EnglishLiterature:Paper2
‘AnInspectorCalls’
StokeNewingtonSchoolRevisionBooklet
Name:………………………………………..
Teacher:…………………………………….
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Contents
• Plotsummary
• Keyinformationoncharacters
• Context
• Themes
• Keyquotations
• Sampleessayquestions
• Revisiongrid
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PlotSummary
ActOne
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TheBirlingfamilyandGeraldCroftarecelebratingSheila’sengagementtoGerald
Althoughthereareafewsignsthatnoteverythingisperfect(MrBirlingistooanxioustoimpressGerald,Eric
seemsnervousandSheilamentionsthatGeralddidnotcomenearhertheprevioussummer)thereisa
happy,light-heartedatmosphere.
MrBirlingmakesarrogantspeeches,tellingtheothercharactershisviewsonscience,theTitanicandthe
relationshipbetweenbossesandworkers,sayingthataman‘hastomindhisownbusinessandlookafter
himself’
Hisspeechisinterruptedbythearrivalofapoliceinspector,namedGoole.InspectorGooleisinvestigating
thesuicideofayoungwomannamedEvaSmith
TheInspectorshowsMrBirlingaphotographofEvaSmith.MrBirlingadmitsheemployedherinhisfactory
butsackedherfordemandinghigherwages.
SheilaisshownthephotographandrealisesthatshehadEvaSmithsackedfromhernextjobasashop
assistant,becauseshethoughtEvaSmithlaughedather.
TheInspectorrevealsthatEvaSmithchangedhernametoDaisyRenton.Gerald’sreactionmakesitobvious
thathealsoknewthegirl.
TheInspectorsuggeststhatmanypeopleshareresponsibilityforthemiserywhichpromptedEvaSmith/
DaisyRentontoendherlife.
ActTwo
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GeraldadmitshemetDaisyRentoninthespringofthepreviousyearandthatshewashismistress.
Sheilaishurtandangry,yetshepraisesGeraldforatleastbeinghonest.
MrsBirlingtriestobullytheInspectorandcontrolevents.
WhileEricisoutoftheroom,MrsBirlingisforcedtoadmitthatEva/Daisyaskedforthehelpofhercharity,
butthatMrsBirlingrefusedtohelpher.ShewasoffendedbecauseEvaSmithcalledherself‘MrsBirling’
Itisrevealedthatthegirlwaspregnant.MrsBirlinglaystheblameforthegirl’sdeathonthefatherofthe
unbornchild.
Atthismoment,Ericenterstheroomagain.
ActThree
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EricconfessesthathegotEvaSmithpregnantandthathestolemoneyfromhisfather’sfirmtosupporther.
EriclearnsthathismotherhadrefusedtohelpEvaSmith.HeblameshismotherforEva’sdeath.
TheBirlingfamilybegintoaccuseoneanotherangrily.Thefamilyatmospherehaschangedcompletelyfrom
thepolitesceneatthestartoftheplay.
TheInspectortakeschargeandmakesadramaticspeechabouttheimportanceofsocialresponsibility.He
leaves.
GeraldandMrBirlingbegintosuspecttheInspector.Theygraduallyprovethatthemanwhocalledon
themwasnotarealpoliceinspector.
AtelephonecalltotheInfirmary(hospital)revealsthattherehasbeennorecentsuicide.
EricandSheilastillfeelguilty,buttheothersnowshrugoffguild.
MrBirlinganswersthetelephone:ayoungwomanhasjustdiedandaninspectorisonhiswaytomake
enquires.
Theplayendshere,leavingtheaudiencewonderingwhotheoriginalInspectorwasandwhyhistoryseems
toberepeatingitself…
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CharacterAnalysis:MrBirling
“Ispeakasa
hard-headed
practicalman
ofbusiness”
“There’llbea
publicscandal”
“TheTitanicsailsnext
week…unsinkable,
absolutely
unsinkable”
“Look,Inspector–
I’dgivethousands
–yes,thousands”
Structure
WhoisMrBirling?
MrBirlingisasuccessfulbusinessman,whohas
beenLordMayorofBrumley.Heisthefatherof
SheilaandEric.
WhatdoesMrBirlingdo?
• MrBirlinghoststhedinnertocelebrate
Sheila’sengagementtoGeraldCroft.
• Heclaimsthataman’sresponsibilityisonly
tohimselfandhisfamily.
• TwoyearsagohefiredEvaSmithfromhis
factory.
• Heisonlyconcernedwithprotectinghis
reputationandavoidingascandal.
Opening:TheplayopenswithMrBirlingaskingfortheport
tobepoured.BirlingistryingtoimpressGeraldbychoosing
thesameportasGerald’sfatherlikes.Priestleyisusingthe
portasasymboltorevealthatMrBirlingisamaterialistic
characterwhocaresabouthisstatusandreputationabove
allelse.
TheInspector’sEntrance:JustbeforetheInspectorarrives,
MrBirlingdismissessocialistviewsofcommunityas
‘nonsense’andclaimsthataman‘hastomindhisown
businessandlookafterhimself’.TheinterruptionofBirling’s
speechforeshadowsthattheInspectorwilldisruptthese
arrogantviews.
Ending:Bytheendingoftheplay,MrBirlinghasnot
changed.HeisdelightedwhenhediscoverstheInspectoris
afake,shownbytherepeatedstagedirection
‘triumphantly’.PriestleyrevealsthatcapitalistslikeMr
Birlingaretooselfishtochange.
MrBirlingtheCapitalist
MrBirlingisacapitalistwhovaluesbusinessandprofitaboveallelse.Hemakeshisviewsclearintheearly
speechesinAct1,andthesedonotchange.
Priestley’smessage
PriestleyusesMrBirlingasasymboltorepresenttheselfishnessandarroganceofcapitalistsinEdwardian
society.PriestleywantedhisaudiencetodislikeMrBirlingandtoseehimasafool.Byrejectingthe
attitudesheldbyMrBirling,Priestley’saudiencewouldleadamoreresponsible,socialistlife.
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CharacterAnalysis:MrsBirling
AboutEva:
“Agirlofthatsort”
“Goandlookfor
thefatherofthe
child.It’shis
responsibility.”
AboutGerald’saffair:
“It’sdisgustingtome.”
WhoisMrsBirling?
MrsBirlingisanimportantmemberofthe
BrumleyWomen’sCharityOrganisation.Sheis
themotherofSheilaandEric.
WhatdoesMrsBirlingdo?
• MrsBirlingtreatstheInspectorasan
inferior.
• SheisdisgustedwhenshelearnsthatEva/
DaisywasGerald’smistress.
• Shepersuadedthecharitynottohelpthe
pregnantgirl.
• Sheblamesthegirls’deathonthefather
ofthechild–whoturnsouttobeherson.
• Sheclaimsshewastheonlyonenotto
‘givein’totheInspector.
Structure
Opening:MrsBirlingshowshernarrow-mindednessfromherearly
lines.WhenSheilaquestionswhereGeraldwasallsummer,Mrs
Birlingwarnsherthatmenhaveimportantworktodoandshouldn’t
bequestioned.ShepraisesGeraldforhistimingofthepresentation
ofthering.
TheInspector’sEntrance:MrsBirlingisoffstagewhentheInspector
arrives,anddoesnotre-enteruntilActTwo.Atthispoint,she
enters‘self-confidently’andattemptstodismisstheInspector’s
investigation,callingitan‘absurdbusiness’.Thisindicatesher
arroganceandunwillingnesstolistenortochange.Evenafter
admittingthatshehasmetEva,MrsBiringreferstoheronlyasa
‘girl’,notbyhername,asthoughEvaisnotworthyofbeing
recognisedasanindividual.MrsBirlingimpliesthatawomanin
Eva’spositionisnotcapableofthesamelevelofemotionor
moralityassomebodyintheupperormiddleclass.
Ending:Bytheendoftheplay,MrsBirlinghasnotchanged.She
seemsthemostresistanttotheInspector’smessage.Priestley
showsthatshehasalackofunderstandingofhowotherpeoplelive
andthinksthatallclassesbehaveinacertainway.Thespeedat
whichsherecoversaftertheInspectorleavesreflectshercoldness
andlackofconscience.Herlastlineintheplayisapredictionthat
theywillallbe‘amused’bytheInspector’svisitinthemorning–a
predictionthatshowshowlittleshehasunderstood.
MrsBirlingthesnob
MrsBirlingisacapitalistandasnobwhovaluessocialclassaboveallelse.Sheisanignorantcharacter,who
doesn’tthinkthereareanyproblemsinherfamilyandstrugglestobelievethatEricdrinksheavilyorthathe
wasthefatherofEva’schild.
Priestley’smessage
PriestleyusesMrsBirlingasasymboltorepresentthewealthier,privilegedclassesandtheirselfishattitudes.
Sheseestheworkingclassasmorallyinferior.PriestleywantedhisaudiencetodespiseMrsBirlingandthe
ignorantsocialsnobberysherepresents.
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CharacterAnalysis:SheilaBirling
“Thesegirlsaren’t
cheaplabour–
they’repeople.”
ToMrsBirling:
“Youmustn’ttryto
buildupakindof
wallbetweenus
andthatgirl.”
“(miserably)SoI’m
reallyresponsible?”
WhoisSheilaBirling?
SheilaisthedaughterofMrandMrsBirlingand
atthestartoftheplayisengagedtoGeraldCroft.
WhatdoesSheilado?
• Sheilashowsrealemotionwhenshehears
thatayoungwomanhasdied.
• ShewasresponsibleforgettingEvaSmith
firedfromherjobinthedressshop.
• SherealisestheInspectorisimportantand
shouldnotbeignored/liedto.
• AfterhearingaboutGerald’saffair,she
breaksoffherengagementwithhim.
• SherevealsthatEricdrinkstoomuch.
• Sheunderstandsthatthefamilyneedsto
takeresponsibilityforwhattheyhavedone
andtochangetheirtreatmentofworking
classpeople.
Structure
Opening:Atthestartoftheplay,Sheilaisplayfulandselfcentred,enjoyingtheattentionherengagementbrings.Sheis
particularlyexcitedabouttheengagementring,callingit
‘wonderful!’.Atfirst,Sheilaseemssuperficialandmaterialistic
liketherestofherfamily.
TheInspector’sEntrance:WhenSheilameetstheInspector,
sheshowsasensitivesidetohernature.SherespondstoEva
Smithasaperson,notascheaplabour,andcriticisesher
father.Whensherealisesherjealousyandbadtempercaused
Evatoloseherjob,sheisgenuinelysorry.
Ending:Bytheendoftheplay,SheilaBirlinghaschangedmore
thananyothercharacter.Sherefusestocontinuethe
engagementwithGeraldbytheendoftheplay,eventhough
heclaims‘everything’sallrightnow’.Sheunderstandsthe
importanceoftheInspector’smessage,andevenechoeshis
words,‘fireandbloodandanguish’.Thesethingsallhelpto
makeheramoresympatheticcharacter.
Sheilathesocialist
SheilashowsgenuineconcernforEvaSmithandunderstandstheInspector’smessage.Sheformsacontrastto
hernarrow-minded,materialisticparents.
Priestley’smessage
PriestleyusesSheila,alongwithEric,asasymboltorepresenttheyoungergenerationandsocialism.Sheila
givestheaudiencehopethattheirsocietycanimproveifpeopletakeresponsibilityfortheimpactoftheir
actions.YoucouldalsoarguethatSheilacomestoreflectnewideasaboutgenderequality,connectedtothe
suffragettemovementoftheperiod–shechallengestheoutdatedattitudesofherfather,motherandGerald
Croft.
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CharacterAnalysis:EricBirling
Aboutforcinghisway
intoEvaSmith’srooms:
“Iinsisted…Iwasinthat
statewhenachapeasily
turnsnasty.”
ToMrsBirling,onlearningthat
sherefusedEva/Daisyhelp:
“Youkilledher…andthechild
she’dhavehadtoo–mychild
–yourowngrandchild–damn
you,damnyou”
ToMrBirling:
“Whyshouldn’ttheytryfor
higherwages?”
WhoisEricBirling?
EricisthesonofMrandMrsBirling.Heis
employedinhisfather’sbusiness,drinksmore
thanisgoodforhimandisthefatherofEva’s/
Daisy’schild.
WhatdoesEricdo?
• Ericdrinkstoomuchatthefamilydinner.
• EricmetEva/DaisyinthebarofthePalace
Theatre.
• EricforcedhiswayintoEva’s/Daisy’srooms
andmadeherpregnant.
• Hestolemoneyfromhisfather’sfirmtogive
toEva/Daisy.
• Heaccuseshismotherofkillingherown
unborngrandchild.
• Heacceptshisguilt,whethertheInspectoris
arealpoliceofficerornot.
Structure
Opening:Atthestartoftheplay,Erichasclearlyhadtoomuch
todrink.Hisfirstactionisto‘guffaw’suddenly.Sheilathen
describeshimas‘squiffy’(drunk).Thispreparestheaudience
forwhatwelaterlearnabouthisdrunkenbehaviourwithEva/
Daisy.However,Ericalreadyseemstobelessignorantthanhis
father,andattemptstochallengehispredictionsaboutthe
future,askinghimquestionslike‘Whataboutwar?’
TheInspector’sEntrance:Ericrespondswithrealemotion
whenhearingofEva’sdeath,crying‘involuntarily’‘MyGod!’.
Healsocriticiseshisfather’streatmentofEvaSmith,callingit
‘toughluck’and‘adam’shame’.
Ending:Bytheendoftheplay,Eric,likehissisterSheila,
becomesawareofhisownresponsibilities,realisingthathe
hasplayedapartinEvaSmith’sdeath.
Ericthechangedman
Ericwaspartofthe‘chainofevents’thatledtoEvaSmith’sdeath,byhavingaflingwithherandgettingher
pregnant.Atthestartoftheplay,hewasjustliketheothers–abusinghispoweroveraworkingclassgirl.
However,heacceptsresponsibilityandisashamedofhisbehaviour,sotheaudienceismorelikelytoforgivehim.
Priestley’smessage
Atfirst,PriestleyusesEric’sactionstosymbolisehowcapitalistsabusetheirpowerovertheworkingclass(for
example,treatingEvaSmith‘asifshewereananimal,athing,notaperson’).YoucouldarguethatEric’srapeof
EvaSmithrepresentshowcapitalistsfiguratively‘rape’thepoor.
However,Ericdoeschangeintheplay.Bytheend,Eric,likehissister,isusedbyPriestleyasasymboltorepresent
theyoungergenerationandsocialism.Ericgivestheaudiencehopethattheirsocietycanimproveifpeopletake
responsibilityfortheimpactoftheiractions.
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CharacterAnalysis:GeraldCroft
AboutEva/Daisy:
“Shewasyoungand
prettyandwarmhearted–and
intenselygrateful.”
“I’mrathermore–upset–
bythisbusinessthanI
probablyappeartobe–”
“Thereisn’tanysuch
inspector.We’ve
beenhad.”
WhoisGeraldCroft?
Geraldisthesonofawealthyindustrialistand
businessrivalofMrBirling.Atthestartofthe
play,hehasjustbecomeengagedtoSheila
Birling.Geraldisslightlysociallysuperiortothe
Birlings–heisupperclass/aristocratic.
WhatdoesGeralddo?
• GeraldgivesSheilaanengagementringatthe
startofthedinnerparty.
• HeagreeswithMrBirlingaboutthewaya
businessshouldberun.
• HehadanaffairwithEva/Daisyforsix
months,thenbrokeofftheirrelationship.
• Attheendoftheplay,hefindsoutthata
policesergeanthasneverheardofInspector
Goole.
• HetelephonestheInfirmaryandlearnsthat
nogirldiedthatday.
Structure
Opening:Attheopeningoftheplay,GeraldechoesmanyofMr
Birling’sopinions,especiallyonmattersofbusiness.Unlike
Eric,hedoesnotchallengeMrBirlingandinfactsupportshim.
TheInspector’sEntrance:WhentheInspectorbeginsto
questionMrBirling,Geraldshows‘annoyance’nottobeable
toseethephotographofEvaSmith.HesupportsMrBirling’s
decisiontosackEvaSmith.Initially,hetriestokeephisown
relationshipwithEvaSmithasecret.However,hedoesadmit
hisrelationshipandseemstoshowsomeconcernaboutwhat
happenedtoher.
Ending:Bytheendoftheplay,Geralddoesnotseemtohave
changedverymuch.HislastactionistosuggesttoSheilathat
theyshouldremainengaged,holdinguptheringandsaying,
‘Everything’sallrightnow,Sheila.’ThissuggestthatGeraldis
morelikeMrandMrsBirlingthanthesocialistsEricandSheila.
Geraldthearistocrat
Geraldisacomplexcharacter.Ontheonehand,youcouldarguethatGerald’sinteractionwithEva/Daisywas
motivatedbysympathyandthengenuineattraction.Heisatleasthonestwhendiscussinghisattachmentto
Eva/Daisy.However,ontheotherhand,hediscardedEva/Daisywhenitsuitedhim.HeisalignedwithMr
Birling,echoinghisviewsonbusinessandhisexcitementthattheInspectorisn’tarealpoliceofficer.Helets
theaudiencedown–wehopedthathewouldchangehisattitudes,buthedoesn’t.
Priestley’smessage
PriestleyusesGeraldasasymboltorepresenttheselfishattitudesoftheupperclass.ThefactthatGerald
doesn’tchangehisattitudesconveyshowingrainedthisattitudeswereinthearistocracy,andhowdifficultit
wastochangethem.
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CharacterAnalysis:TheInspector
“She’dswallowedalotof
strongdisinfectant.Burnt
herinsideout,ofcourse.
Shewasingreatagony.”
“Itwoulddousallabit
ofgoodifsometimes
wetriedtoput
ourselvesintheplace
oftheseyoungwomen
countingtheirpennies
intheirdingylittle
backbedrooms.”
“Therearemillionsand
millionsandmillionsofEva
SmithsandJohnSmiths.”
WhoisInspectorGoole?
HeintroduceshimselfasInspectorGoole,a
policeofficerwhohascometoinvestigate
thebackgroundofayoungwoman’ssuicide.
WhatdoestheInspectordo?
• TheInspectorinterruptstheBirling
familygathering.
• Heestablishestheyeachdidsomething
cruelorunkindtothedeadgirl.
• Hetakescontrolofthesituationand
refusestoacknowledgethatanyofthe
othersissuperiortohimself.
• Heleavesthemaftermakinga
passionatespeechaboutsocialjustice.
Structure
TheInspector’spowercomesfromhisuncannyabilitytocontrol
thecharactersandeventsintheplay.Lookcloselyatthestage
directionsassociatedwiththeInspector:
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Thelightingbecomes‘brighterandharder’oncetheInspector
arrives,suggestingthattheInspectorwillputtheactionsofthe
Birlingfamilyunderaharshlight.
Hearrivesatacrucialtime–tointerruptMrBirling’sselfish
views.
ThefirststagedirectionsabouttheInspectoremphasisehis
authority,describinghis‘impressionofmassiveness,solidity
andpurposefulness’.
TheadverbsassociatedwiththeInspectorareveryimportant:
hespeaks‘carefully,weightily’,whichgiveshiswordsauthority;
hecutsthroughtheBirlings‘massively’whichshowshispower
overthemandhisrefusaltobeintimidatedbytheirsocialclass.
TheInspectorcontrolswhoseesthephotograph,buildingup
dramaasonlyonecharactergetstoseeitatatime.He
thereforecontrolsthestructureoftheplay–eachrevelation
movesthedramaonestepforward.
Finally,theInspectorseemstooperateoutsideoftime–for
example,attheendofActTwo,hewaitsforErictoappear,
looking‘athiswatch’beforethedramaticrevelationabout
Eric’sroleinEva’slife.
Priestley’smessage
TheInspectorrepresentsPriestley’svoice–heconveysPriestley’sstrongsocialistviews.Hechallengesthe
characters,andthereforetheaudience,abouttheirtreatmentoftheworkingclass.Youcouldarguethatthe
factthatheoperatesoutsideoftimegiveshimamoralorGodlypowerthatplaceshisviewsaboveallofthe
othersintheplay.
TheInspectoralsoheightensdrama–hisentrancesandexitsareallwell-timedinordertocreatemaximum
tension.Thisalsoaddstothesenseofhisimportance–itisasifheiscontrollingthestructureofthedrama
itself.
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CharacterAnalysis:EvaSmith/DaisyRenton
TheInspector: “youngwomencounting
theirpenniesintheirdingy
littlebackbedrooms.”
MrBirling:
“She’dhadalottosay–
fartoomuch–soshehad
togo.”
Sheila:
“Ican’thelpthinkingabout
thisgirl–destroyingherself
sohorribly”
WhoisEvaSmith/DaisyRenton?
ThesearethetwonamesbywhichthegirlwhosufferedatthehandsoftheBirlingfamilyand
Geraldwasknown.
Whathappenstoher?
• MrBirlingsackedherfromhisfactoryforleadingastrikeforbetterpay.
• Shewassackedfromadressshop,afterSheilaunjustlycomplainedabouther.
• ShebecameGeraldCroft’smistress.
• ShewasmadepregnantbyEricBirling.
• Sheappliedtoacharityforhelp,butMrsBirlingrefusedthathelp.
• Shecommittedsuicidebyswallowingdisinfectant.
EvaSmith–symboloftheworkingclass
EvaSmithremainsamystery.Sheneverappearsonstageandwedonotknowherrealname,buttheplay
revolvesaroundher.SheformsasharpcontrastwiththeBirlingfamily:sheworkedhard,supportedherfellow
workersandwaskind.HerhonestypreventedherfromconsideringmarriagetoEricandprotectedhimfrom
hisfoolishnessinstealingmoney.IncontrasttoMrsBirling’ssnobbishprejudiceabouther(‘asifagirlofthat
sortwouldeverrefusemoney!’,EvaSmithwastoomoraltoacceptstolenmoneyfromEric.
Priestley’smessage
PriestleyusesEvaSmithasasymboltorepresenttheworkingclasswomen(andmen)whoareexploitedby
capitalistsliketheBirlingfamily.YoucouldarguethatPriestleyemphasiseshermoralityinordertochallenge
anyprejudicestheBirlings,andtheaudience,mayholdaboutworkingclasswomenandmen.
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Context
Settingof‘AnInspectorCalls’
‘AnInspectorCalls’issetinafictionalindustrialtownofBrumleyin1912.Priestleywrote‘AnInspector
Calls’in1944and,likemuchofhiswork,theplaycontainsstrongpoliticalmessages.Priestleydeliberately
set‘AnInspectorCalls’in1912becausethaterarepresentedtheoppositeofwhatpeoplewerehopingfor
in1945.
Priestley’sPolitics
Priestleywasasocialist.Socialistsbelievethatcapitalists(suchasMrBirling)benefittherichoverthepoor.
Socialismisbasedongivingpowerandrightstotheworkingclass(suchasEvaSmith,workinginthe
factory).Socialistsstronglysupportunions,organisationsthatprotectworkers’rights.
Duringthe1930sPriestleybecameveryconcernedabouttheconsequencesofsocialinequalityinBritain,
andin1942Priestleyandotherssetupanewpoliticalparty,theCommonWealthParty,whicharguedfor
publicownershipofland,greaterdemocracy,andanew'morality'inpolitics.Thepartymergedwiththe
LabourPartyin1945.PriestleywasinfluentialindevelopingtheideaoftheWelfareStatewhichbeganto
beputintoplaceattheendofthewar.
By1945,socialismwasafreshandverypopularmovement.IntheUKgeneralelectionof1945,heldtwo
monthsaftertheendoftheSecondWorldWarinEurope,theLabourPartybeatWinstonChurchill's
Conservatives,winningamajorityofseatsforthefirsttimeinBritishelectionhistory.Priestley,alongwith
nearly12millionotherBritons,votedforLabour.
KeyContextualIdeas
‘AnInspectorCalls’issetin1912,theEdwardianera.TheplayissetjustbeforetheTitanicsinks,andtwo
yearsbeforethestartofWorldWarOne.Herearesomeofthekeycontextualideasoftheplay:
SocialPositionin1912:
Yourplaceinsocietywasfarmoreimportantin1912thanitistoday.IndustrialistslikeMrBirlingmade
enoughmoneytoriseupthesocialladder–butthiswealthwasnotsharedwiththeirworkerslikeEva
Smith.ArthurBirlinghasmadehismoneythroughbuildingupasuccessfulmanufacturingbusiness.Mrs
Birling’ssocialsnobberyandherdesireforstrictly‘correct’behavioursuggestthatshehascomefroma
socially‘better’familybackgroundthanMrBirling.MrBirlinghasimprovedhissocialstatusbybecoming
LordMayorandacceptingthedutiesofamagistrate.Hehopestoimprovehissocialstatusfurtherby
beingawardedaknighthood.MrBirlingisdelightedthatSheilaisengagedtoGeraldCroftatthestartof
theplay,becausethiswillimprovehissocialstatus.HisfocusonsocialpositionexplainswhyMrBirlingis
soworriedaboutcreatinga‘publicscandal’thatmaydamagehisreputation.PriestleymakesMrBirling’s
obsessionwithsocialpositionlookfoolishandimmoraltohis1945audience.
WorkersandBosses
Atthetimetheplayisset(1912),therightsofworkerslikeEvaSmithwerenottakentooseriouslybymany
employers.Workersdidn’thavemuchjobsecurityandbeingfiredfromajobmeantyouhadno
references,makingitharderforyoutofindanotherjob.Therewasnounemploymentpayorbenefits
systemtohelpyouwhenyouwereoutofwork.ThisiswhylifebecomessodifficultforEvaSmithaftershe
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isfiredfromtwojobsbecauseofMrBirlingandSheila.Wecanseehoweasyitwouldbeforhertohave
endeduptrappedbyAldermanMeggarty,GeraldandEric.BypresentingEva’sexperienceonstage,
Priestleyshowsthe1945audiencehowimportantitisthatworkersareprotected.
Charities
AstherewassolittleprotectionforpeoplelikeEvaSmith,theywerereliantoncharitiesforhelp.When
EvaSmithfindsherselfunemployed,pregnantandpenniless,acharityorganisationsuchas‘TheBrumley
Women’sOrganisation’(runbyMrsBirling)wastheonlyplaceshecouldturnto.However,thisleftherat
themercyofwomenlikeMrsBirling,whowoulddecidewhethertohelpornot.Priestleywantedtoshow
his1945audiencehowunfairthissystemwas.Priestleywantedtocreatesupportforthe‘welfarestate’,
introducedin1945,whichentailedthecreationoftheNHS,benefitsfortheunemployed,statepensions
etc.Itmeantthatthevulnerableinsocietywouldbeofferedsomeprotection.Priestleyusedtheplayto
showhowvitalthiswas.
TroubledFuture
MrBirlingthinksthefuturelooksgood–heexplainstoSheilaandGeraldthat‘whenyoumarry,you’llbe
marryingataverygoodtime.Yes,averygoodtime’.However,heiscompletelywrong.Priestleyis
deliberatelypresentingMrBirlingasfoolishtoa1945audience,whohaveexperiencedtwoworldwars,the
GreatDepression,socialunrest,strikesandawideninggapbetweenrichandpoor.TheInspectoris
accuratewhenhepredictsthefuture,warningtheBirlingsofthe‘fireandbloodandanguish’thateveryone
willexperienceiftheydonotlearntotakeresponsibilityforoneanother.
TheRoleofWomen
Atthetimetheplaywasset,womenhadfewerrights.Theyweresubservienttomen.Rich,middleclass
womenwereexpectedtogetmarried.Poorwomenwereusedascheaplabour.Thedifferenceintheway
workingclassandmiddleclasswomenweretreatedintheplaycanbeseenthroughthedifferent
experiencesofEvaSmithandSheilaBirling.EvawasobjectifiedbyAldermanMeggarty,GeraldandEric,
andsufferedgreatly.However,SheilaandMrsBirlingareseenasdelicatecreatureswhoneedtobe
protectedfromtheharshrealitiesoftheworld(e.g.MrsBirlingwasprotectedfromtheknowledgethat
manyupperclassmenattendprostitutebarsandthathersondrankheavily).
However,thefightforgenderequalityhadbegunby1912withthesuffragettemovement.Astheplay
progresses,PriestleyshowsthatSheilabeginstofightforequality–refusingtogotobed,standingupto
herfather,refusingtheringGeraldoffers.Inthisway,the1945audiencemayhaverecognisedthatSheila
representedhopeforgenderequalityinthefuture.
Challenge:TimeTheories
Priestleywasinterestedintheoriesoftime.OneinfluenceonPriestleywasaRussianphilosopher,
Ousepensky,whobelievedthattimecontinuedtorepeatitselfandthatindividualsmustlearntostop
repeatingthesamemistakes.‘AnInspectorCalls’isoneofPriestley’s‘timeplays’–playsthatare
interestedinhowtimeworks.YoucouldarguethattheInspectorcomesfromthefutureoraplaceoutside
oftimetooffertheBirlingsanopportunitytochange–anopportunitytheydon’ttake.Intheendthey
havelearnednothingandsowillhavetogothroughitalloveragain.
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Themes
AnEqualSociety/Class
Inthisplay,Priestleypresentsuswithapowerfulsocialmessage.Weareshownthecomfortablehome
andrichwayoflifeoftheBirlingfamily(seetheopeningstagedirectionsforpropsthatrepresentthis
wealth).Thisiscontrastedwiththedesperateaccountsofworkerstoincreasetheirpoorwagesandthe
dismallifethatEvaSmithisforcedtoliveasaresultoftheBirlings’actions.
TheInspectorchampionsthecauseofthepoorandtriestogetotherstoacceptthatallpeoplesharea
commonhumanityandarepartofacommunity.TheInspectorisaspokespersonforthedisadvantaged
andavoicefortheconsciencewhichtheBirlingsandGeraldseemtolack.
Responsibility
Manyofthecharactershaveanarrowviewofwhatitmeanstoberesponsible,buttheInspectorprovides
astrongermessageaboutsocialresponsibility.Eachfamilymemberhasadifferentattitudetowards
responsibility–forexample,Birlingfeelshisresponsibilityissimplytomakeasuccessofhisbusiness.
MakesureyouknowhoweachcharacterfeltabouttheirresponsibilitytowardsEvaSmith.
TheInspectorwantedeachmemberofthefamilyofEva’sdeath:hetellsthem‘eachofyouhelpedtokill
her’.However,hisfinalspeechisaimednotonlyatthecharactersbutattheaudiencetoo.
Love
Theplaypresentsmanydifferentinterpretationsoflove.SheilaandGeraldappeartobeinloveatfirst–
however,aftereachofthemhasconfessedtotheirshamefultreatmentofEva/Daisy,Sheilarealisesthat
theydonotreallyknoweachotherandthattrustisanessentialpartofalovingrelationship.BothEricand
GeraldsleepwithEva,butneitherofthemseemtoloveher–showinghowworkingclasswomenwere
vulnerabletobeingexploitedbyrichermen.
MrBirling’sremarkabouttheengagementofhisdaughterbringingthetwofirmsintoacloserworking
relationshiprevealssomethingabouthisattitudetowardsloveandmarriage.Heseesmarriageasawayof
progressingupthesocialandeconomicladder.Wewonderwhetherloveplayedanyrealpartinhis
marriagetothesociallysuperior,butcold-hearted,SybilBirling.
Age
TheoldergenerationandtheyoungergenerationtaketheInspector’smessageindifferentways.While
SheilaandEricaccepttheirpartinEva’sdeathandfeelhugeguilt,theirparentsdonotadmittheydid
anythingwrong.
Theold,representedbyMrandMrsBirling,aresetintheirways.Theyareutterlyconfidentthattheyare
rightandtheyseetheyoungasfoolish.Theywilldoanythingtoprotectthemselves:MrsBirlingliestothe
Inspectorwhenhefirstshowsherthephotograph;MrBirlingwantstocoverupapotentialscandal.Mr
andMrsBirling,withsomuchtolosefromapotentialsocialistrevolution,dismisstheInspector’swarnings
andconvincethemselvesthattheyarenottoblame.Incontrast,theyoungergeneration,representedby
SheilaandEric,haveembracedsocialismandrejectedcapitalism.Priestleyusestheyoungergenerationto
representhopeforchangetothe1945audience.Ultimately,theaudiencecanbeoptimisticthattheyoung
–thosewhowillshapefuturesociety–areabletolearnfromtheInspector’ssocialistmessage.
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KeyQuotations
MrBirling
o Birlings’‘largesurburbanhouse’–contrastwithEva’s‘dingylittlebackbedroom’(describedbythe
Inspector)
o Birling’sfirstline:‘Givingustheport,Edna?That’sright.’StructurallytheplayopenswithBirling’s
focusonconsumerism,hiswealthandattemptstoimpressGeraldCroft
o Birling,celebratestheengagementofSheilaandGerald:‘It’soneofthehappiestnightsofmylife’(he’s
happythattheCroftandBirlingfirmsmayworktogetherinthefuture!)
o “nobodywantswar”
o “unsinkable,absolutelyunsinkable”(abouttheTitanic)
o Describeshimselfrepeatedlyas‘ahard-headedpracticalmanofbusiness”
o “amanhastomindhisownbusinessandlookafterhimselfandhisown-and-(doorbellrings)”
o “It’smydutytokeeplabourcostsdown”
o DescribesEva’sdeathasa‘horridbusiness’(usesthelanguageofbusinessratherthanunderstanding
thetruehorrorofEva’sdeath)
o ‘Iwasquitejustified’insackingEvaSmith
o Hismainconcernistoavoida“publicscandal”
o WhenworriedhisfamilyisresponsibleforEva’sdeath:‘Look,Inspector-I’dgivethousands–yes,
thousands–’ThisrevealsBirling’shypocrisy–hehasmoneytospareforabribe,toavoidascandal,but
hewon’tpayhisworkersapennymorethantheycurrentlyearn.
o AftertheInspectorleaves:‘Youallowedyourselftobebluffed.Yes–bluffed.’
o AftertheInspectorleaves:repeatedlydescribedinthestagedirectionsasspeaking‘triumphantly’
Sheila
o Atthestartoftheplay,whenGeraldgivesherthering:‘Oh–it’swonderful!LookMummy–isn’tita
beauty?’
o “Butthesegirlsaren’tcheaplabour-they’repeople”
o WhenshehadEvaSmithfired,sheusesthepowershehasasagoodcustomerofthestore:“I’d
persuademothertocloseouraccountwiththem”
o ‘(Miserably)SoI’mreallyresponsible?’
o “I’llnever,neverdoitagaintoanybody.”
o WhenshehearsaboutGerald’saffairwithEva:‘YouwerethewonderfulFairyPrince.Youmusthave
adoredit,Gerald.’
o “Youmustn’ttrytobuildupakindofwallbetweenusandthatgirl.”Sheilausesthemetaphorofthe
‘wall’toshowthatsheunderstandsthatthereshouldbenoseparationbetweentheBirlingsandEva.
Sherealisesthatclassdivisionsmustbetorndown.
o ToMrsBirling,whensheturnsEvaawayfromthecharity:‘Mother,Ithinkitwascruelandvile.’
o WhenMrsBirlingisunknowinglyblamingherownson:‘(withsuddenalarm)Mother–stop–stop!’
o SherepeatstheInspector’smessageandseemstolearnfromhimbytheendoftheplay:‘Fireand
bloodandanguish.Anditfrightensmethewayyoutalk,andIcan’tlistentoanymoreofit’
Gerald
o AboutEvaSmith:‘Shewasyoungandprettyandwarm-hearted–andintenselygrateful’
o AboutEva:‘Iaskedherquestionsaboutherself.’
o AboutEva/Daisy:‘IinsistedonDaisymovingintothoserooms…becauseIwassorryforher.’
o Abouthisaffair,toMrsBirling,whenshecallsitdisgusting:‘Itwasn’tdisgusting.’
o WhenaskedifhelovedEvaSmith/Daisy,‘Ididn’tfeelaboutherasshefeltaboutme.’
o “I’mrathermoreupsetbythisbusinessthanIprobablyappeartobe”
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o
TheInspectorisn’tasharshonhimasheisonMrandMrsBirling–henotesthatatleastGerald‘had
someaffectionforherandmadeherhappyforatime.’
“Thereisn’tanysuchinspector.We’vebeenhad.”
Attheendoftheplay:“Everything’sallrightnowSheila.Whataboutthisring?”
o
o
MrsBirling
o ToArthur,abouthiscommentsaboutthecook:‘Arthuryou’renotsupposedtosaysuchthings’
o ToSheila,onherslang:‘Sheila!Whatanexpression!’
o ToSheila,aboutGerald:‘NowSheiladon’tteasehim.Whenyou’remarriedyou’llrealisethatmenwith
importantworktodosometimeshavetospendnearlyalltheirtimeandenergyonbusiness.’
o ToGerald,abouthisaffairwithEva:‘Idon’tthinkwewantanymoredetailsofthisdisgustingaffair.’
o “Ididn’tlikehermanner”
o AboutEric,whenSheilatellshimthatErichasbeendrinkingtoomuchforyears:‘(staggered)Itisn’t
true.Youknowhim,Gerald,
o “Iacceptnoblame”
o “agirlofthatsort”
o WhenblamingthefatherofEva’sbaby(notrealisingit’sEric):‘heoughttobedealtwithveryseverely.’
o ToSheila,whenshetriestointerrupt:‘(severely)You’rebehavinglikeanhystericalchildtonight.’
Eric
o CriticiseshisfatherforfiringEvaSmith:‘Hecouldhavekeptheroninsteadofthrowingherout.’
o BeforesleepingwithEva:“Iwasinthatstatewhenachapeasilyturnsnasty”
o “Iwasn’tinlovewithheroranything”
o ToMirBirling:“You’renotthekindoffatherachapcouldgoto”
o “weallhelpedtokillher”
TheInspector
o “animpressionofmassiveness”
o “shewasingreatagony”
o “she’dswallowedalotofstrongdisinfectant.Burntherinsideout,ofcourse.’
o ‘nowork,nomoneycomingin,andlivinginlodgings,withnorelativestohelpher,lonely,halfstarved,
shewasfeelingdesperate’
o “youngwomencountingtheirpenniesintheirdingylittlebackrooms’
o “eachofyouhelpedtokillher”
o “Publicmen,MrBirling,haveresponsibilitiesaswellasprivileges”
o “MillionsandmillionsandmillionsofEvaSmithsandJohnSmiths”
o “withtheirlives,theirhopesandfears,theirchanceofhappiness,allintertwinedwithourlives”
o “weareresponsibleforeachother”
o “willbetaughtitinfireandbloodandanguish”
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SampleEssayQuestions
HowandwhydoesSheilachangeinAnInspectorCalls?
WhatdoyouthinkistheimportanceoftheendinginAnInspectorCalls?
HowandwhyistheInspectorpresentedasadramaticandpowerfulfigureinAnInspectorCalls?
WhatdoyouthinkistheimportanceoftheopeninginAnInspectorCalls?
WhatdoyouthinkistheimportanceofGerald’scharacterinAnInspectorCalls?
HowdoesPriestleyexploretheideaofclassinAnInspectorCalls?
HowdoesPriestleyexplorethepositionofwomeninAnInspectorCalls?
WhatistheimportanceofEvaSmithinAnInspectorCalls?
HowdoesPriestleyexploretheimportanceofclassinAnInspectorCalls?
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RevisionGrid
Fillinthegridbelowwiththreequotationsforeachcharacter,linkstothemesandanalysis.
Thefirstonehasbeendoneforyou.
Character
Quotation
Keythemes/ideas
AnalysisofLanguage/Structure
MrBirling
“hard-headed business man”
* Mr Birling is proud of his
capitalism
* Links to his pride in his social
position / financial success
The adjective ‘hard-headed’, with its harsh
alliteration, emphasises that Mr Birling’s
harsh attitude – suggesting he’s heartless as
well as hard-headed. He repeats this
description, which shows how pleased he is –
but the audience dislikes him.
MrsBirling
SheliaBirling
EricBirling
GeraldCroft
Inspector
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