Accepting Responsibility for the Behavior Towards Eva Smith :: An Inspector Calls J.B. Priestley Essays

Accepting Responsibility for the Behavior Towards Eva SmithAlthough to each one member of the Birling family and Gerald Croft have hadcontact with Eva Smith/Daisy Renton during the preliminary two years,none of them is aware of the others involvement in the tragedy untilthe day of the Inspectors visit. He makes them aware of the part theyhave played in her tragic end. The characters each react differentlyto the news and to the degree of responsibility which they shouldbear, Therefore I think the Inspector Call has caused the character tothink about their actions towards Eva Smith.ERICEric is a teenaged man, a sting of mess. His behaviour before the Inspectorarrives is described as thoughtless, careless and immature. He has nopersonality, this is evident on page 2 not quite as ease, half shy,half assertive. Her sister, Sheila, soon describes him as squiffyon page 3 which demonstrates he tends to drink a bit too oftentimes. But heshows he has a certain respect when he is speaking with his father,this is illustrated on page 4 not too discourteously.Despite his carelessness, after the Inspector arrives, Eric showsinvoluntary sympathy for Eva Smith when he learn about her death andhow Mr Birling had lay her off. This is manifested on page 11(involuntarily) My God This tells me he is sorrowful for her.When Eric has to admit how he behaved towards Eva Smith/Daisy Renton,he has a stronger sense of guilt, but that does not excuse hisbehaviour because the consequences are much worse. Although notentirely to blame for her suicide, he must take much of theresponsibility because he used her. He was drunk, and confessed thatit happened because he was not conscious, but he feels terribly sorryfor her, this is clearly showed on page 52 when he is trying tojustify himself well, I was in that state when a chap tardily turnsnasty However, he did not rape her she was offering her services asa prostitute. Also, she could have married him. It was her choice notto. He tried to answer her financially but she refused to accept anymore stolen money. Maybe Eva/Daisy was too honourable. NeverthelessEric deeply regret what he did, this is illustrated on page 52 Thats the fiendish thing. Oh - my God - how stupid it all is Thistells me he wanted to remember exactly what happened, and the factthat he can not, makes him feels angry and more guilty.As a last-place resort, Eva turns to the Brumley Womens CharityOrganisation for help.