AIC Act 1

• Act 1


  The first act of the play
• Act I begins


  1. In the Birlings' dining room

  2. Audience is introduced to the Birling family (Arthur, Sybil and their two children, Sheila and Eric) and Gerald Croft
• Arthur delivers a pompous speech but is interrupted by Inspector Goole who wishes to inquire about a girl who died in the Infirmary several hours ago, having swallowed disinfectant
• Arthur is instantly dismissive of the Inspector


  But when shown a photograph of the girl, he admits she was a former employee of his
• Arthur admits the girl, Eva Smith, had been dismissed from his factory two years previously for her participation in a strike for higher pay
• The Inspector insinuates Eva's dismissal from the factory


  May have resulted in her suicide
• Sheila confesses she was responsible for Eva losing her next job in a dress shop
• The Inspector reveals Eva changed her name to Daisy Renton, which disconcerts Gerald
• The Inspector exits the dining room

  Leaving Sheila and Gerald alone
• Suspecting Gerald had an affair with Eva, Sheila confronts him and he confesses
• The Inspector returns


  And the scene ends