Overview

• Who wrote 'An Inspector Calls' and in what year?

  1. B. Priestley in 1945
• Where is 'An Inspector Calls' set?

  In an English manufacturing town called Brumley
• In what year does the play take place?

  1912
• How many acts are in 'An Inspector Calls'?

  Three acts
• What does 'real time' mean in the context of the play?

  There is no change in time or location between acts
• Who is the head of the Birling family?

  Arthur Birling
• What does Arthur Birling represent?

  The Capitalist businessman
• Who is Sybil Birling?

  The wife of Arthur Birling
• What does Sybil Birling represent?

  The upper-class, socially prominent wife
• Who is Sheila Birling?

  The daughter of Arthur and Sybil Birling
• What does Sheila Birling represent?

  The impressionable, socially-aware younger generation and the feminist movement
• Who is Eric Birling?

  The son of Arthur and Sybil Birling
• What does Eric Birling represent?

  The impressionable, socially-aware younger generation and the consequences of toxic masculine culture
• Who is Gerald Croft?

  The son of Sir and Lady Croft
• What does Gerald Croft represent?

  Privilege and the dominance of the upper classes and patriarchy
• Who is Inspector Goole?

  A police inspector
• What does Inspector Goole represent?

  The ideals of socialism and social responsibility
• Who is Eva Smith?

  A lower-class, young girl mistreated by the Birlings
• What does Eva Smith represent?

  The neglected lower-classes
• What happens in Act 1 of 'An Inspector Calls'?

  1. The Birling family celebrates Sheila's engagement to Gerald.
  2. Inspector Goole arrives to investigate Eva Smith's death.
  3. Mr. Birling fired Eva after she led a strike for higher wages.
  4. Sheila complains about Eva at Milward’s, leading to Eva's firing.
  5. Eva changed her name to Daisy Renton, which Gerald recognizes.
  6. Sheila accuses Gerald of having an affair with Daisy.
• What does Mr. Birling toast to during the dinner?

  The progress made by society
• How did Eva Smith die?

  By drinking disinfectant
• Why did Mr. Birling fire Eva Smith?

  She led a strike at his factory asking for higher wages
• What does Sheila feel about her actions towards Eva Smith?

  She feels bad and swears she won't act like that again
• What does Gerald admit to during the Inspector's questioning?

  He had an affair with Daisy Renton
• What does Mrs. Birling do at the Brumley Women’s Charity Organisation?

  She refuses help to a young, pregnant woman
• Who is revealed to be the father of the unborn child in Act 2?

  Eric Birling
• How does Eric react to the Inspector's revelations?

  He admits to drinking heavily and acting aggressively towards Eva
• What warning does the Inspector give to the Birlings?

  If they don't accept responsibility, "fire and blood and anguish" will follow
• What do Sheila and Eric believe after the Inspector leaves?

  They believe they should learn from the Inspector's visit
• What happens at the end of the play?

  A girl has just died on the way to the Infirmary
• What are the key themes introduced in Act 1?

  • Class and social responsibility
  • The impact of individual actions on others
  • Gender roles and expectations
  • The conflict between capitalism and socialism
• How does Mr. Birling's character reflect capitalist ideals?

  • He prioritizes personal success and wealth.
  • He dismisses social responsibility.
  • He believes in self-reliance and individualism.
  • He is optimistic about the future despite historical evidence.
• How does the structure of Act 1 contribute to the play's themes?

  • Opening lines establish social hierarchy.
  • The dinner setting highlights class distinctions.
  • The Inspector's arrival disrupts the family's celebration.
  • Tension builds through character interactions and revelations.
• What is the significance of the Titanic reference in the play?

  • Represents capitalist optimism and progress.
  • Irony as the audience knows it sank.
  • Highlights Mr. Birling's ignorance of reality.
  • Symbolizes the fragility of human achievements.
• What role does lighting play in the opening scene?

  • Creates a "pink and intimate" atmosphere.
  • Reflects the characters' ignorance of social issues.
  • Sets a false sense of security for the audience.
  • Contrasts with the darker themes revealed later.
• How does Priestley use dramatic irony in the play?

  • Characters make predictions about the future that are proven wrong.
  • Audience knows the consequences of characters' actions.
  • Highlights the disconnect between the upper class and reality.
  • Encourages audience to question authority and social norms.
• What does the character of Inspector Goole symbolize?

  • Represents social conscience and responsibility.
  • Challenges capitalist views held by the Birlings.
  • Embodies the voice of the marginalized.
  • Serves as a catalyst for change in the characters.
• How does the play address the theme of gender roles?

  • Highlights the expectations placed on women.
  • Shows Sheila's evolution and awareness of social issues.
  • Critiques the patriarchal attitudes of characters like Mr. Birling.
  • Reflects the changing views on women's rights in the 1940s.
• What is the significance of the family dynamics in 'An Inspector Calls'?

  • Reflects social hierarchies and class distinctions.
  • Reveals individual characters' flaws and responsibilities.
  • Highlights generational conflicts and differing values.
  • Serves as a microcosm of society's issues.