Quote Originally Posted by lisar View Post
Yeah, I agree with PaintYourTarget. It is more about the social interactions. It's also about how everyone is connected. They may not have killed her, but for all they know, they may have had a part.

"The affect this has on the audience is the impression that Birling is stupid as they have just finished the Second World War with Germany."

That's not necessarily true either. I think it was clear that it was pre-world war 1. When you see the play and watch the film, their attire is that of the 'teens.
The book is written after WWII but Mr.Birling proves it is set before the WWI as he says something about the so called war that would be coming eventually not happening and that things would fizz over etc.