Act 1

• An Inspector Calls


  Play by J.B. Priestley
• Act 1 summary


  • Introduces the Birling family and Gerald Croft celebrating Sheila and Gerald's engagement
  • Mr. Birling makes a speech about the business benefits of the marriage
  • Inspector Goole arrives and begins questioning the family about the death of a young woman named Eva Smith
• Eva Smith


  Young woman who committed suicide by drinking disinfectant
• Mr. Birling sacks Eva Smith


  Due to her involvement in strike action over wages at his factory
• Sheila complains about Eva at her job

  Eva is sacked from Milwards department store
• Daisy Renton


  Alias used by Eva Smith
• Gerald had a relationship with Daisy Renton


  Which ended six months ago
• The play is set in 1912, before the Titanic sinking, World Wars, and social unrest that Mr. Birling is unaware of
• J.B. Priestley believed a sense of community was essential for a caring society
• The inspector is focused on questioning the characters about their involvement in Eva/Daisy's death
• The play ends with the inspector's final word "It" leading into Act 2