An Inspector Calls is a morality play that demonstrates many different themes throughout the play an inspector interrogates the Birling family and strategically uncovers how each family member was responsible for Eva Smith's tragic ending.
The play is set in the North Midlands, an industrial city that focuses on individual benefit and growth in 1912, the events take place at Birling’s house, a household of self-centered upper-class individuals.
The play begins with the celebration of the engagement between Sheila, the daughter of Mr and Mrs Birling, and an upper-class man, Gerald, the son of Sir George and Lady Croft.
Shortly after, the celebration comes to a halt with the intrusion of Inspector Goole, who has started the interrogation with Arthur Birling, only being the first out of the family in the series of disclosures that reveal the involvement in the exploitation of the lower class.
Mr Birling’s role was exposed when it was brought to light that he had fired Eva Smith after she was striking for fair wages.
Sheila Birling then contributes to the exploitation of the lower class and fires her from the next job purely because of jealousy and her pompous belief in her superiority.
Then the Inspector interrogates the other members of the family to quickly reveal how each family member is tainted with exploitation, insatiable indifference, and callous selfishness, as well as their contributions towards the tragic end for Eva Smith.
An Inspector Calls is a play that demonstrates: the inequality within society, social responsibility, guilt, and conflicts within different generations throughout the play making the reader reflect on their actions as an individual and how their actions may have affected another person.
An Inspector Calls is a play that has many different interpretations and hidden meanings that challenge the views of how society functions.
Inspector calls challenged the social negligence at the time therefore having a significant impact on society in the 20th century
J.B. Priestley attempts to create social change through the play where he voices his personal views.
