Inspector calls - Character study
J.B. Priestly
He wrote the “Inspector calls” after the 2nd world war. The play contains controversial political messages. Priestley’s chief concern is social inequality. Priestley’s was keen in developing the idea of the end of the war. In 1912 there were rigid class and gender boundaries. In 1945 Those classes and gender division had been breached. Through this play priestly encourages people to build a better and more caring society.
He firmly believed world wars could be defeated through cooperation and mutual respect and trust between countries. He wanted Britain to be a good example to the world by a moral act to Nuclear disbarment.
Character study
- Heavy looking, portentous man, in his middle fifties.
- Proud of his achievements. He boasts about having been Mayor and tries impress the Inspector.
- He is conscious about the social ranks of others and tries to move with higher social class and those who are more superiors.
- He is happy about Shelia’s engagement because joining with Croft limited would do good business.
- He is confident that there will not be a war. But his judgment is wrong.
- He is extremely selfish for he wants to protect his family, business (Mr. Birling co, and his reputation.
- He wants to ride that Eric stole the money for he is always conscious about his reputation.
- At last he will lose his knighthood, his reputation his expansion of business. But he didn’t learn and admit his responsibility for Eva’s death.
- Cold woman, about fifty, her husband’s social superior.
- She is well aware of the social classes.
- She has the least respect for the inspector.
- She patronizes Shelia and Eric.
- She refuses to accept the realities that she doesn’t believe. Ex: Eric’s drinking, Gerald’s affair with Eva.
- It was her prejudice which makes her to refuse to help Eva, her narrow mind of morality dictates that father of the child should be responsible for the welfare.
- At the end of the play she could see all the follies of Eric but she refuses to believe that she did wrong to Eva.
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- Pretty girl, in early
- twenties, happy personality.
- She doubts Gerald and says, “last summer, when you never came near me”
- Compassionate towards Eva Smith
- Feels guilty for her behavior to Eva.
- She is very perceptive. She is the first to note Eric’s reaction and understands his part and guilt.
- As she is very curious, she wants to know about Gerald’s part Eva’s life.
- She judges her parents and Gerald with a new view. Her social conscience has been awakened and realizes her part in her (Eva’s) tragedy.
- She is angry with her parents as they pretend that nothing has happened.
Eric Birling:
1. In his early twenties, not at ease, half shy, half naive.
2.He is embarrassed from the start.
3. He is a hardened drinker. Gerald says” I have gathered that he doesn’t drink pretty hard.
4. When Eva was sacked, he supports the worker’s cause
5. He feels guilt and frustration over his relationship with the girl as he could not justify his actions.
6. A sense of responsibility of Eric made him to feel for the pregnant woman (Eva) and he gave money which he stole from his father’s office
7. He feels uneasy about his parent’s irresponsibility.
8. He tells them” I’m ashamed of you.
9. At the end he is fully aware of his social responsibility. He is not interested in his parent’s reflection on the social cover up. He is concerned about the wrong that has ruined Eva’s life.
Gerald Croft
- Attractive, handsome, about (30) thirty, well-bred man.
- Son of lady and lord Croft, belongs to Aristocratic family. His parents are not excited about the engagement and refused the dinner party too.
- He is not willing to accept is guilt in the girl’s death.
- He pretends as he never knew her.
- His feelings for Daisy Renton was genuine.
- He was shocked and emotionally moved over her death.
- He arranged his friends flat for her as he felt sorry for the poor girl.
- She became his (Gerald Croft’s) mistress, because she was young, pretty and warm hearted.
- He is the one finds out about the fake Inspector and the death of girl.
- He tries to protect himself from the sin he did to Eva; as he was not prepared to accept the wrong, he did to her.
- He did not change till the end, He did realize his responsibility.
- His state of irresponsibility confuses Shelia whether to take back the ring.
- Man, in his fifties, dressed in a plain dark color suit.
- He speaks carefully, looks hard at the person he addresses.
- Works very systematically; He likes to deal with “one person and one line enquiry at a time.
- ” He inquires with information and makes them to talk.
- He deals with each member of the family very firmly.
- He knows a lot, the history of Eva smith, the Birlings and their involvement in her death.
- He says “I’m waiting……. To do my duty” He knows what would happen. He knows Eric’s return.
- Towards the end of the play he was in such a hurry to depart. He might know the arrival of the real Inspector.
- His final speech was a sermon. He gives a message “we are responsible for each other.
- He warms them of the “fire and blood and anguish, that will be consequence for the sin they do.
Eva Smith
- Didn’t appear physically in the play.
- Mr.Goole the inspector brings out this character.
- All the characters say she was ‘pretty’
- Gerald describes, she is pretty, young and warm hearted.
- No parents, belongs to working class.
- No proof to say that the girl who committed suicide was Eva. As the same Eva is Daisy Renton.
- Refused to take the stolen money from Eric shows her pride.
- Symbol of class women who were treated low in that period.
- Victim of Eric drinking.
- Abandoned by Gerald as Gerald shows genuine feeling for her.
- Effected by each and everyone in the play.
- She appears throughout the play indirectly.
- She brings out the other side of the upper class.
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