An Inspector Calls Key Theme: Responsibility and Guilt (Edexcel GCSE English Literature)

Revision Note

Reviewed by: Kate Lee

Guilt and responsibility mind map

The themes of guilt and responsibility in each act of An Inspector Calls:

Act	Quote	Summary
1	"If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody … it would be very awkward, wouldn't it?" – Mr Birling	Mr Birling refuses to accept his part in Eva Smith’s death
1	"Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges" – Inspector Goole	The Inspector makes clear that the wealthy should help the poor
1	“At least I'm trying to tell the truth. I expect you’ve done things you’re ashamed of too" – Sheila	Sheila begins to understand her responsibility — even when Gerald and her parents will not
3	“We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other” – Inspector Goole	The Inspector uses the metaphor of a body to show the physical connection between people in society
3	“We did her in alright” – Eric	Eric, like Sheila, recognises the truth, and changes for the better

What are the elements of guilt and responsibility in An Inspector Calls?

Priestley presents the theme of guilt and responsibility in different ways through the characters. The telephone call that concludes the play is symbolic; there will be consequences for those who refuse to accept responsibility for their actions.

The Inspector: He embodies social responsibility, holding each character to account for their role in the “chain of events” that led to Eva Smith’s death
Mr and Mrs Birling: Representing a selfish older generation, they occupy an important position in society, but fail in their duty of care towards others
Sheila and Eric: Through their guilt for their behaviour towards Eva, these characters represent the potential for a more progressive younger generation to show greater collective responsibility

The impact of guilt and responsibility on characters

The play’s message of responsibility contributes to its dramatic tension and structure. The Inspector systematically questions each member of the Birling family, revealing their guilt and demonstrating how their actions all contributed to Eva Smith’s death.

Character	Impact
The Inspector	Priestley uses the Inspector as a mouthpiece for his socialist ideology, emphasising personal and collective responsibility: He argues that the wealthy and privileged have a responsibility to support the most vulnerable in society His message has a lasting, transformative effect on the younger members of the Birling family, but other characters refuse to admit guilt for their abuses of power
Mr and Mrs Birling	Arthur and Sybil Birling use the words “responsibility” and “duty” to describe their selfish behaviours but begin the “chain of events”: Mr Birling fires Eva Smith and Mrs Birling abuses her power (in the Brumley Women’s Charity) by refusing to support her; this cruelty leads to Eva killing herself and her unborn child
Gerald	Gerald appears contrite when the Inspector reveals his responsibility for the suicide of “Daisy Renton”, but he later calls the Inspector a ”hoax”: When he tries to give Sheila back the engagement ring, it symbolises that he has not learnt anything
Sheila	Sheila feels deep guilt and regret for getting Eva Smith fired: She represents the younger generation’s acceptance of their responsibility to others
Eric	Eric is revealed to have raped Eva Smith, before stealing from Mr Birling to support her during her pregnancy Priestley shocks the audience by revealing this after Mrs Birling’s actions led to the unborn baby’s death He demonstrates a capacity to change and an acceptance of his social responsibility, like Sheila, by refusing to accept Gerald’s “hoax” claim

Why does Priestley use the theme of guilt and responsibility in his play?

1. Setting and period

Priestley underscores how the wealthiest in society enjoy privileges and lives of excess, while refusing to show compassion for the poorest and most vulnerable
Demonstrates the consequences of selfishness and ignorance (such as the disaster aboard the Titanic and the labour disputes)

2. Plot driver

The plot is structured around the Inspector’s interrogations of the Birling family, revealing their guilt and responsibility one by one
Reveals the “chain of events” that connect individuals and the importance of personal and collective responsibility

3. Audience appeal

Sheila and Eric come to represent Priestley’s 1945 audience — a more progressive and responsible generation
Mr and Mrs Birling, and Gerald, reflect the blinkered attitudes of an older generation whose irresponsibility would have unsettled Priestley’s audience

4. Dramatic device

Creates dramatic irony: the audience realise, before the Birlings do, that each will be interrogated by the Inspector, and therefore each bears some guilt
Leads to dramatic tension, such as the cliffhangers that end each act

Exam-style questions on the theme of guilt and responsibility

Try planning a response to the following essay questions as part of your revision of guilt and responsibility:

Explore how Priestley presents the attitudes of Arthur and Sybil Birling towards their role in the death of Eva Smith.
How does Priestley show that the effects of guilt and responsibility change the character of Sheila in An Inspector Calls?

Last updated: 28 October 2024

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