How is the theme of collective responsibility conveyed in 'An Inspector Calls'?

The theme of collective responsibility is key to understanding the whole text of An Inspector Calls. In order to tackle this question you must address the symbolism and roles played by Eva Smith, the Inspector, the maid, also Sheila and the political context of which this play was written. Eva Smith: Firstly, you should assess her name, the way J.B. Priestley uses it to convey that this situation is common. Smith is a common last name and therefore you should address that fact in relation to the idea of collective responsibility. Then you could address the fact that Mrs Birling had turned her way despite her being a technical part of the family, as she was pregnant with Eric's child. The quotation you must use if you get a question on either social or collective responsibility 'there are millions and millions of Eva and John Smiths'. In order to get top marks you can try to integrate the quotation into your sentence. For example, 'J.B. Priestley uses a common name in order to convey that this is not the only person that suffers as Eva Smith has, as 'there are millions of Eva and John Smiths' out in society that are in need of help.' The political context of the time: this is crucial to understanding why Priestley had wrote this play in the first play. It is written retrospectively, in order to allow the audience to see the ignorance of a man such as Mr Birling who only considers his own needs. There is also reference to H.G Wells and George Bernard Shaw, you must mention these and should mention Priestley's affiliation with Labour. You could mention the workers strike. Obviously you would have to address these issues whilst showing an overall knowledge of the play in order to do the best you can, so mentioning the relevant factors and explaining what collective responsibility is in the first instance.