At the beginning of the play, the Birlings appear to be a close-knit family, with the exception of Gerald Croft who is engaged to Sheila. The mood is peaceful and serene, but everything changes when the Inspector arrives. The family becomes wary of him and as time passes, their facade starts to crack.
At the beginning of the play, the "family" members are gathered together around their dinner table celebrating Sheila's engagement to Gerald, giving the impression of comfort and wealth. However, Eric disagrees with some of his father's dramatic and ironic speeches, even though his father tries to impress Gerald by claiming that he is due for a knighthood. As the play is written in hindsight, the audience can see how wrong Arthur is, particularly on topics such as war and the Titanic.
As long as we conduct ourselves properly, avoiding any interaction wit
...h the police court or causing scandal, everything appears to be in order. However, the Inspector's arrival changes everything...
During this time in the play, there are two instances where hints are dropped about Eric's embarrassing past, although the characters themselves remain oblivious. The first hint occurs when Arthur comments that clothing represents a woman's respect and Eric starts to say something before stopping himself. His father then remarks, "...you don't know what some of these boys get up to nowadays." The second hint arises when the doorbell rings and Edna, the maid, informs them that an inspector is present. Arthur speculates, "It may be something about a warrant."
During Arthur's lecture on independence and "cranks", Gerald jokes about Eric being "up to something". Eric's reaction suggests that this implication hits close to home
It is at this moment that the Inspector arrives. As the Inspector begins his questioning, Arthur is accused of sacking Eva for her involvement in a strike regarding a pay raise. The mention of bees in a hive is fitting considering the way everyone's actions seem to be intertwined with one another.
Arthur can be seen as selfish, believing that one can never have too much money or give away too little - even though the Birlings have ample wealth. Sheila and Eric are taken aback by Arthur's attitude, as they believe these girls are not just cheap labor, but actual people. The Inspector then shifts his focus to Sheila, who feels deeply ashamed after realizing the consequences of her previous actions; her jealousy led to Eva being fired from her last job. The Inspector reveals that Eva changed her name to Daisy Renton, causing Gerald to react visibly. The Inspector then asks Eric to show him where the elder Birlings are, purposely leaving Gerald and Sheila alone in the room to eavesdrop on their conversation. When the Inspector returns, Gerald confesses on his own without too much interference. It is revealed that Gerald knew Daisy when he met her at a music hall where she worked as a woman of the town.
He showed compassion towards her and provided her with accommodation in an apartment owned by one of his acquaintances, along with some funds. However, their association was more than just one of generosity, as evidenced by Sheila's earlier remark, "Except all last summer when you hardly came near me." Although Gerald was part of the group associated with Eva Smith, he was different
in that his only regret was the relationship they shared. Gerald provided her with additional money which she utilized for a vacation. The Inspector interrogated Sybil, the head of the Brumley Women's Charity Organization where Eva had applied for aid under a different name - Birling. Sybil's haughty attitude prejudiced her against the case resulting in Eva's rejection, which was the final blow.
Mrs. Birling conveyed to the pregnant woman that her partner was responsible, exhibiting Sybil's arrogant belief in her justification for snobbish behavior. She believed the consequences were deserved due to using her name without her knowledge. The Inspector's impartiality is compromised as he makes his initial judgment, declaring that Mrs. Birling did something terribly wrong and will likely regret it for the rest of her life.
Arthur remains worried about his reputation, stating that the revelation at the inquest will not be beneficial for them as it may attract the attention of the Press. There are indications about the identity of Eva's baby's father, including a statement from Eva to Sybil, but they appear to be disregarded.
According to her, she was just a young person who acted foolishly, behaved wildly, and consumed excessive amounts of alcohol. She was also cited as stating, "..."
"She was from a different class than him," is an accurate description.
According to the Inspector, Sybil holds archaic beliefs, as evidenced by her response to being asked who is responsible for the girl's demise. She insinuates that the girl is to blame for her own actions. Moreover, she shifts the blame to the unborn child's father by stating, "If the girls death is due to anybody, then it's due to
him."
Sheila interrupts the speaker who suggests that the girl should be punished severely. Sheila realizes that each family member has encountered the girl and may have recognized the clues regarding her death and who is responsible.
Despite being ignored, Sybil continues to insist that the man should be made an example of and that it is the Inspector's duty to do so. In her attempts to get the Inspector to take action, Sheila tries to convey a message to Sybil. It is only when the Inspector confirms that he is waiting to do his duty that Sybil realizes what Sheila was trying to tell her, although she still tries to deny it by saying, "But surely . . ."
It's absurd, I mean!
As she reflects, Mrs. Birling acknowledges the trouble her actions have caused her son. Despite his confession, the elder Birlings maintain their denial until Eric reveals his role in the situation. Eric concedes that he had engaged in a drunken encounter with Eva Smith that resulted in pregnancy. When Eva refused marriage, Eric took money from his father's office to financially support her.
Upon learning of the accounts in question, Arthur's immediate response is to insist that he needs a list of them so that he can cover up the situation quickly. However, he later comments on Eric's lack of judgment in not seeking his help sooner, questioning why he did not come to him when faced with such a mess. It seems clear to any observers that Arthur's main priority is to preserve his reputation and shield these events from public attention, rather than facing and resolving their underlying issues. Eric's admission to his
father that he is...
When someone is in trouble, they cannot turn to this type of person.
The Inspector had just left when Arthur quickly shifts the blame to Eric and downplays Eva's death. Despite the gravity of the situation, Arthur prioritizes his reputation and belittles Eva's death. Sheila observes that her parents have not changed their attitudes and are still concerned about their image rather than caring for others. Arthur, his wife, and Gerald attempt to clear their names by questioning the legitimacy of the Inspector and the events surrounding Eva's death. Despite some information being debunked, they fail to learn the lesson from their experience. However, Eric acknowledges that everyone is responsible for each other and not just themselves.
While the others are enjoying a drink to commemorate their lack of action, Sheila acknowledges that the inspector was definitely not joking, as she had realized at the time.
Upon starting to learn, Sheila and Eric's parents dismiss them as "hysterical" and "over-tired" for ceasing their education. The play concludes with a police call reporting the death of a girl who swallowed disinfectant while en route to the infirmary, prompting a police inspector to arrive and conduct an investigation.
Throughout the play, a recurring theme is the parents' desire to conceal, deny, or shift blame for events. This behavior persists until the end with no change. In contrast, the children exhibit repentance, honesty, and compassion and are markedly distinct from their parents in character.
Gerald Croft is a form of middle ground in the events that unfold in the play. He hasn't done anything wrong, save for having a relationship with Eva. However, once the inspector leaves, he aligns
himself with the parents in believing that if the man wasn't truly an inspector, everything is fine. Arthur clearly thinks highly of himself and would never like to admit inferiority to anyone. The moral of the play is summarized by the inspector before leaving: if people cannot learn to care for one another, regardless of social and economic status, they will be taught in blood and anguish, referring to World War I. The play is set in 1912, so the war starts in two years (1914-1918). Arthur contradicts this moral in a speech he gives to Eric and Gerald just before the inspector arrives. If everything that happened to Eva is true, and she did experience all of it from the same people, it begs the question of whether Arthur and Sybil Birling would behave any differently if a genuine inspector came around asking questions after the end of the play.
