play/plot summary

• What is the name of the town where the story takes place?

  Brumley
• Who is the daughter of the Burling family?

  Sheila
• Who is Sheila engaged to?

  Gerald Croft
• Why is Arthur Burling pleased about the engagement?

  It will mean more money for them
• What significant event is Arthur Burling expecting?

  A Knighthood
• What does Mr. Burling prioritize over social responsibility?

  Protecting profit margins
• Who interrupts Mr. Burling's speech?

  Inspector Ghoul
• Why does Inspector Goole visit the Burling family?

  To investigate Eva Smith's suicide
• How did Eva Smith die?

  By drinking disinfectant
• What was Mr. Burling's connection to Eva Smith?

  He fired her for instigating a strike
• How does Mr. Burling react to his involvement in Eva's death?

  He refuses to take responsibility
• What does Sheila admit about her actions towards Eva Smith?

  She used her influence to have her fired
• What does Sheila feel after realizing her role in Eva's death?

  Guilt
• What second name does Eva Smith go by?

  Daisy Renton
• How does Gerald react when Sheila accuses him of an affair?

  He begs her not to tell the inspector
• What does Sheila do after discovering Gerald's affair?

  She hands back her engagement ring
• What did Sybil Burling do to Eva Smith two weeks prior?

  Turned her away from charity
• How does Sybil justify her actions regarding Eva Smith?

  She blames the father for not supporting her
• Who is revealed to be the father of Eva's child?

  Eric Burling
• How did Eric get Eva pregnant?

  By taking advantage of her while drunk
• What amount of money did Eric steal to support Eva?

  50 pounds
• What does Inspector Goole remind the Birlings about their actions?

  They all played a part in Eva's death
• What warning does Inspector Goole leave with the Birlings?

  Society will be taught the hard way
• How do Mr. and Mrs. Birling react after the inspector leaves?

  They are upset about their reputation
• What suspicion arises about the inspector's identity?

  He may not be a real inspector
• What does Gerald discover about the morgue?

  No recent reports of suicide
• What do the children remind their parents about their actions?

  They have done horrendous things to people
• What happens at the end of the story?

  A woman has died from suicide
• What does Mr. Burling learn from the phone call at the end?

  An inspector is coming to question them