The Most Responsible For Eva Smith's Death In An Inspector Calls

Who is most responsible for Eva Smith's death?

By Kerem and Vibbodh 9D

In his 1945 drama "An Inspector Calls," J. B. Priestley concentrates on a rich "family" that resides in the North Midlands of England, in a made-up town called Brumley. Young Eric is the head of the family, along with his sister Sheila, who is Gerald Croft's fiancée at the beginning of the play. There is also Mr. Arthur Birling and Mrs. Sybil Birling. They are the parents of Eric and Sheila. Arthur Birling is a wealthy, around 60-year-old man, and Sybil is his wife, who is the social superior of the house. However, the question of who is responsible for her death is a complex one that is explored throughout the play.

Arthur Birling is a complicated character. On the surface,

This is evident in her behaviour towards Eva Smith, as Sheila becomes jealous of Eva when she sees her wearing a dress that she believes suits her better than it does Sheila, as "Sheila was the wrong type." Rather than trying to understand Eva's circumstances or showing empathy towards her, Sheila immediately becomes angry, threatens, and says that she would persuade her mother "to close their account with them" if Eva is not fired. This behaviour demonstrates Sheila's lack of compassion and empathy, as well as her willingness to abuse her wealth and social status to get what she wants. Sheila's actions are thoughtless and selfish, and they ultimately have serious consequences for Eva. Not only does Sheila's threat lead to Eva being fired from her job, but it also makes it difficult for her to find work elsewhere. Losing her job at Milwards was a significant blow for Eva, as it was her last stable source of income. Eva's financial hardship and the damage to her reputation likely contributed to her feelings of desperation and hopelessness, which ultimately resulted in her committing

On the surface, Eric is portrayed as a young, impulsive character who struggles with alcoholism and has a tendency to make bad decisions. As the play progresses, however, it becomes clear that Eric is more than meets the eye. One of the key ways in which Eric is responsible for Eva Smith's death is through his exploitation of her when she was vulnerable and struggling in life. Eric first sees Eva in a local bar while he is "a bit squiffy." Eric, having had a few drinks, "insisted" on going to Eva’s house. When Eva came to him seeking financial assistance, Eric took advantage of her desperation by offering her money in exchange for sexual favours. He did so knowing that she was in a difficult situation economically and socially and that his actions could have serious consequences. Eric's actions were thoughtless and irresponsible, and they contributed to the downward spiral that ultimately led to Eva's suicide. His exploitation of Eva added to her feelings of desperation and hopelessness, and it likely played a significant role in her decision to take her own life. Despite his initial lack of awareness and remorse, Eric eventually comes to an understanding of the gravity of his actions and the impact that they had on Eva's life. As the play progresses, Eric becomes increasingly remorseful and apologetic for his behaviour, and he vows to change his ways. This is evident in the following