Inspector calls

• Main characters 


  Inspector Goole, Mr Birling, Mrs Birling, Sheila Birling, Eric Birling, Gerald Croft, Eva Smith
• "I'm not going to be bullied by anybody" - Sheila
• "The whole thing is so horrible, it makes one sick." - Gerald
• "It was the first time that he had ever been made to feel uncomfortable about his own conduct" - Eric
• "If we don't look out the working class will take our jobs" - Mr Birling
• "If we don't look out the working class will take our jobs" - Mr Birling
• "We are members of one body...we have responsibilities to each other" - The inspector
• "We are all more or less responsible for Eva Smith's suicide" - Priestley
• The Burling family


  • Wealthy
  • Celebrating the engagement of their daughter Sheila to Gerald Croft
• Gerald Croft


  Sheila's fiancé
• Arthur Burling


  Sheila's father, pleased about the engagement as the Crofts own a successful business
• Arthur Burling is set to receive a Knighthood shortly
• Eric Burling


  The Burling's son, acts strangely and drinks more than he should
• Inspector Goole's visit


  1. Reveals that a young woman named Eva Smith/Daisy Renton had killed herself

  2. Shows a picture of Eva to the Burlings

  3. Reveals Eva's diary which involves the Burlings in her death
• Eva Smith/Daisy Renton


  • Worked at the Burling factory but was fired for instigating a strike for higher wages
  • Committed suicide by drinking disinfectant
• Arthur Burling's reaction to Eva's death


  Not really sorry, more concerned about protecting his profit margins than giving people a decent living wage
• Sheila's reaction to Eva's death

  Feels very guilty, blames herself for causing her death
• Gerald's reaction to Eva's death


  Admits to having an affair with her
• Sybil Burling's reaction to Eva's death


  Refuses to take responsibility, blames the father for not supporting her financially
• Eric Burling's involvement


  He is the father of Eva's child, got her pregnant while heavily drunk
• Inspector Goole: 'Reminds them that they have all played a part in Eva Smith's death and condemns their selfish actions, warns that if this lesson is not learned Society will be taught the hard way in Fire and Blood and anguish'
• The Burlings doubt whether Inspector Goole was a real police officer
• Gerald discovers there have been no recent reports of suicide at the morgue
• The Burlings have learned nothing, only care about their public image
• At the last moment, Mr Burling learns a woman has just died from suicide and an inspector is on his way to question the family
• community and all that nonsense a man has to mind his own business and look after himself: 'Arthur Burling'
• Inspector Goole


  • Makes an enormous impression right away from the moment he steps through the door
• it's my duty to keep labour costs down: 'Mr Birling'
• we're respectable citizens and not criminals: 'Gerald Croft'
• if she'd been some miserable plain little creature I don't suppose I'd have done it: 'Sheila Burling'
• we have to share something if there's nothing else we'll have to share our guilt: 'Inspector Goole'
• girls of that class: 'Mrs Burling'
• she called herself Mrs Burling and naturally that was one of the things that prej pred me against her case: 'Mrs Burling'
• I wasn't in love with her or anything she was pretty and a good sport: 'Eric'
• we are members of one body if men will not learn that lesson then they will be taught it in Fire and Blood and anguish: 'Inspector Goole'
• it's still the same rotten story whether it's been told to a Police Inspector or to somebody else: 'Sheila'
• everything's all right now: 'Gerald'
• Eva Smith may not have just been one girl but several and also it seems she never even died
• Sheila realizes things need to change


  But women did not have the vote in 1912
• Rational


  (in classical economic theory) economic agents are able to consider the outcome of their choices and recognise the net benefits of each one