An Inspector Calls: False innocence
Television | Film makes a wealthy family the unwitting villains
by Marty VanDriel
Posted 6/11/20, 04:18 pm
In 1912, the Birling family of England seems to have it all. In their beautiful home, with servants rushing during a lavish dinner, Arthur and Sybil Birling celebrate daughter Sheila’s engagement to Gerald, son of another wealthy family. Gerald is helping run his father’s factory.
Mrs. Birling assures her daughter that she is “securing her future” with this excellent match. In the drawing room after dinner, Mr. Birling is equally confident. “You’re getting married at the best time possible,” he informs his prospective son-in-law.