An Inspector Calls

• Who is mocked for caring about Eva?

  Sheila and Eric
• What does the phrase "mixed up like bees in a hive" suggest about the idea of community?

  It ridicules the idea of every class working together
• What does Mr and Mrs Birling refuse to accept?

  Any sort of responsibility for what happened
• What does Mr. Birling express a willingness to give thousands for?

  To avoid responsibility
• What does Mr. Birling prioritize over workers' welfare?

  Lower costs and higher prices
• How does Mr. Birling's attitude reflect his character?

  He wants to increase his own capital
• What does Mr. Birling threaten his son over?

  Money and pregnancy
• How does the Geralds demeanor change during the play?

  He becomes unnerved and dramatic
• What does Priestly's mockery of Birling's arrogance reveal?

  It exposes the tension in the narrative
• What does the abrupt language used by Birling indicate?

  He is dismissive and patronizing towards children
• How does Birling feel about the younger generation's opinions?

  He is unmoved by what they have to say
• What does Mrs Birling express about her capability to show empathy?

  She shows a lack of empathy towards the lower class
• What does Mrs. Birling believe about Eva's claims?

  They are absurd for a girl of her position
• What distinction does Mrs. Birling draw between Eva and herself?

  She suggests that lower-class girls are not equal to her
• How does Mrs. Birling's embarrassment about her husband reflect her character?

  She tries to make him seem respectable
• What does Birling imply about the morals of those in poverty?

  Poverty is linked to a lack of morals
• Who does Mrs. Birling blame for Eva's situation?

  The young man who was the father of the child
• What does Priestly's setup of Mrs. Birling reveal about her character?

  It makes her look foolish
• What does Gerald’s character reveal about masculinity during the time?

  He lacks responsibility and uses excuses
• What does Eric's statement about the family suggest?

  He is ashamed that his family is so oblivious about the reality of the working class
• What does Eric say about the impact of Mrs Birlings actions?

  He killed Eva and his own grandchild
• How does Eric's character evolve throughout the play?

  He begins to feel guilt and responsibility
• What does the phrase "the fact remains" imply about change?

  It suggests that change is possible in the future
• What does Sheila's character represent about the younger generation?

  Sheila shows a willingness to change
• How does Sheila feel about her actions towards Eva?

  She feels rotten about it
• What are the key themes presented in the text?

  • Class distinction and social responsibility
  • The impact of individual actions on others
  • The evolution of the younger generation's perspectives
  • The critique of capitalist values
• How does Priestly use characters to convey social messages?

  • Mr. Birling represents capitalist arrogance
  • Mrs. Birling embodies social elitism
  • Eric illustrates the consequences of irresponsibility
  • Sheila shows the potential for change in the younger generation
• Inspector Goole and Eva Smith


  Knows her story, reveals the truth, saves Birling's reputation, and mirrors her struggles
• Inspector Goole's Character Isolation


  Mysterious, poorly dressed, and detached, representing detachment and anonymity
• Inspector Goole


  Catalyst for confrontation, revelation, justice, and social commentary
• Birling's Change and Others


  Affects his wife, son-in-law, and Inspector Goole, leading to self-reflection and personal growth
• Birling's Character Change


  Initially pompous and self-important, later remorseful and humbled
• Eva's Death Significance


  Echoes class struggles, exposes characters' morality, illuminates consequences of actions, and provides a turning point
• Consequences of Characters' Actions


  Guilt, breakdown, self-interest, and corruption
• Gerald Croft's Character Evolution


  Charming and selfish → conscience-stricken and emotionally vulnerable
• Gerald and Eva's Relationship


  Exploitative, transactional, lack of emotional connection, power imbalance
• Gerald's Treatment of Eva


  Coercive, manipulative, emotional cruelty, lack of accountability
• Gerald's Behavior and Power Dynamics


  Class privilege, gender dynamics, power imbalance, systemic oppression
• Eva's Class and Responsibility


  Working-class background, economic insecurity, guilt and shame, loss of innocence, search for identity