In 'An Inspector Calls', J. B. Priestley reveals the flaws of society and the darker side of capitalism as well as the bias of class and social status. As a firm believer in the concepts of socialism, he uses this play to expose society's poor attitudes to the working class of the period. This play focuses on the Birlings, a rich, upper class family during the reign of King Edward VII. Their treatment of Eva Smith reflects on how many of the working class may have been treated by their social superiors. Many upper class families of the time were only concerned with individual gain and profit and it is this superfluous materialism which Priestley tries to uncover. Her encounters with each of the members of the family prove that class and society were exceptionally important issues of the time and class mixing was not socially tolerated.

The Inspector is Priestley's tool to expose society's weaknesses in the play. He appears to know everything about the family's involvement with Eva before they reveal their secrets. Alth

The Inspector did not have to ask Sheila many questions, she told him everything about her encounter with the girl of her own free will. After she had realised what she had done, Sheila was absolutely disgusted with her shameful behaviour towards this innocent girl, who she had helped to kill. Throughout the play she seems to think in the same way as the Inspector and it appears that they have a mutual understanding. Sheila seems to have the most moral conscience of any character in the play and she seemed to be absolutely distraught and most repenting.

In a way he used her, although he says he never took advantage of her, because of the love she felt for him and he seemed to hesitantly return. He, however, did take care of her and make her happy for awhile although it was wrong of him to lead her

'So I insisted on giving her enough money to keep her going - until she refused to take anymore.'

After Gerald cast Eva aside, she was able to support herself reasonably well for a while on the small amount she had saved while under the care of Gerald. She had not had a job in a while and it seemed that she had no intention of attempting to find work. When she met Eric at the Palace Bar she gave the impression that she had come close to giving up on life. When Eric met Eva he was drunk, as usual, and she later admitted that she had been to 'chiefly because she'd not had much to eat that day'. Eric found her 'pretty and a good sport'. He walked her back to her lodgings and asked to come in but she refused. He claimed he was in the state when 'a chap easily turns nasty' and he threatened to cause a scene, so she let him in. He then took advantage of her. About a fortnight afterwards he met with her again and this time they talked a bit but he claims that he 'wasn't in love with her or anything'.

'But after all it's better to ask for the earth than take it'

'But after all it's better to ask for the earth than take it'

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Approximate Word count = 4835
Approximate Pages = 19 (250 words per page double spaced)