AIC Plot

• AIC Plot Summary

  
• Plot Overview


  An Inspector Calls is a three-act play with one setting: the dining room of the Birling family. The play is set in 1912 in the fictional city of Brumley, in the north of England. Arthur and Sybil Birling, their two children, Sheila and Eric, and their visitor, Gerald Croft, have just finished a celebratory dinner following Sheila's engagement to Gerald.
• Inspector's Arrival and Revelations

  1. A police inspector arrives at the Birlings' house and informs them that a young girl, Eva Smith, has committed suicide after having swallowed disinfectant

  2. It is revealed that Eva used to work in Arthur Birling's factory and had subsequently been dismissed for her participation in a pay strike

  3. The Inspector further reveals that Sheila was also responsible for having Eva dismissed from her next job as an assistant in a dress shop, after making a complaint about Eva's conduct towards her

  4. When the Inspector reveals that Eva had changed her name to Daisy Renton, Gerald confesses to having had an affair with her

  5. Sybil Birling is also forced to confess to having known Eva. Sybil had refused Eva's application for aid from her charitable organisation after she discovered the girl was pregnant

  6. Eric admits to having got Eva pregnant and having stolen money from his father in order to help her

  7. The Inspector rebukes the Birling family and Gerald for their involvement with Eva and how their actions have led to her death
• The Inspector leaves


  Gerald learns that the Inspector appears to have been a fraud
• Arthur rings the Chief Constable


  They confirm their suspicion that the Inspector was a fraud
• Mr. and Mrs. Birling and Gerald rejoice


  On having avoided a public scandal regarding Eva
• Sheila and Eric are distraught

  Over their poor behaviour toward the girl
• Arthur rings the Infirmary

  He is informed there are no recent admission records of a girl who has died from suicide
• As Gerald attempts to return the engagement ring to Sheila


  The telephone rings. A police inspector is on his way to the house to make inquiries about a girl who has just died on her way to the Infirmary, having swallowed disinfectant
• The play ends