Character Reactions and Responsibility in An Inspector Calls

Ever wondered why your teachers bang on about character development? In Priestley's play, how each character reacts to Eva Smith's suicide reveals everything about their moral compass and social attitudes.

Sheila Birling stands out as the only character who shows genuine remorse and accepts responsibility. Her reaction—"It was my fault"—demonstrates real character growth throughout the play. Unlike the other family members, she directly accuses herself and remains open to taking blame, showing the younger generation's capacity for moral development.

Gerald Croft responds with guilt and anxiety, but his approach is fundamentally defensive. He's more concerned with finding out how much Inspector Goole knows so he can potentially twist the story to protect himself. His defensive tone reveals his priority: self-preservation over genuine accountability.

The older Birling family members react with complete denial of responsibility. Mrs Birling repeatedly insists "she only had herself to blame," whilst Mr Birling shows his lack of morality by believing that firing Eva was irrelevant. Their wealth and social position have shielded them from understanding real consequences.

Key Point: Priestley uses these contrasting reactions to show how social class and generational differences affect moral responsibility—the younger characters can change, but the older ones remain fixed in their selfish attitudes.