Ignorance to Knowledge in An Inspector Calls Essay

The well-known play An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestly is said to be a progression from ignorance to knowledge. This progression from ignorance to knowledge is not only for the characters, but for the audience as well. The Inspector brings about this knowledge by tactfully making the characters confess to the sins of their past. The characters begin being ignorant and soon learn that they should be more socially responsible and have more consideration for other people. The audience are encouraged to think deeper about the story and work out what lies beyond the plot. Priestly is telling us that prejudice can prevent people from acting responsibly.

At the beginning, the characters are ignorant so Priestly uses this as a vehicle for his opinion and to get the audience to understand the message of the play. Birling is very optimistic for the future and confident that there will not be a war. As the audience knows there will be a war, we begin to doubt Mr Birling's judgement. We know he is wrong about this, so he could be wrong about lots of other things.

The first impression that I got from the Birling family before they met the Inspector was that they were snobbish and upper class. From the beginning, Arthur makes everybody know that he is in charge by having the loudest voice and always being the one to have the last word in an argument. He was the leader of the family and always thought he was right, a characteristic entranced by Priestly.

Arthur Birling made many ignorant speeches at the beginning of the play, and the audience know that they are ignorant because events in the near future contradict Birlings words. Birling also believes that "a man has to make his own way." He is selfish and only cares for himself and his familys reputation. He believes that the importance of the community are "nonsense" and it should be everyman for himself. As soon as he states this, the doorbell rings and the Inspector arrives. The Inspector brings knowledge to him that should make him change his views on social responsibility, but even at the end of the play, he is unable to learn the lesson of the play; he is unable to admit his responsibility for his part in Eva's death.

The knowledge that the Inspector brings to the family and their responses to that knowledge divides them into two groups. The ones that feel sorry for the death of Eva Smith and admit that they had something to do with her death are the younger generation: Sheila and Eric. Those who do not believe they had anything to do with it are the older generation: Mr and Mrs Birling. Gerald is in the middle as he is sorry and upset about her death, but he does not believe that he had anything to do with it. This may be because of him being similar to Birling in that he is a businessman and caring too much about his reputation. He may also be on Arthur Birlings side because he wants to make a good impression on his new father-in-law. We know this because after every accusation Birling makes, Gerald follows this with phrases like well, you were right and of course! In contrast, we know that Sheila was sorry about Evas death and her involvement because she repeatedly says it was I who had the girl turned out of her job and oh, how horrible. She clearly believes that she had a part to play in the suicide of Eva Smith and is very regretful. We know Eric is regretful too because he says, and I didnt even remember thats the hellish thing. Eric wanted the best for her and wished that he could have seen more of her. He was drunk when he first met her and regrets ever getting her pregnant. He also acknowledges that this played a major part in her suicide. His father was not at all supportive.

Mr and Mrs Birling didnt seem to change their views throughout the play. They continued to believe that they were perfectly justified for how they treated Eva Smith and that they were not at all involved in her horrific suicide. They did not like the Inspector from the beginning and this may be because he is a figure of authority and they do not like to be told what to do or think. They like to be the ones in control. We know this because Birling says to the Inspector I dont see why we have to tell you anything. In fact, theres nothing I can tell you. I told the girl to leave and she went. Thats the last I heard of her. He is not taking any responsibility. Mrs Birling even says Girls of that class, showing us that she is very prejudiced and is making a judgement about someone because of their class.

The role of the Inspector is central in helping the characters establish their new knowledge and in highlighting the major theme of the play. When he asked a question, it always seemed that he already knew the answer. Sheila tells Gerald Of course he knows! At the end of the play, the omniscient Inspector seems to disappear like some kind of ghost. Even his name, Inspector Google, sounds like goule. It is as if the Inspector is the voice of J.B. Priestly trying to get the message of the play across to the characters.

The younger generation were the more responsible ones. They admitted their faults. J.B. Priestly used the Inspector to try to make all of the characters realise that they should be more socially responsible and open minded about their views on life, especially Mr Birling, and he gave them a chance to change. Even though the older generation were still very ignorant at the end, they will live with the guilt forever, and have to suffer the consequences.