İNGİLİZ/AMERİKAN EDEBİYATI II

The play begins in the spring of 1912. It is the dining room of Birlings’ house in Brumley. With the rise of the curtain we see that Arthur, Sybil, Sheila, Eric and Gerald Croft are sitting around the table.

Edna here is representative of lower class society and their responsibility is to work and care for upper class society like she does.

Mr. Birling is the representative of the capitalist society. He thinks that he can do anything as long as he is rich and well respected.

Sheila plays the leading role in the second act and the audience can easily see and sense her change in behavior.

Then we learn from Sheila that Eric had a drinking problem for years, especially for the last two years.

Eric met her in a bar when he was drunk.

The Inspector turns to Mrs. Birling and tells her that she is a leading member of the Brumley Women’s Charity Organization and about two weeks ago Eva Smith came in to ask for help from her organization. However, she came under a false name, she was pregnant; and she needed desperate help. Sybil Birling used her influence over the committee and convinced other members to refuse her wish.

The Inspector asks the amount of money he had given her. He said it was
fifty pounds. Mr. Birling then asks where he did find the money from and the response is shocking. Eric said he stole it from Mr. Birling’s work.

The Inspector explains that he is here to investigate the death of a girl. He says that the girl died two hours ago in a hospital after committing suicide by drinking disinfectant. He reveals the girls name as Eva Smith.

Eric and Sheila accept their responsibility in Eva's death. However, their parents are unwilling to take the responsibility. It shows the difference between generations.