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An Inspector Calls summary notes

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Module
English

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GCSE

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An Inspector Calls

this document is excellent for students as it has the following all in one place(great for revisions) context act summary character analysis language techniques example paragraph and key themes (please note that it says Eduqas however can be used for any exam board)

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Module English
School year 2

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Eduqas GCSE in English Literature – ‘An Inspector Calls’ – J. B. Priestley
Context: Setting:
• The play was written in 1945 but set in 1912, this leads to lots of dramatic irony. • The play is set in the fictional town of ‘Brumley’, an industrial town in the
• The play is set before WW1 which shows that Birling’s optimistic claims about war being unlikely are north of England.
completely wrong. It was written at a time when many people would be recovering from the traumatic • All of the action takes place in the dining room of the Birling household.
impact of WW2. They are a well off family and live in a comfortable house suited to their
• Set at a time of great divisions between the upper and lower classes. wealth and status.
• Women were seen as subservient and inferior to men – rich women had to marry well and poor women • The lighting should be ‘pink and intimate’ at the start of the play but when
were seen as cheap labour. After WW2, women had a much more valued place in society. the Inspector arrives it should become ‘brighter and harder’ which reflects
• In 1945 there was a great desire for change in society and J. B. Priestley wanted to make the most of this. the changing mood in the play.

Plot Summary – Act One Plot Summary – Act Two Plot Summary – Act Three

The Birling family are celebrating Sheila and Gerald’s engagement. Eric is revealed as the father. He stole money from Mr Birling's office
Mr Arthur Birling, Sheila's father, is particular pleased since the to provide money to Eva. Eric is angry at his mother when he learns
Gerald explains to The Inspector that he had an affair with Eva, but
marriage means closer links with Crofts Limited. When the women that she has refused to help Eva.
hasn't seen her since he ended their relationship back in Autumn
leave the room, Mr Birling lectures his son, Eric and Gerald about
1911.
the importance of every man looking out for himself if he wants to The Inspector tells them that they are all partly to blame for Eva's
get on in life. The doorbell rings unexpectedly during Mr Birling's death and warns them of the consequences of people not being
Sheila gives her engagement ring back to Gerald.
speech to Eric and Gerald and Inspector Goole arrives. responsible for each other, "If men will not learn that lesson, when
Inspector Goole says that he is investigating the death of a young they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish".
The Inspector turns his attention to Mrs Sybil Birling, she confesses
woman who committed suicide, Eva Smith.
that she also had contact with Eva, but Eva gave herself a different
Mr Birling is shown a photograph of Eva, after initially denying After Inspector Goole leaves, the family begin to suspect that he was
name to Mrs Birling.
recognising the woman in the photo, he remembers firing her in not a genuine police inspector. A phone call to the Chief Constable
1910 for organising a strike over workers pay. Birling feels justified confirms this. Next, they phone the infirmary to be informed that no
Eva approached a charity chaired by Mrs Birling to ask for help. Eva
for his actions and does not believe he committed any wrongdoing. suicide case has been brought in.
was desperate and pregnant but help was refused by Mrs Birling
The investigation moves to Sheila. Sheila recalls also having Eva
because she was offended by the girl calling herself 'Mrs Birling'. She
sacked about her manner when served by her in an upmarket Mr Birling, Mrs Birling and Gerald congratulate themselves that it
tells Eva that the baby's father should be made entirely responsible.
department store. Sheila regrets her actions and feels hugely guilty was all a hoax and they continue can continue as before. This
and responsible for Eva's death. attitude upsets Sheila and Eric.
She also tells Inspector Goole that the father should be held entirely
The Inspector reveals that Eva Smith changed her name to Daisy
responsible and should be made an example of.
Renton. Gerald acts guilty and Sheila notices his worry, she The phone rings. Mr Birling announces to the family that a girl has
confronts Gerald when the Inspector leaves the room. Gerald just died on her way to the infirmary, a police inspector is coming to
reveals to Sheila he had an affair with Daisy Renton. question them.

Mr Birling Mrs Birling Sheila Eric Gerald The Inspector

• Worked his way up in the world • She is a snob, very aware of the • Even though she seems very • Eric seems embarrassed and • He is an aristocrat. • He works very systematically.
and is proud of his differences between social playful at the opening, we awkward right from the start. • He is not as willing as Sheila to • He is a figure of authority. He
achievements.. classes. know that she has had • It soon becomes clear that he is admit his part in the girl's death deals with each member of the
• Aware of people who are his • She has the least respect for suspicions about Gerald which a hardened drinker. to the Inspector and initially family very firmly.
social superiors. the Inspector of all the maybe suggests she is not as • He feels guilt and pretends that he never knew • He seems to know and
• He is optimistic for the future characters. naïve as she seems. frustration with himself over her. understand an extraordinary
and confident that there will • She sees Sheila and Eric still • She feels full of guilt for her his relationship with the girl. • He did have some genuine amount.
not be a war. As the audience as "children“ and speaks jealous actions and blames • He had some sense of feeling for Daisy Renton. • All this mystery suggests that
knows there will be a war, we patronisingly to them. herself. responsibility, though, because • Despite this, in Act 3 he tries to the Inspector is not a 'real'
begin to doubt Mr Birling's • She tries to deny things that • She is very perceptive: she although he got a woman prove that the Inspector is a person. So, what is he?
judgement. she doesn't want to believe. realises that Gerald knew Daisy pregnant, he was concerned fake - because that would get • Is he a ghost?
• He is extremely selfish. • At the end of the play, like her Renton from his reaction. enough to give her money. him off the hook. Goole reminds us
• At the end of the play, he husband, she refuses to believe • She is curious. • He is appalled by his parents' • At the end of the play, he has of 'ghoul'.
knows he has lost the chance of that she did anything wrong • She is angry with her parents in inability to admit their own not changed. He has not gained • Is he the voice of
his knighthood and his and doesn't accept Act 3 for trying to "pretend that responsibility. a new sense of social Priestley?
reputation but he is unable to responsibility for her part in nothing much has happened." • At the end of the play, like responsibility, which is why • Is he the voice of
admit his responsibility for his Eva's death. • At the end of the play, Sheila is Sheila, he is fully aware of his Sheila (who has) is unsure God?
part in Eva's death. much wiser. social responsibility. whether to take back the • Is he the voice of
engagement ring. our consciences?

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