Inspector Calls

• What event does the Biring family celebrate at the beginning of the play?

  Sheila's engagement
• Who arrives to investigate the death of Eva Smith?

  Inspector Goole
• Why was Eva Smith fired from Mr. Birling's factory?

  Because she wanted higher wages
• What influence did Sheila Birling have on Eva Smith's employment?

  She used her influence to have Eva Smith sacked from Milward's
• What name did Eva Smith change to?

  Daisy Renton
• How does Gerald Croft react to the name Daisy Renton?

  He shows immediate recognition and reacts strongly
• What did Gerald admit to doing for Eva/Daisy?

  He offered her a place to stay and gave her money
• What action does Sheila take after learning about Gerald's affair?

  She breaks off her engagement to Gerald
• What does Mrs. Birling eventually admit regarding Eva Smith?

  She used her influence to ensure Eva was refused help from a charity
• Who is revealed to be the father of Eva's child?

  Eric Birling
• What did Eric Birling do to support Eva when she was pregnant?

  He gave her money stolen from his father's business
• What was Eva's response to Eric's marriage proposal?

  She refused both his marriage proposal and the money
• What is the main warning in the Inspector's final speech?

  People must care for everyone or they will be taught a painful lesson
• How do the younger and older generations react differently to the Inspector's revelations?

  The younger generation shows regret, while the older generation does not change
• What are the main themes presented in the play?


  • Consequence
  • Class
  • Prejudice
  • Capitalism
  • Family
  • Injustice
  • Socialism
  • Remorse
  • Responsibility
  • Redemption
  • Hypocrisy
  • Supernatural
• What is the role of the Inspector in the play?

  He highlights the importance of social responsibility and investigates each character's contribution to Eva Smith's death
• How does Sheila Birling's character change throughout the play?

  She becomes more independent and shows remorse for her previous behavior
• What does Gerald Croft claim about his absence from Sheila during the play?

  He claims he was kept away due to business
• How is Eva Smith characterized in the play?

  She represents ordinary working-class women who have no support when unemployed and pregnant
• What is the structure of the play "An Inspector Calls"?

  • Written in three acts
  • Each act ends with a cliffhanger
  • The play is cyclical, linking the last act to the first
• What historical context influenced the writing of "An Inspector Calls"?

  Priestley wrote it during the winter of 1944-1945, reflecting on the suffering after World War II
• What dramatic irony is present in Mr. Birling's speech at the beginning of the play?

  He claims there isn't a chance of war and that the Titanic is unsinkable, reflecting his ignorance
• What does the Inspector's final warning emphasize about societal responsibility?

  It emphasizes that society must recognize they are responsible for one another
• What are the key vocabulary terms related to the play's themes and structure?


  • Dramatic Irony
  • Characterisation
  • Hyperbole
  • Metaphor
  • Stage Directions
  • Simile
  • Foreshadowing
  • Interrogative Tone
  • Exclamatory Tone
  • Satire
  • Allegory
  • Naturalistic
  • Dialogue
  • Genre
  • Structure and Form
• What does the cyclical structure of the play signify?

  It signifies that lessons have not been learned and events may repeat
• What is the significance of the Welfare State mentioned in relation to Eva Smith?

  It highlights the need for social support for ordinary working-class women
• How does Priestley use the concept of "Time" in "An Inspector Calls"?

  It allows characters to examine the consequences of their actions and offers them a chance to change
• What does the final climax of the play reveal about the characters' learning from their experiences?

  It shows that the characters have not learned from their actions, similar to the lessons from WW1 and WW2
• What tips are provided for analyzing characters and events in the play?

  • Support points with references to characters and events
  • Refer back to the question set
  • Use the provided extract for language analysis