English literature

• Who is Arthur Birling in the play?


  A hard-headed practical man of business
• What is Arthur Birling's primary focus in the play?


  He is focused on profit
• How does Arthur Birling view Sheila and Gerald's marriage?


  He sees it as advantageous for business
• What change occurs when the Inspector arrives in Act One?


  There is a change in action and mood
• How is Sheila Birling described in the play?


  As a pretty girl in her early twenties
• What is Sheila's attitude towards her engagement?


  She is pleased about her engagement
• What does Sheila Birling lack in terms of social awareness?


  No sense of social responsibility
• What themes are present in the play?


  Themes include inequality, social responsibility, and morality
• How do the characters of Arthur Birling and the Inspector contrast?


  They represent two opposing characters
• How is Sybil Birling characterized in the play?


  As a rather cold woman
• What duty does Sybil Birling believe a wife has?


  She believes a wife has a duty to her husband
• How does Sybil Birling feel about Eric?


  She is annoyed by Eric
• How do the views of Mr. and Mrs. Birling evolve throughout the play?


  • Mr. and Mrs. Birling's views harden
  • Sheila learns social responsibility
  • Eric feels guilty
  • Gerald has double standards
• How is Eric Birling described in the play?


  As being in his early twenties and 'not quite at ease'
• How do Gerald Croft's views compare to those of Arthur Birling?


  Gerald has similar views to Birling
• What is Gerald Croft's relationship with Sheila?


  He loves Sheila
• What could you create to represent another part of the play?


  Create your own ideas map for one of the other parts of the play.
• What is the purpose of the quick quiz mentioned in the study material?

  To assess understanding of the play's plot and structure
• In what year does the play begin?

  1912
• What event is the Birling family celebrating at the beginning of the play?


  Sheila and Gerald's engagement
• Who gives a speech about business and the economy?

  Mr Birling
• What does Gerald present to Sheila during the engagement celebration?


  An engagement ring
• Who interrupts the evening celebration?

  A police inspector
• What is Inspector Goole investigating?


  The suicide of a young girl named Eva Smith
• How does Mr Birling respond to the Inspector's questions about Eva Smith?


  He is defensive about his treatment of her as a factory worker
• How does Sheila feel about her treatment of Eva Smith?


  She admits she treated Eva badly
• What name does Gerald reveal he knew Eva by?


  Daisy Renton
• What does Mrs Birling admit about Eva in Act Two, Part 2?


  She knew Eva and refused to help her
• What does Mrs Birling blame for Eva's situation?


  She blames the father of the unborn child
• Who is revealed to be the father of Eva's unborn child?


  Eric
• What does Gerald reveal about his relationship with Eva/Daisy?


  He had an affair with her
• How does Sheila react to her treatment of Eva?


  She expresses shame
• What does Sheila do with the engagement ring?


  She gives it back to Gerald
• What does Eric confess in Act Three, Part 1?


  He got Eva pregnant
• How does Eric feel about his mother's refusal to help Eva?


  He accuses her of killing her grandchild
• What does the Inspector discuss in his monologue?


  Social justice
• How do Mr and Mrs Birling respond to the Inspector's message?


  They refuse to accept responsibility
• What does Gerald discover about Inspector Goole?


  There is no evidence of him on the police force
• What do the family realize about the Inspector at the end of the play?


  He was an imposter
• What happens at the end of the play?

  A police inspector is on his way to talk to them about a suicide