Skip to main content

Of all the secrets revealed in An Inspector Calls, which one is the most shocking to an audience and why?

The most shocking secret is probably the fact that Eric had made Eva Smith pregnant and that he had, out of desperation, stolen money from his father's business in order to support her. 

The reason why the revelation is so powerful is because firstly, Eric is the youngest member of the Birling family and that one would expect that he would, due to his youth, have had the least involvement with the unfortunate young woman. He appears, from the outset, to be quite upset about inspector Goole's assertions and, at one time, accuses him of having spoilt their little get-together. He is quite uncomfortable and promises to leave. He blurts out toward the end of act one, "Look here, I've had enough of this." He then informs the inspector that he had a little too much to drink and feels that he is in the way and wishes to go to bed.


Eric is also strongly critical of those he believes had done Eva Smith an injustice and continuously makes derisive comments in this regard. We do gradually learn throughout the play, though, that he lives a fairly secretive life. Both Sheila Birling and Gerald Croft  reveal that he had been steadily drinking more and more for the past two years - a revelation that shocks his mother.


What also makes the revelation about Eric's complicity in Eva's death surprising is the fact that she had been turned down for assistance when she approached the charity organization, chaired by Mrs. Birling, for financial assistance.  She rejected the destitute young woman's appeal for she thought her impudent and 'putting on airs.' She told Eva that the father of her unborn child was responsible and that she should approach him for help.


At this point, we have a growing suspicion about Eric's involvement, but we are not quite sure. Sheila displays a growing awareness of where the inspector is heading to with his interrogation of Mrs. Birling, which heightens not only the tension but also our expectation of what is to come next.


Even though the audience is prepared for the actual disclosure about Eric's role in the affair, it does not make it any less shocking when the truth is finally revealed: He had initially forced himself upon her and they later met again. Eva fell pregnant but did not want to marry Eric. It was then that he started stealing money from his father's firm to support her. When she discovered that he was providing her stolen money, she refused to accept any more. It was then that she decided to appeal to the charity for help. Her request was coldly rejected by the haughty Mrs. Birling.


In the end, Eva felt that she had no way out other than to kill herself. Her death, therefore, was as a direct result of Eric's actions and his mother's uncaring arrogance. Although all of the other characters had a role to play in her gradual descent into hopelessness, his actions were what eventually 'broke the camel's back.'

Popular posts from this blog

In chapter one of The Great Gatsby, what advice does Nick's father give him? How does this make him a good person to tell this story?

Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches... Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches into a discussion of how pe...
Post a Comment
Read more

How did the United States become an imperial power?

"Imperial power" is a bit of a vague label. It tends to mean several things at once, so let's unpack it. In the sense of "this country was built on conquest by force," the "imperial power" part of America actually predates the United States proper. The territories that would become the United States were imperial colonies, established by the great European empires of the 17th and 18th centuries. Much of the US Constitution and American governance generally goes back to England, history's largest and most successful imperial power, but vital aspects of American culture come from other imperial powers, such as France and Spain. Much of American culture comes from sources other than the old empires, but they were key influences on what the United States became. In the sense of "this country treats conquest by force as a fundamental component of its culture, economy and politics," the United States has always been an imperial power. Even earl...
Post a Comment
Read more

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...
Post a Comment
Read more