Inspector calls Themes & Characters Flashcards
Arthur Birling
a wealthy businessman, slightly lower in social class than his wife.
Sheila Birling
their daughter. Sheila starts the play as quite an immature character however this changes throughout the play. She stands up to her parents towards the end.
Sybil Birling
Arthur Birling’s wife. She is very concerned with social appearances and position.
Eric Birling
their son. Eric is the youngest in the play and lives a life of parties and socialising. He is described as ‘half-shy, half-assertive.’
Gerald Croft
Sheila’s fiancé and from a socially superior family. Seems to reside somewhere between the older generation and the younger generation.
Eva Smith / Daisy Renton
Supposedly commits suicide prior to the start of the play. The narrative centres around how each member of the family is responsible in some way for her death. We never meet or see her.
Edna
the maid of the Birlings.
Inspector Goole
he police inspector who turns up to question the Birlings and Gerald. Seems almost omniscient (all-knowing) and does not care for the social class of the Birlings. Could be described as Priestley’s mouthpiece who supports his socialist views.
Action towards Eva smith- Mr Birling
Fires Eva smith after she leads a workers strike at his factory.
Action towards Eva smith-Gerald Croft
Engaged to Shelia but had an affair with Daisy Renton
Action towards Eva smith-Sheila Birling
Got Eva dismissed from her job, accused her of laughing at her.
Action towards Eva smith-Mrs Birling
Refuses Daisy economic support at her charity for disadvantaged women.
Action towards Eva smith-Eric Birling
Got her pregnant as well as stolen some money from his father’s business to support Daisy.
Action towards Eva smith- Inspector Goole
Was the voice for Eva smith and held the family accountable for what they did to her
Age Divide
Theme: The older generation and younger generation have very different reactions to the Inspector’s revelations about Eva and their part in her destruction.
