Name 5 main themes of the play.

Analysis:

 

1. Social duty:

“We do not live alone”, the inspector says in his final speech.

“We are members of one body”.

This perhaps is the most important and central theme of the play. Social status, wealth, class or anything else doesn`t matter.

Priestly wants to highlight, that it is important that people are aware of the effect`s of their actions on other.

The Birlings of course do not think at all how they might have affected Eva Smith.

2. Youth and age:

The play draws a contrast between the older and the younger generations of Birlings.

While Arthur and Sibyl refuse to accept responsibility for their actions towards Eva Smith, (Arthur in particular is only concerned for his reputation), Eric and Sheila are shaken by the inspector`s message and their role in Eva Smith`s suicide.

The younger generation is taking more responsibility.

3. Cause and effect:

The Inspector mentions chain of events that may have led to Eva Smith`s death.

Her suicide is not a product of one person`s act alone, but of a group of people each acting alone.

4. Class:

Social class is indirectly a big theme in the play.

Ex. Gerald will be Sheila`s social superior if they get married. Another example is that Mrs. Croft, Gerald`s mother disapproves the marriage of Gerald and Sheila, because of the dissimilarity in the social class between the two families.

My last example is related to Eva Smith.

At some point Mr. Birling points out that Eva is a girl “of that class”-thereby he is raising himself over others.

5.Responsibility:

Responsibility is a central theme in the play.

In the end of the play some of the people have accepted their responsibility and some managed to convince themselves their innocence.

 

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