Plot and Structure Act 1 Part 1

Question 1

Who are the characters in An Inspector Calls act 1 Part 1?

Answer 1

1. Arthur Birling - a manufacturer
2. Mrs Birling - his wife
3. Sheila and Eric - their children
4. Gerald - son of Sir George and Lady Croft
5. Edna - the maid

Question 2

Where is the play’s setting established?

Answer 2

The Birlings dining room in the city of Brumley. North Midlands.

Question 3

Why is Sheila’s marriage beneficial to Mr Birling?

Answer 3

Will be useful for his business and social ambitions.

Question 4

What are Mr Birlings world views?

Answer 4

He has no concern for his workers welfare and that his judgement about world events are poor.

Question 5

What are the key themes introduced?

Answer 5

1. Inequality between the rich and the poor.
2. Social responsibility
3. Morality and judgement
4. Relationships between men and women.

Question 6

What happens at the start of the play?

Answer 6

1. Birlings are having a celebratory dinner for the engagement of Sheila and Gerald.
2. Sheila teases Gerald for neglecting her last summer. Eric, slightly drunk is an embarrassment.
3. Mr Birling emphasises the profits to be made should the Briling and Crofts business combine. Gerald produes an engagement ring.
4. Mr Birling dismisses the recent strikes and predicts a rosy future for business with no possibility of war.

Question 7

What happens after the women and Eric exit?

Answer 7

1. Birling tells Gerald that he may get a knighthood, although there are no certainties. They jpke about avoiding scandal. Eric returns, still “squiffy”.
2. Mr Birling declares that a man’sonly responsibility is to himself and to his family.
3. Edna announces the arrival of a police inspector on an important matter.

Question 8

What are 5 key quotations?

Answer 8

1. “At the moment they have all had a good dinner and are celebrating a special occasion “
2. “Men with important work to do sometimes have to spend nearly all their time and energy on their business “
3. “Unless Erics been up to something”
4. “A man has to look after himself and his own”
   5.”You’ll hear some people say that war’s inevitable. And to that I say - fiddlesticks! “