Act 1 Summary Flashcards
How does Act 1 begin?
In the dining room of the Birlings house
What are they doing at the beginning of act 1?
celebrating Sheilas engagement to Gerald. Mr Birling is clearly egotistical and is constantly talking about the war and the titanic (dramatic irony)
When does the inspector arrive?
At the celebration of the engagement, and he interrupts Mr birlings speech
What does the Inspector tell them?
He reveals that a girl named Eva Smith had committed suicide from drinking disinfectant
How do the Birlings and Gerald react to the news of the suicide?
All are shocked, and all deny knowing Eva. After some investigation, it comes to light that Mr Birling knew Eva and had sacked her from his factory after denying higher wages.
How does Sheila react to the reveal that Eva was sacked from Mr Birling’s company?
She is very distressed at her fathers contributions to her suicide and his dismissive behaviour (this is the beginning of her to change towards socialism)
What is revealed after Mr Birlings contribution to Eva’s death is revealed?
Sheila had a part to play in the suicide. She got Eva sacked from a shop called Milwards, as she thought Eva was smirking at her.
What does Sheila show after having realised she contributed to Evas suicide?
intense remorse and is extremely upset
What does Gerald reveal and when does he reveal it?
Gerald sees how the Inspector is getting confessions from everyone in the household, so he decides to confess to Sheila that he had a relationship with Eva. He begs Sheila not to tell the Inspector, to which she says the Inspector would already know.
This happens after Sheila shows intense remorse as ehr contribution to the suicide comes to light.
