Guilt & Remorse

1. Mr Birling

1.1. Mr Birling doesn't feel guilty or remorseful, and even at the end of the play thinks that he has done the right thing.

1.1.1. Even though he started it, he still feels no obligation to Eva Smith's death, since any boss would sack a trouble making worker.

1.1.1.1. "She’d had a lot to say – far too much – so she had to go of course."

2. Mrs Birling

2.1. Like her husband, Mrs Birling shows little remorse for Eva Smith's death,

2.1.1. "‘I blame the young man. He ought to be dealt with very severely"

2.1.2. "I did nothing I’m ashamed of."

3. Gerald

3.1. When Gerald finds out that Eva Smith is dead, he becomes very remorseful

3.1.1. ‘My God! ...I’ve suddenly realized – taken it in properly – that she’d dead!’

4. Sheila

4.1. Sheila is probably the one who has the most guilt and remorse.

4.1.1. "I felt rotten about it at the time and now I feel a lot worse" "I know I’m to blame and I’m desperately sorry"

5. Eric

5.1. Eric never shows responsibility, but when he does, he does it in a way that will always affect someone else. At the end of the play, he acknowledges he made a mistake and feels guilty about it.

5.1.1. From "I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty" to "‘You’re beginning to pretend as if nothing’s really happened at all. And I can’t  see it like that. The girl’s still dead, isn’t she?"