1.

​ Write a background on the playwright with special emphasis on themes he wrote on

2.​ Outline the plot
3.​ Describe the characters - both main and subsidiary
4.​ Historical background
5.​ Social themes discussed
6.​ The playwright’s own political convictions
7.​ How is his political voice being reflected in the play? Which characters represent which
side of the political spectrum and how?

1.​ J.B Priestley was born on 13th September 1984 and he wrote the play, “An Inspector
Calls”. He unfortunately passed away on 14th August 1984. He is originally from
Yorkshire, United Kingdom. The themes that he reflected in the play, “An Inspector Calls”
are Social Responsibility, class, gender equality and age.

2.​ The Birling family is celebrating the engagement between Gerald and Sheila. Suddenly,
there was a knock on the door from Inspector Goole. Inspector Goole informs the family
about the death of a young woman by the name of Eva Smith. He informs that she has
died of suicide by drinking disinfectant. The inspector revealed that she used to work in
Arthur Birling’s factory, and he had fired her for going on strike two years prior to her
death. Mr. Birling refuses to take any responsibility for her death. However, the inspector
revealed that Sheila was jealous of Eva and had gotten her fired, and Sheila feels guilty
and somewhat responsible for her death. Then the inspector forces Gerald to confess to
an affair that he had with Sheila. Gerald is honest and confesses and Sheila appreciates
his honesty, but returns the engagement ring back to him. It is also revealed That Ms.
Sybil Birling refused to provide any sort of help to the pregnant Eva. Inspector Goole
then reveals that it was Eric who had a drinking problem that got Eva pregnant, and stole
money from his father to help her. The Inspector Leaves and the family looks at records
and realises that there is no death record of a girl called Eva Smith. However, Mr. Birling
receives a phone call, and to his horror, the phone call revealed that Eva Smith has
committed suicide by drinking disinfectant and the police are on their way to question
them. The curtains fall and the play ends.

3.​ The main characters in the story are Eva Smith and Inspector Goole. The secondary
characters are Sybil Birling, Arthur Birling, Sheila, Gerald, and Eric.
Eva Smith: Eva Smith has died in the play. We know that Eva worked at Artur Birling’s factory
and was sacked for going on strike. We also know that she had an affair with Gerald, Sheila’s
fiance, and was impregnated by Eric Birling.
Inspector Goole: The Birling family is celebrating Sheila and Gerald's engagement when the
Inspector arrives there. He "need not be a big man," according to the stage directions, but he
must convey a sense of "mass, solidity, and purposefulness."
Sybil Birling: Mrs. Sybil Birling, the wife of Arthur Birling, is snooty and heartless from the very
beginning of the play.
Arthur Birling: The head of the Birling household is Mr. Birling. He is a 'hard-headed'
businessman who has accumulated immense wealth.
Sheila: Sheila Birling, who is in her early twenties, is the daughter of Arthur and Sybil. She is a
joyful, innocent, and naive young woman who is celebrating her engagement to Gerald Croft at
the beginning of the play.
Gerald: Gerald is described as, "An attractive chap about thirty, rather too manly to be a dandy
but very much the easy well-bred young man-about-town."
Eric: In his early twenties, Eric, the Birlings' son, is described as "not quite at ease, half shy, half
assertive." He is not confident.

4.​ The play is set in 1912 and it was broadcast in 1945 when both world wars were fresh in
the minds of everyone. In 1912, in this period, even the Edwardian era, which was
characterized by its social order and economic stability, began to crumble.

5.​ The social themes in this play are social responsibility, class inequality, gender roles, and
age.

Social Responsibility:
In An Inspector Calls, Priestley explores social responsibility through:
●​ the treatment of Eva Smith
●​ how each character does or doesn’t take responsibility for their behaviour
●​ the Inspector's lessons
​
Class Inequality:
In An Inspector Calls, Priestley explores the theme of class through the treatment of
working-class Eva Smith by the wealthy Birlings and Gerald Croft when she is in the following
situations:
●​ when she is a factory worker
●​ when she works in a shop
●​ when she is effectively homeless
●​ when she is potentially a single mother
​
​ Gender Roles:
In An Inspector Calls Priestley explores the theme of gender through:
●​ how Mr Birling and Gerald Croft view women
●​ how Mrs Birling treats Eva Smith
●​ how Eva Smith is portrayed as independent and outspoken before her death
​
Age:
In An Inspector Calls, Priestley explores the theme of age through:
●​ Sheila and Eric's response to Eva's death
●​ Mr and Mrs Birling's response to Eva's death
●​ how the older characters perceive the younger ones

6.​ J.B Priestley was very politically active throughout the war and at the time he claimed
that society needed to change if another war was to be avoided. Because of his wise
 words, Priestley was often labelled as a, “socialist” and he was involved in many socialist
movements while being the founder of CND (The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament).

7.​ In the play Priestley seems to be suggesting that individuals have a duty to behave and
act in a manner that will enable all members of society to benefit in ways that would not
otherwise be possible on an individual basis. He did not believe that we live entirely in
isolation and that we should be motivated solely for individual gain and look after only
ourselves and our immediate family.

Homework
Write in detail the flow of Act 1; also choose relevant quotes from each character and make a
chart - 3 columns - quote, context, analysis. You should choose at least 20 quotes from act 1

The play begins with the Birling family and Gerald Croft at the Birlings’ home celebrating Sheila
and Gerald’s engagement. Arthur Birling gives a speech talking about businesses and his bright
future. He’s a capitalist. The atmosphere is cheerful, as talks of social class starts with a
discussion about the merging of the Birling and the Croft business. Still, the dinner party is
disturbed by the entrance of Inspector Goole, who arrives to announce the suicide of a young
woman, Eva Smith. The inspector begins asking questions and tells them that when Eva asked
for more money, Mr. Birling got her fired. Mr Birling’s capitalist views greatly take the centre
stage for the dismissal. The Inspector later tells the Birlings that Sheila got Eva fired from her
next job because of jealousy. Sheila is a very sorry woman who accepts the responsibility for
her actions in Eva's downfall. Later on, Gerald admitted to having an affair with Eva, after she
changed her name to Daisy Renton. Gerald is embarrassed, but at the same time, he admits to
his relationship with Eva. Sheila gives back her engagement ring showing her maturity. The
Inspector drops hints about Mrs. Birling’s refusal to kill Eva for help. But Mrs. Birling takes him
coldly and feels no guilt for it. The drinking problem of Eric is indicated with irresponsible
behaviour and the tension level in the room is elevated as the inspector’s questions get sharper.
The play ends with a cliff-hanger due to which the audience is at the edge of their seats to know
more.

Lost Scene Practice:

MR BIRLING INTERVIEW

HW: Finish other two questions and bring out Mr Birling’s character in a manner eg. We
are not responsible for their welfare

●​ What was your connection with Eva Smith?

●​ What are your thoughts on the death of Eva Smith?
●​ Do you believe that you were a factor that affected her death?

Introduction
A group of interviewers approached Mr Birling to inquire about his connections to Eva Smith and
the circumstances surrounding her tragic demise. They asked questions to find out more about
her treatment and how his actions might have affected her life.

Question 1: What was your connection to Eva Smith?

Eva Smith was an employee at Birling & Co. until two years ago. Unfortunately, certain
circumstances compelled us to part ways with her and have her dismissed. I once believed that
Eva Smith was a good worker and a lively and good-looking girl. I initially held high hopes and
aspirations for her in the firm due to her generally commendable work ethic. However, she was
a ringleader of a group of workers who went on strike to demand higher salaries, which was
absolutely unacceptable. How can someone of her working caliber lead a group of employees
demanding more pay in a company that has done so much for its employees? This type of
behavior will never be accepted in society. Her actions were not only unjustified but also
reckless. Such behaviour brought about her dismissal and I stand by that decision. Since that
day, I have had no further connections with Eva Smith until I was informed of her demise by
Inspector Goole. But let me make it clear, it was her own choices that brought about her
downfall.

Question 2: What are your thoughts on the death of Eva Smith?

Well, I'm certainly very sorry about the girls' death, of course, it's always a tragedy when a
young life is lost, but I don't really see how it is a concern of mine. She was just one of the many
workers ever employed at my company, and we are not responsible for the welfare of our
employees, hence we can’t be held accountable. If I had to maintain the welfare of every single
employee, regardless of their ability to follow company policies or the needs of the business, I’d
soon go bankrupt. It’s unfortunate, but people like her need to learn responsibility.

Question 3: Do you believe that you were a factor that affected her death?

Okay, stop. First, you came in during my daughter’s engagement. Do you even know who my
daughter is marrying? I will be knighted soon. This has ruined such a jubilant occasion. How
dare you? And now you accuse me of being the cause of her death? That's completely absurd! I
simply did what any sensible businessman would do. I had to let her go as she was causing
trouble with the company by orchestrating a group of workers to demand higher wages. If I gave
every single worker more money, where would that leave my business? Once again, the
company is not responsible for the welfare of each and every employee, if they can’t handle
something called life then so be it! I do admit that what happened to her was truly regrettable,
but I had no way of controlling it, I just did what anyone would do. Blaming me for this is simply
preposterous and unfair! Just bugger off!

​ Dismissive of the journalist more openly

​ Mention it as a happy occasion - why bring in death
​ He has a habit of stating wrong facts
 RATIONALE

social responsibility
age
gender
class

“An Inspector Calls” (1946), by J.B. Priestley scrutinizes the moral deficiencies and hypocrisy
among the Victorian upper class, taking place in the fictional town of Brumley, England, in 1912.
I decided to have Mr. Birling interviewed, interviewers having arrived close on the heels of
Inspector Goole noticing a police vehicle outside the Birling mansion. They inquire about
Birling’s connections to Eva Smith and the circumstances surrounding her tragic demise. The
interview highlights his fixation on achieving a knighthood while representing the greedy
businessman he is.

Dramatic action unfolds as Birling shifts from a casual conversation to an angry outburst,
revealing his true character and attitude toward social responsibility. The central conflict
revolves around his accountability for Eva’s death. Birling’s self-defense, claiming he "can't be
held accountable” for his employees' welfare, opposes the play’s message that individuals in
power must consider the welfare of others and be accountable for their actions. Birling’s
characterization aligns with Priestley’s criticism of the rich. He remains preoccupied with social
status and mentions his daughter's engagement, expresses minimal grief at Eva's passing, and
displays increasing hostility towards criticism representing his capitalist mindset that prioritizes
business over worker welfare.

In conclusion, writing this “lost scene” deepened my understanding of Priestley’s play by

emphasizing how dramatic elements like conflict, and characterization reinforce the capitalist
mindset of Mr. Birling. Crafting this interview against him accentuates his arrogance and refusal
to accept social responsibility, which are the play’s central themes. The interview format
amplified his defensiveness (“we are not responsible”) and hostility (“Just bugger off!”), echoing
the interviewer’s questions and Birling’s tendency to evade responsibility. This exercise
deepened my understanding of theatre’s power to expose moral hypocrisy, while the interview
format crystallized how direct questioning can uncover a character’s psychology, reinforcing
Priestley’s critique of class and morality.

INSPECTOR GOOLE SPEECH

Dear members of the press,

Thank you for your presence at this press conference. I address you today regarding the tragic
death of Eva Smith: a young girl whose life has been destroyed by the people who should have
taken care of her. I am Inspector Goole, and I have not been too lenient with this investigation.
The details of this case are rather disturbing to tell, and I am very sorry that it may offend
somebody's feelings.

Eva is not the one who should be placed under the blame, but the society she lived in. Some
events have happened that society quietly consensually overcame. The developments that led
to her tragic demise are definable through this event as through any others. She was employed,
she was a child, she was somebody who aspired and was full of ambitions, and in a moment
everything was gained and lost through the indifference of those who were in power.

Birling is a wealthy and well-established man in the city. He dismissed Eva from Birling & Co. for
taking part in a wage strike. He says it's a 'rather simple matter' that he 'cannot be responsible'
for. For me, this was the first link in the chain of events that caused Eva's demise. Those in
authority do not respect those who depend on them in the everyday functioning of their
business.

This situation is an example of how important social responsibility is. I don't share Mr. Birling's
point of view that an individual is only responsible for himself and his family. Aren't we all
members of the same society? The outcome for Ms. Smith showed how the actions of a few can
have a deplorable impact on many.

Therefore, I want to emphasize that society should reflect on the effects that this case may
have. We must ask ourselves where we are in society, how are we responsible to each other,
and what are the possible changes that may happen due to our careless actions. I note that the
lessons learned from the case will have much worse repercussions in the years to come.

Do bear in mind that we are one body, one society! What hurts only one of us, hurts us all.
Thank you. I will not be taking any questions at the moment.

SHEILA JOURNAL ENTRY

Dear Diary,

Today was such a wonderful, perfect day until it wasn’t. The dinner celebrating the engagement
between me and Gerald happened today! Mother fussed over the silverware, Eric teased me
endlessly, and Daddy was so proud. Basically, everyone behaves the way they usually do. Also,
Gerald gave me the ring, the ring, and I was so happy so I couldn’t stop looking at it. “It’s exactly
what I wanted,” I told him, but honestly, I would have adored anything that he would have given
me. How silly, I need a ring to feel secure! But I was on top of the world, like a child with a toy.
And the ring being so expensive did help.

Then, he arrived, the inspector, Inspector Goole. At first, I believed it was a prank. But his
stare… it was cold, so tough and severe. The moment he mentioned Eva Smith, a chill crept up
my spine. I laughed, nervously, insisting I didn’t know the girl, but his silence exposed the truth.
That day, at Milwards… Oh how petty I was with that silly dress on! Though, Eva wore that
dress beautifully, and I, jealous, spiteful, immediately maneuvered her dismissal. I regret that.
“She was pretty,” I sneered, reducing her to a threat to my ego. Then the inspector’s words tore
through, “You used your power because you had the power.” Oh, how scary and coldly he said
it. I panicked the moment he said that. ​
​
I was cold, I wanted to shrivel and jump off a cliff. Gerald’s face paled. Daddy just constantly
complained about responsibility. But, I felt it, the weight of what I had done. I was ashamed, but
Mother’s stare could have frozen fire. “Control yourself,” Mother hissed as if my actions
mattered more than life. I was so frozen, and I swear I was staring at the ghost of Eva.

Later, when Gerald slipped away, tense and evasive, I sensed his guilt. I did not know what guilt
was, but I sensed it. Why does he think I'm still that naive girl who giggles at his charm? The
inspector knows, he knows, and I'm starting to see through Gerald’s polished lies. I’m thinking of
handing back the ring tonight. Gerald is upset, but how can I wear it now? It’s a chain, leading to
Eva’s demise, not a promise. Are Daddy and I the factor of her death? Mother thinks I’m
hysterical. Maybe I am. Maybe I'm finally awake. ​
​
​
Questions about Mr Birling's actions

SHEILA RATIONALE

“An Inspector Calls” (1946) by J.B. Priestley scrutinizes the moral deficiencies and hypocrisy of
the Victorian upper class, taking place in the fictional town of Brumley, England in 1912. The
play captures Inspector Goole’s visit which exposes the moral failures of the Birlings. I decided
to write a diary entry where Sheila Birling is the main subject as her pivotal development shapes
the core message of the play. In this diary entry, she recognizes the first sense of guilt and
discovers the broader social implications while vowing to transform herself. This entry maintains
a reflective voice to reveal Sheila’s internal thoughts and conflicts while discussing how the
reader would be interested in her personal development. This entry is situated in Act 1, right
after Sheila reveals her involvement in firing Eva Smith from Milwards which makes the dramatic
action more intense and emotional stakes greater.

From the outset, the entry deepens Sheila’s character arc by exposing her guilt and internal
conflict. The line, “I wanted to shrivel and jump of a cliff,” emphasizes her emotional turmoil and
the Inspector’s influence. This aligns with Priestley’s intention to critique the misuse of privilege.
Furthermore, this piece highlights internal conflict (Sheila’s guilt and shame”) and interpersonal
conflict (her tension with Gerald and her parents). For instance, her decision to consider
returning her engagement ring crystalizes her rejection of superficial relationships and social
awareness. Moreover, the entry remains faithful to Sheila’s natural tone and voice, using naive,
childish reflections such as “like a toy,” and mature reflections like, “a chain of events leading to
her demise.” Her evolution from shallow materialism to self-awareness reflects Priestley’s
themes of responsibility and moral growth.
 In conclusion, writing this diary entry improved my understanding of Priestley’s use of dramatic
elements such as character development, themes of guilt, power and societal change. Using the
diary format allowed me to delve deeper into Sheila's introspection, adding depth to her
character and aligning her with Priestley’s moral visions.

ACT 2

The inspector continues to question Gerald and Sheila. Sheila laughs at Gerald as he tries to
avoid linking Eva’s death to him but the Inspector already knows. The Inspector informs that he
has no more questions for Sheila, but is not done asking questions, so Sheila decides to stay.
Gerald asks why she wants to stay as he believes it is going to be unpleasant and disturbing.
Then, Gerald and Sheila fight as Gerald tries to convince Sheila to believe that someone else
should go through questioning, and Sheila gets upset and lashes out at Gerald. The Inspector
then takes charge. He recommends Sheila to stay so that she doesn't feel guilty about Eva’s
death, and that it might be better for everyone. Sheila admits it's her fault but refuses to accept
that she was the one who made her commit suicide. Mrs. Birling enters. She explains to the
Inspector that the Birlings will not be of much help. Sheila urges that she find out why Eva killed
herself. Mrs. Birling gets mad at Inspector Goole, explaining that Mr. Birling is a top man. Gerald
and Sheila request her to stop. Mrs. Birling says Eric does not drink a lot but Sheila denies that
statement boldly and Mrs. Birling gets mad at her.

Quote Context Analysis

1. "We really must stop Sheila fights against her parents when Shows Sheila's growth in maturity and
these silly pretenses." – they attempt to conceal the facts. moral awareness. Contrasts with her
Sheila parents' stubbornness.

2. "Girls of that class—" Mrs. Birling displays her belief in her Through this moment, Priestley
– Mrs. Birling superiority by treating Eva/Daisy as an exposes the upper class' discriminatory
inferior person. beliefs along with their inability to
understand people beneath them, thus
supporting his condemnation of
privileged society.

3. "You and I aren’t the Sheila chooses to speak with Gerald The moment illustrates how Sheila has
same people who sat only after discovering about his matured emotionally while losing her
down to dinner here." – extramarital relationship. youthful illusions.
Sheila
4. "Public men, Mr. An intense dialogue occurs when the The playwright attacks capitalist beliefs
Birling, have Inspector demands Mr. Birling to explain while demonstrating socialist ideas
responsibilities as well his duties towards society. regarding social obligations according
as privileges." – to Priestley.
Inspector

5. "I’m not a child, don’t Sheila makes clear to her parents that She separates cordial innocence into a
forget." – Sheila she wants independence. bold confrontation that shows how the
future generation changes.

6. "You seem to have Mrs. Birling shows contempt for the way The characters display a conflict
made a great impression Sheila responds to situations with between different generations along
on this child, Inspector." emotions. with Mrs. Birling's rude superior
– Mrs. Birling behavior.

7. "I did nothing I’m She protects her decision to avoid The character exposes her own moral
ashamed of." – Mrs. assisting Eva/Daisy at her charity. blindness and unwillingness to take
Birling responsibility because she fails to
understand why the upper class
exhibits hypocrisy.

8. "She came to you for She directly approaches Mrs. Birling The scene reveals how society failed to
help, at a time when no about her involvement in Eva Smith's meet expectations by examining the
woman could have passing. organizations' inability to show
needed it more." – compassion.
Inspector

9. "We are members of The Inspector's moral lesson to the Social responsibility stands as the core
one body. We are family. theme which reflects the socialist views
responsible for each of Priestley.
other." – Inspector

Q3.2 EXTRACT ANALYSIS ESSAY PREPARATION

ESSAY 1: ACT 2 (PG 188-189)

What makes this extract a dramatic moment in the play?

Gerald and Sheila fighting - Conflict

Sheila shares guilt with others - Catharsis
Mr. and Ms. Birling lack empathy until the end and have no emotional connection - Irony
From the outset, even amidst the celebratory engagement between Sheila and Gerald, Priestley
ensures this a dramatic moment by crystalizing the tensions between them, which reveals
cracks in their seemingly perfect relationship.

➔​ Sheila (Bitterly): Of course he did.

➔​ Sheila: Well, we didn’t think you meant Buckingham Palace
➔​ Gerald (To Sheila): Thanks. You’re going to be a great help, I can see. You’ve said your
piece,

Furthermore, Priestley establishes this dramatic moment by underscoring Sheila’s moral

awakening and the catharsis she attempts to achieve through shared guilt.

➔​ Sheila: Nothing would induce me. I want to understand exactly what happens when a
man says he's so busy at the works that he can hardly ever find time to come and see
the girl he's supposed to be in love with. I wouldn't miss it for the worlds -
➔​ Sheila: But you’re forgetting I’m supposed to be engaged to the hero of it. Go on, Gerald.
You went down into the bar, which is a favorite haunt of women of the town
➔​ Sheila: And probably between us we killed her.

Moreover, Priestley employs irony to make this a dramatic moment by exposing the Birlings'
obsession with their social image while demonstrating their lack of empathy for Eva, which
reveals their capitalist views.

➔​ Birling (Angrily): Inspector, I’ve told you before, I don’t like your tone nor the way you’re
handling this inquiry. And I don't propose to give you much more rope.
➔​ Mrs. Birling: (Over-excited.) And she refused to go. (With Sudden anger to the
Inspector) Well come along - what is it you want to know?
➔​ Birling: Yes, yes. But I see no point in mentioning the subject - especially - (indicating
Sheila)

Intro:
1.​ Name of play along with playwright
2.​ Story in a couple of lines along with key themes
3.​ Thesis statement= repeat words from question+your 3 key ideas with which you will
answer the question+why has the author used such means (ideas) to address the issue
of the question
4.​ Although The Tempest is a play written in the early days of colonialism and
Disgrace is a novel written in a post-colonial, post-Apartheid South Africa, the
works explore the theme of injustice through point-of-view, symbolism and
motif. The authors show the importance of reconciliation and love as means of
overcoming injustices.

One family’s denial, a microcosm of universal failing. The play, “An Inspector Calls” by J.B.
Priestley is a crime-thriller set in the fictional town of Brumley, England, set in 1912, it was first
broadcast to the public in 1946. Inspector Goole, a mysterious character, uses dramatic
questioning to expose the false illusions that shield the privileged, supercilious Birling family.
Furthermore, through this investigation, the Inspector unravels how each member of the family
contributed to the tragic demise of Eva Smith. The play explores key themes of social
responsibility, class inequality, guilt, generational divide, and capitalism versus socialism.
Priestley explores his socialist ideology in this extract, which forms a dramatic moment as it
reveals cracks in Sheila and Gerald’s relationship, underscores Sheila’s moral awakening, and
exposes the Birlings’ obsession with their social image, which crystalizes their lack of social
responsibility.

From the outset, even amidst the celebratory engagement between Sheila and Gerald, Priestley
ensures this is a dramatic moment by crystalizing the tensions between them, which reveals
cracks in their seemingly perfect relationship. As the Inspector unravels the secret of Gerald
knowing who Daisy Renton is, Sheila says, “Of course he did.” Sheila uses emphatic language
to blame Gerald because she wants to get the attention off herself, as well as to voice her
suspicion that Gerald had an affair with another woman. This sharp response conveys her
growing awareness of Gerald’s dishonesty, and this starts her disillusionment with their
engagement, conveying the drama of what is forthcoming. Furthermore, when Gerald
sarcastically remarks, “Thanks. You’re going to be a great help, I can see,” his use of irony
portrays his frustration with Sheila’s persistence. Sheila actively refuses to stay silent to display
relationship strain before Gerald attempts unwillingly to avoid taking responsibility. Sheila uses
sarcastic words to ridicule Gerald's weak attempts to minimize the consequences of his actions
by saying, "Well, we didn't think you meant Buckingham Palace." At this point, Sheila directly
confronts Gerald while exposing his truth, rejecting all the pretenses surrounding their
engagement. Hence, Priestley ensures this is a dramatic moment by crystalizing cracks in
Gerald and Sheila’s relationship, which leads to tensions between the family.

Furthermore, Priestley establishes this dramatic moment by underscoring Sheila’s moral

awakening and the catharsis she attempts to achieve through shared guilt. When Sheila says, “I
want to understand exactly what happens when a man says he's so busy at the works that he
can hardly ever find time to come and see the girl he's supposed to be in love with,” she
employs dramatic irony to make Gerald feel guilty for his actions, knowing he had an affair with
another woman by the name of Daisy Renton during their time as a couple. This conveys her
attempt at achieving catharsis through redirecting guilt, highlighting the dramatic action Priestley
employed. Moreover, Sheila has a moral awakening, and this can be seen when she says, “And
probably between us we killed her.” Her sudden realization of Eva’s death places her in a state
of panic, and she tries to diffuse the guilt away as she realizes she is in the wrong, which may
lead her to face severe consequences. Additionally, Sheila underscores this state of shock
through the quote, “You wait, Mother.” As her mother refuses to believe that the family is
responsible for her death, she attempts to deny Sheila’s statement by saying, “Sheila don’t talk
nonsense.” This crystalizes that Sheila completely ignores Mrs. Birlings’ perspective, as she is
in a state of realization and moral awakening, grasping the fact that she indeed had a major role
in Eva Smith’s death. Hence, Priestley establishes this dramatic moment by underscoring
Sheila’s attempt at catharsis through shared guilt and her moral awakening.
Moreover, Priestley employs irony to make this a dramatic moment by exposing the Birlings'
obsession with their social image while demonstrating their lack of empathy for Eva, which
reveals their capitalist views.

In conclusion,

Point
Evidence
Techqniue
Analysis
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Writers Intention
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