AIC - Act 2

• How does Eva (then Daisy) think of Gerald, according to Sheila’s assumption?

  A fairy prince - Sheila is also implying that Gerald likes to think of himself in this role. This is confirmed when Gerald admits that he “adored” being loved by her
• What character says this quotation?"You think young women ought to be protected against unpleasant and disturbing things?"

  The inspector - The Inspector responds to Mr Birling's request that Sheila be kept out of the discussion, but he is also implicitly alluding to Eva Smith who had no family to protect her from the likes of the Birlings
• How does the Inspector know about some of Eva/Daisy's feelings after Gerald left?

  From a diary she left behind - Priestley adds this diary device so that the audience can feel more empathy for Eva/Daisy.
• What word completes the quotation?"If there's nothing else, we'll have to share our _____."

  Guilt - The Inspector is challenging Sheila's desire to share the responsibility for Eva Smith's death with others. The idea of sharing is ironic, given that the family have all been selfish in their actions
• What three words complete the quotation?"We all started like that - so confident, so __________ __________ ___________ until he began to ask us questions."

  Pleased with ourselves - Sheila is trying to warn her mother to be honest with the Inspector. She is starting to realise that part of the Inspector's role is to challenge their complacency
• What is the name of the older man who had "wedged" Eva/Daisy into a corner at the Palace bar?

  Alderman Joe Meggarty
• Why is Mrs Birling shocked to hear about Joe Meggarty's womanising and drinking?

  He is meant to be a respectable member of society - Joe Meggarty has the title of Alderman, which is a position of responsibility in the council
• True or false? Eva/Daisy enjoyed Joe Meggarty's company.

  False - Gerald believed that she was very uncomfortable with Meggarty and signalled to him to help her
• What word completes the quotation?"I have gathered that he does __________ pretty hard."

  Drink - Gerald is forced to admit to Mrs Birling that Eric has a reputation for heavy drinking. This is one of the first indications that his parents do not know what Eric gets up to
• What is Gerald's dominant emotion after recounting his involvement with Eva/Daisy?

  Upset - Gerald seems genuinely upset after he has finished his account of his time with Eva/Daisy
• Why does Sheila respect Gerald more after hearing about his involvement with Eva/Daisy?

  He's finally being honest
• True or false? Gerald is absent when Mrs Birling is interviewed.

  True - He goes for a walk
• What word completes the quotation?"You and _ aren't the same people who sat down to dinner here."

  I - Sheila recognises that revelations about past events have changed the way she and Gerald view each other
• True or false? Eric does not appear on stage during Act Two.

  False - Eric actually returns at the very end of Act Two. It's essential that Eric be missing during Mrs Birling's interview, so that she does not immediately realise her son is involved with Eva/Daisy
• When Sheila says that Eric has “slowly been drinking too much for the last two years”, Mrs Birling is “staggered”. What does her shock suggest?

  She still thinks of Eric as a child - Mrs Birling still seems to want to believe that her son is innocent. Sheila says, “this isn’t the time to pretend”, meaning that she believes the evidence of Eric’s drinking is obvious. Gerald agrees with Sheila, adding that he “does drink pretty hard”
• Which word fits in the blank?Gerald describes Daisy's reaction when he broke off their relationship by saying, "She was -- very __________ -- about it."

  Gallant - Meaning brave. Eva/Daisy's response shows her maturity and strength of character.
• How does Gerald help Eva/Daisy at the Palace bar?

  He gets rid of a drunk older man who cornered here - Eva/Daisy is grateful to Gerald for saving her from the advances of an unpleasant, older man. Later on he buys her food and drink at a different location
• What do these stage directions reveal about Sheila's mood as Gerald gives his account of Eva/Daisy?"…with sharp sarcasm ... with irony … cutting in"

  Shiela has her feelings under control and is answering with black humour - Sheila's control in this part of the play shows her maturity and intelligence
• Act Two reveals more about the relationship between Gerald and Sheila. He accuses her of wanting to stay and hear his story to see him "put through it". Why does this shock Sheila?

  It suggests he thinks badly of her - Gerald's accusation makes Sheila realise that he doesn't really know her. She is starting to realise their relationship has not been based on understanding.
• What word, which Sheila thinks is “silly”, does Mrs Birling use to describe the Inspector’s behaviour?

  Impertinent - Mrs Birling uses this word more than once in the play, and it seems to refer to any person, whom she considers to be beneath her own social standing, who attempts to challenge her. Why is it significant that Sheila considers this word to be “silly”?
• In Act Two, Sheila's behaviour towards her parents has changed. For example, she says, "Don't interfere, please, Father. Gerald knows what I mean and you apparently don’t."How do the language choices here compare to those earlier in the play?

  Her language is more forceful and controlled and she is calls her dad "father" instead of "daddy" showing she is now mature
• What word completes the quotation?"He should be made an ___________ of."

  Example - Mrs Birling is quick to cast the responsibility elsewhere. She does not realise she is playing into the Inspector's hands, and that the "drunken young idler" is her son
• What word completes the quotation?"When this comes out at the __________, it isn't going to do us much good."

  Inquest - Mr Birling is worried that the fact Eva Smith was pregnant when she killed herself will cast the family in an unfavourable light. He is concerned with reputation, not the tragedy of the young woman's suicide.
• What two words complete the quotation?"I think you did something __________ __________ - and that you're going to spend the rest of your life regretting it."

  Terribly wrong - The Inspector says this to Mrs Birling as a judgement on her behaviour towards Eva Smith. It also suggests that there are more revelations to come that will shake her.
• What two words complete the quotation?"Birling and Mrs Birling exchange bewildered and __________ __________ glances."

  Rather frightened - The stage direction shows that the Inspector's inquiry has begun to unsettle their sense of complacency. They are worried about why the Inspector is now turning his attention to Eric
• What three words complete the quotation?"You have no hope of __________ __________ __________, Mrs Birling."

  Not discussing it - The Inspector indicates that Mrs Birling, like the rest of her family, will be compelled to confess her part in events. He is the one in charge, despite Mrs Birling's haughty attitude towards him.
• How does Eva/Daisy describe Eric to the Charity board members?

  Silly and wild - Eva/Daisy does not blame Eric and name him in front of the Charity board. She refuses to marry him because he is "silly and wild".
• Who does Mrs Birling blame for Eva/Daisy's situation?

  The father of her child - Mrs Birling ironically blames the father, not realising that her own son is the father.
• True or false? Sheila helps the Inspector to interview her mother.

  True - Sheila demands that her mother answer the questions.
• Who delivers this line? "No, he's giving us rope – so that we'll hang ourselves."

  Shiela - Sheila's use of a metaphor here is striking. The choice of an image linked to death underlines the seriousness of events
• Which character does not see the photograph of Eva/Daisy?

  Gerald - In Act Two, Gerald is not shown the photograph of Eva/Daisy. This opens up the possibility later in the play that some of the characters can claim they could have been shown different photographs of different women.
• Why did Eva/Daisy refuse to take more of Eric's money?

  It was stolen, and she didn't want him to get into any more trouble - Eva/Daisy shows great maturity and dignity in her dealings with Eric
• Sheila shares the Inspector's viewpoint during Act Two and says to her mother, "You mustn't try to build up a kind of wall between us and that girl."What language device is used in this quotation?

  Metaphor - The use of the wall as a metaphor strongly suggests the division between the classes and Mrs Birling's class prejudice.
• Which word fits in the blank?Sheila tells her mother, "we must stop these __________ pretences."

  Silly - The use of the word "silly" suggests that Sheila has lost respect for her mother; it's almost as if they have swapped roles and Sheila has more maturity
• What does this quotation suggest?Mrs Birling says, "You seem to have made a great impression on the child, Inspector."

  Mrs Birling still doesn't view Shiela as an adult - Referring to a woman who is about to be married as "the child" seems to be denying Sheila an identity, as well
• What are some reasons why Eva/Daisy refused Eric's offer of marriage?

  Eric drinks to much and marriage would be wrong for both of them - Eva/Daisy behaves in a dignified way and it's clear she sees that a marriage to Eric would never work
• What is the cliffhanger at the end of Act Two?

  Eric returns just as his mother is starting to realise she has condemned her own son - This moment of high tension could be seen as a climax in the play – the family are all on stage and the final piece in the "chain of events" is about to be revealed.
• What are the purposes of the Inspector's questioning each character separately?

  So the audience has a clear understanding of how each character is involved and so that Mrs Birling will answer the questions, not knowing what her son will say later
• What is a reason why Mrs Birling is so convinced that Eva/Daisy is undeserving of charity?

  She pretends to be married then changes her story - Eva/Daisy did not accept the stolen money, demonstrating that she has moral standards. Religion is not directly mentioned in their conversation
• What does Mrs Birling do when the Inspector shows her a photograph of Eva/Daisy?

  She pretends to not recognise her - Mrs Birling's response shows that she is unwilling to admit she is involved in the "chain of events"