Plot an inspector calls Flashcards
Key plot details (8)
An inspector arrives at the Birling house. He tells them how a girl called Eva Smith has killed herself by drinking disinfectant - he wants to ask them some questions.
The Inspector reveals that the girl used to work in Arthur Birling’s factory and he had her sacked for going on strike. Mr Birling refuses to accept any responsibility for her death.
The Inspector then reveals that Sheila thought that Eva had made fun of her, complained and got her sacked. Sheila is deeply ashamed and feels responsible for the girl’s death.
The Inspector forces Gerald to confess to an affair he had with Eva. Sheila respects Gerald’s honesty but returns the engagement ring he gave her.
It is revealed that Sybil Birling had refused to help the pregnant Eva.
It turns out that it was Eric who got Eva pregnant, and stole money from his father to help her.
The Inspector leaves. The family ring the infirmary and there is no record of a girl dying from drinking disinfectant.
Suddenly the phone rings, Mr Birling answers it, to his horror the phone call reveals that a young woman has just died from drinking disinfectant and the police are on their way to question them about it. The curtain falls and the play ends.
Act 1
at the start stage direction is The house is described as “not cosy and homelike,” and the lighting is to become “brighter and harder” once Inspector Goole arrives. The play opens with the Birling family and Gerald Croft celebrating the engagement of Sheila Birling and Gerald.
During the celebration, Mr. Birling gives a speech, expressing his happiness about the engagement, as Gerald’s family is wealthy.
Mr. Birling is untrustworthy. Eric Birling appears distracted and drunk, and Sheila lightly teases Gerald about his neglect the previous summer. Just as Mr. Birling insists that “a man has to make his own way,” Inspector Goole arrives.
The Inspector reveals that a girl, Eva Smith, has died by suicide, shocking the family. Mr. Birling is interrogated first. Eva used to work in his factory but was fired after leading a group asking for higher wages.
Act 2
He then questions Sheila, who is deeply upset by the news. Sheila admits to having made a complaint about Eva at the department store Milwards, which led to Eva’s second dismissal. Sheila regrets her actions
The Inspector then reveals that Eva changed her name to Daisy Renton. This shakes Gerald, who admits to Sheila that he had an affair with Daisy over the summer, which is why he had neglected her. Despite respecting his honesty, Sheila returns his engagement ring.
The focus shifts to Mrs. Birling, a member of the Brumley Women’s Charity Organisation. Mrs. Birling reveals that just two weeks earlier, Daisy, using the name “Mrs. Birling,” sought help from the charity. Offended by the name, Mrs. Birling denied her aid. The Inspector discloses that Daisy was pregnant, and Mrs. Birling insists that the father should be held accountable
Act 3
Eric confesses that he was the one who got Daisy pregnant. He admits to heavy drinking and explains how, during a night out, he pressured Daisy into letting him into her lodgings, resulting in them sleeping together. When he learned Daisy was pregnant, he wanted to help by giving her money, but she refused after discovering the money was stolen from his father’s business. Eric, like Sheila, is deeply ashamed of his actions.
As the family argues, the Inspector interrupts with a speech about collective responsibility, warning of severe consequences if people do not care for one another. After he leaves, Gerald returns with news that there is no Inspector Goole on the force.
Gerald calls the local infirmary and learns that no girl has recently died from drinking disinfectant, leading Mr. and Mrs. Birling and Gerald to believe they are not to blame. However, Eric and Sheila still feel guilty about their behavior, regardless of the Inspector’s authenticity.
Just as Mr. Birling begins mocking the situation, the phone rings. To his horror, it is the police, informing him that a girl has just died after drinking disinfectant, and a real officer is coming to question them. The play ends as the curtain falls.
Social and historical context
An Inspector Calls was first performed in 1945 at a time of great change - both World Wars were fresh in the minds of the people, women had become more prominent in the workplace and it was possible to be
class mobile.
It is set in 1912 - this means that the characters have no knowledge of these world events. Priestley uses this to make important points about society and responsibility.
