Mrs Birling's Treatment of Eva Smith and Character Development
Mrs Birling's Interaction with Eva Smith
Mrs Birling's treatment of Eva Smith is a crucial element in "An Inspector Calls". Her actions towards Eva highlight her prejudices and lack of empathy.
Highlight: Mrs Birling turned Eva Smith away from her charity when she desperately needed help.
Mrs Birling's justification for her actions reveals her deep-seated class prejudice:
Quote: "She was claiming elaborate feelings and scruples that were simply absurd in a girl in her position."
Perception of Eva's Situation
Mrs Birling's view of Eva's pregnancy out of wedlock demonstrates her rigid moral standards and lack of compassion:
Quote: "As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!"
This statement shows that Mrs Birling automatically assumes Eva is morally corrupt due to her circumstances.
Character Development orLackThereof
Unlike some characters in the play, Mrs Birling does not undergo significant character development. She remains largely unchanged by the Inspector's revelations.
Highlight: Mrs Birling is presented throughout the play as a narrow-minded, patronizing, and arrogant character.
Her refusal to accept any responsibility for Eva's death, even after learning of her son's involvement, underscores her inability to change:
Quote: "I accept no blame for it at all."
Priestley's Critique
Through Mrs Birling's character, Priestley critiques the unfair distribution of power in Edwardian society and its corrupting influence. Her unwillingness to change or accept responsibility serves as a stark contrast to characters like Sheila, highlighting the generational divide in attitudes towards social responsibility.
Analysis: Mrs Birling's character in "An Inspector Calls" serves as a powerful critique of upper-class attitudes and the lack of social responsibility in Edwardian society. Her treatment of Eva Smith and her resistance to change throughout the play underscore Priestley's themes of class prejudice, gender roles, and the need for collective responsibility.
