The shadow of war hovers over JB Priestley's play about the suicide of a young working-class woman. It was written in 1945, after World War Two, and the action takes place two years before World War One begins. An upper-class family's celebration of an engagement is interrupted by the arrival of a mysterious police inspector, who interviews each of them about their connection to the dead girl, Eva Smith. "We don't live alone," the inspector concludes. "We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other. And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguishSevere suffering, often mental. ."
An Inspector Calls
The shadow of war hovers over JB Priestley's play about the suicide of a young working-class woman. It was written in 1945, after World War Two, and the action takes place two years before World War One begins. An upper-class family's celebration of an engagement is interrupted by the arrival of a mysterious police inspector, who interviews each of them about their connection to the dead girl, Eva Smith. "We don't live alone," the inspector concludes. "We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other. And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguishSevere suffering, often mental. ."
<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color eplus-wrapper">'Robots are far better judges than humans'</h2>
Eva's death will be ruled as having been done at her own hand, but inspector Goole urges the characters to consider their own responsibility in her demise. The mysterious inspector embodies the role of justice in its ideal form, which cuts through to the heart of moral culpabilityBlame. and wrongdoing. But he also implies that guilt should be collective and not individual in this case, and that capitalistRelated to an economic system based on private ownership of businesses and goods. society is also responsible for the tragedy.
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Eva Smith is a victim of patriarchyA system of society where men hold power and women are excluded. not only in her sexual exploitation by the two younger male relatives, but in her treatment by Sheila and Sybil Birling too. Whilst Sheila has Eva fired due to her own jealousy, Sybil, who poses herself as a philanthropistSomeone who donates generously to good causes. American philanthropy has been very important in creating a positive image of the US around the world., rejects the pregnant woman's appeal for help due to her sense of her own moral superiority. This double-standard is brought out by Goole's questioning. Sybil blames Eva for her supposedly "immoral" behaviour, which she sees as having caused the latter's pregnancy and destitution, but is the only one who fails to see the elephant in the room: her son, whose rape of Eva caused the pregnancy. However, neither Eric nor Gerald Croft see any severe consequences for their immoral actions, and Gerald is even commended for his honesty in owning up to his actions.
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The Birling family belong to the prosperous, affluent upper-middle class. The family patriarch, Arthur Birling, is a self-made man attempting to rise up the social ladder through politics. The family's pursuit of social capital has clouded their ability to make moral judgements, and every family member proves capable of exploiting the young, destituteExtremely poor. Having no food, money or shelter. Eva Smith for their own gain. Inspector Goole's final warning is intended to spur on the privileged viewer to take responsibility for protecting the vulnerable, and prefigures the development of the post-World War Two welfare state.
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An Inspector Calls is sometimes read as a moral parableA story told with a moral or spiritual purpose., and it is easy to see why. The slightly fantastical circumstances, by which each family member has had their own coincidental run-in with the same exceedingly down-trodden woman, should perhaps be read as symbolism, rather than naturalismIn literature, a style based on accurately showing detail.. In this way, the Inspector is often characterised as an agent of judgement, highlighting the family's moral hypocrisy as retributionA punishment given to somebody who is perceived to have done something wrong. for their actions. Moral hypocrisy, after all, is rife in the family. Sybil Birling, for example, is quick to reprove her children and husband for perceived failures of manners, but turns a blind eye to her son's alcohol problem. In the same way, she reprimands Goole for the manner of his address, but sees no problem either with her own shortcomings, or with lying about not knowing Eva.
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Bad habits, it appears, are ingrained with age. Although parents should act as moral guides for their children, the roles are reversed in An Inspector Calls. Neither of the older Birlings show any desire to change their ways, and in fact are the most dishonest about their role in Eva's death. Meanwhile, Sheila and Eric both vow to change by the end of the play, and Sheila's conscience seems genuinely awakened by her encounter with Goole.
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Anguish - Severe suffering, often mental.
Culpability - Blame.
Capitalist - Related to an economic system based on private ownership of businesses and goods.
Patriarchy - A system of society where men hold power and women are excluded.
Philanthropist - Someone who donates generously to good causes. American philanthropy has been very important in creating a positive image of the US around the world.
Destitute - Extremely poor. Having no food, money or shelter.
Parable - A story told with a moral or spiritual purpose.
Naturalism - In literature, a style based on accurately showing detail.
Retribution - A punishment given to somebody who is perceived to have done something wrong.
An Inspector Calls

Glossary
Anguish - Severe suffering, often mental.
Culpability - Blame.
Capitalist - Related to an economic system based on private ownership of businesses and goods.
Patriarchy - A system of society where men hold power and women are excluded.
Philanthropist - Someone who donates generously to good causes. American philanthropy has been very important in creating a positive image of the US around the world.
Destitute - Extremely poor. Having no food, money or shelter.
Parable - A story told with a moral or spiritual purpose.
Naturalism - In literature, a style based on accurately showing detail.
Retribution - A punishment given to somebody who is perceived to have done something wrong.