness took over he replied “no”. He fired Eva just to make a point to the workers and to show how big he is. This shows his arrogance. Furthermore he tells Eric to “face a few responsibilities” instead of Mr Birling owning up to his own responsibilities’. He is more worried about a “public scandal” and his precious potential “knighthood”, than his own children and the fact that he had a part to play in Eva’s death. This shows that Mr Birling is selfish, self centred and
She makes inconsequential remarks and speaks in a rather childish way: she calls her mother ‘mummy’, and uses words like ‘squiffy’ and ‘jolly well’. She is often ordered by her father what to do. Her reaction after being informed by the inspector of the young girl’s terrible death is that she is “sorry” for her death, and that she can’t stop thinking about this girl. Although she would have rather not known as she’s “been so happy tonight”. This makes her appear quite selfish. But the inspector informs her that she had worked for the Birlings, except had been sacked as she had asked for a raise in her wages. Sheila does not condone her father’s actions, heatedly replying “it was a mean thing to do”. This shows that Sheila is different to her parents, and when she the inspector refers to Eva as cheap labour, Sheila realises that they aren’t cheap labour but that “they’re people”. This shows that Sheila has empathy towards Eva, recognising her as a person not just a worker. As the inspector informs her that despite being sacked, she had found a new job at Milwards, although was sacked as a customer complained of her. It then hits Sheila that she was the customer who complained and was responsible. Unlike her parents she feels regret and admits it was “her own fault”, as she was in she “furious temper”. She is genuinely remorseful for her actions, and is very affected by