Final answer:
An Inspector Calls is a play that delves into the moral responsibility of the upper-class Birling family for the death of Eva Smith, highlighting social inequality and the importance of empathy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Summary of An Inspector Calls
An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley is a play that examines the repercussions of the actions of the wealthy Birling family on the life of a young woman, Eva Smith. The appearance of the mysterious Inspector Goole reveals the family's links to tragic events leading to Eva's demise. The play is a critique of the social inequality and lack of responsibility the upper classes show towards the working class. It questions the morality of the characters, and by extension, the society they represent.
Priestley presents a dramatic and moral inquiry into the role each family member played in Eva Smith's story. From the callous and arrogant businessman Mr. Birling, his socially conscious wife, their entitled son Eric, their impressionable daughter Sheila and Sheila's equally self-centered fiance Gerald. As the inspector questions each character, they're forced to confront their own failings and complicity.
The inspector serves as a vehicle for Priestley's social commentary, illustrating the impact our actions can have on the lives of others. The play culminates with a twist, leaving the family, and the audience, questioning the true identity of Inspector Goole and whether Eva Smith was a singular real person or a representation of the mistreated working class.