An Inspector Calls – J B Priestley

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शिक्षकों के लिए: An Inspector Calls – J B Priestley (English, Literature) के लिए इस्तेमाल के लिए तैयार लेसन स्लाइड्स, रिवीज़न नोट्स — इन्हें अपने लेसन में इस्तेमाल करें, या टॉपिक को एक इंटरैक्टिव क्लास एक्टिविटी की तरह चलाएं जिसे आपके शिक्षार्थी लाइव गेम की तरह खेलें।

लेसन नोट्स

Overview and Context

An Inspector Calls is a modern morality play and drawing room play written by J. B. Priestley.
It was first performed in the Soviet Union in May 1945 and at the New Theatre in London the following year.
The play is a three-act drama set on a single night in 1912 in the fictional industrial town of Brumley.
It focuses on the prosperous upper-middle-class Birling family, who live in a comfortable home.
A man calling himself Inspector Goole visits the family to question them about the suicide of a working-class woman in her mid-twenties.
The play is widely studied as a prescribed text for GCSE and IGCSE English Literature courses.

Act 1: The Investigation Begins

The play opens with Arthur Birling, a wealthy factory owner, magistrate and local politician, celebrating his daughter Sheila's engagement to Gerald Croft.
Also present are Birling's wife Sybil and their son Eric, whose drinking problem the family discreetly ignores.
After dinner, Birling lectures the young men on self-reliance and talks of a bright future, including a possible knighthood.
The evening is interrupted when the maid Edna announces the arrival of Inspector Goole, who explains that a young woman named Eva Smith has died by drinking disinfectant.
Goole produces a photograph of Smith and shows it to Birling, who confirms she worked in one of his factories and that he dismissed her for leading a strike action demanding higher wages.
Birling denies any responsibility for her death.
Sheila is shown the photograph and explains that she once got Smith fired from a department store out of jealousy, because she thought Smith was prettier than her.
The inspector mentions that Smith later used the name Daisy Renton.

Act 2: Revelations and Blame

Gerald admits he met a woman named Daisy Renton in the Palace Bar, where Smith had resorted to prostitution.
Gerald gave her money and arranged for her to stay in a vacant flat; he began a relationship with her over the summer but ended it after a few months.
Sheila returns her engagement ring to Gerald, who leaves but says he will return.
The inspector turns to Sybil, a patron of a charity that helps women in difficult situations.
Smith, pregnant and destitute, had asked the charity for help using the name 'Mrs. Birling'.
Sybil convinced the committee to deny her a grant, arguing that Smith was irresponsible and should find the father and make him face his responsibilities.
Sybil denies any wrongdoing despite vigorous cross-examination.
Goole forces Sybil to blame the 'drunken young man' who got Smith pregnant, and it dawns on the family that this is Eric.

Act 3: Consequences and the Final Twist

Eric enters and admits responsibility for the pregnancy: he had raped Smith after a drinking spree at the Palace Bar.
After finding out Smith was pregnant, Eric stole £50 from his father's business to support her, but she refused the stolen money and cut contact.
Birling and Sybil are outraged, and the evening dissolves into angry recriminations.
The inspector reminds the family that actions have consequences and that all people are intertwined in one society, stating: "if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish."
After Goole leaves, Birling worries about the scandal from Eric's theft.
Gerald returns and reveals that a police sergeant he knows did not know of any Inspector Goole; Birling phones the chief constable, who confirms there is no Inspector Goole on the force.
Gerald phones the infirmary, which confirms no one has died there that day and there has not been a suicide in months; the family concludes the inspector was a fraud.
Gerald and the elder Birlings celebrate, but Eric and Sheila continue to rue their actions.
The phone rings: police tell Birling that a young woman has just died in a suspected suicide, and a policeman is on his way to question the family.

Key Characters

Eva Smith/Daisy Renton: the deceased young woman who represents the working class in a capitalist society; she is described as young and pretty, with dark eyes, and had no one to turn to.
Inspector Goole: apparently a police inspector who seems to know every detail of the case already; he interrogates the family to expose their guilt rather than discover new information, and drives Priestley's socialist views.
Arthur Birling: a 'heavy-looking, rather portentous man in his middle fifties' who represents the ruling capitalist class; he is dominant, arrogant, self-centred, and morally blind, and refuses to take responsibility.
Sybil Birling: 'a rather cold woman' of about fifty, from a higher social class than her husband; she assumes moral superiority, refuses responsibility, and is more concerned with the family's reputation.
Sheila Birling: begins as naive and self-centred but becomes the most sympathetic member, showing remorse and encouraging her family to do the same; she represents the younger generation's break from selfish behaviour.
Eric Birling: presented as a 'Jack the Lad' character with a drinking habit, who raped Eva and made her pregnant; he is distanced from the family and feels he cannot talk to them.
Gerald Croft: the son of Sir George and Lady Croft of Crofts Limited, and Sheila's fiancé; his affair with Eva ends the engagement, though Sheila commends his truthfulness and initial compassion.
Edna: the maid for the Birling family, who introduces the Inspector into the dining room in Act 1.

Themes: Wealth, Power, and Influence

The Birlings are a family of wealth and power, who take pride in their high social position.
Mr. Birling is a successful businessman, and the family inhabits a nice home with a maid and likely other servants.
The play begins with the family celebrating and feeling pleased with their fortunate circumstance.
Throughout the Inspector's investigation, it comes out that several of the Birlings have used their power and influence immorally.

Themes: Blame and Responsibility

The question asked throughout the play is: who is responsible for the suicide of Eva Smith? Who is to blame?
The arc of the play follows the gradual spreading of responsibility, from Mr. Birling, to Mr. Birling and Sheila, to Mr. Birling and Sheila and Gerald, and so on.
Each character has different opinions about which of them is most responsible for the girl's suicide.

Themes: Public versus Private

The Inspector, and the play at large, challenges the 'privacy' of the private sphere by revealing that actions conceived as private and personal really have an effect beyond the family.
For example, Sheila's revelation that Eric drinks more than his parents had thought—'he's been steadily drinking too much for the last two years'—seems like private information but turns out to have a greater effect.

Themes: Class Politics and Morality and Legality

Mr. Birling describes the politics of the day as revolving around 'Capital versus Labor agitations'.
Mr. Birling is a representative Capitalist, who cares only about his company's profit; he speaks of himself as 'a hard-headed, practical man of business' and looks forward to being knighted.
The girls who lead a worker's strike in his factory represent the Labor side of the conflict, trying to improve rights and wages.
The play interrogates how people construct, construe, and apply their moral values, especially in relation to legality and illegality.
It asks whether actions have moral consequence in themselves, or in relation to their effects on other people; or whether morality can only be measured in relation to legal rulings.
When the legal consequences of the truths revealed by the Inspector's questioning have been removed (through the revelation that the Inspector is not, in fact, an inspector), the play explores this further.

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फ्री प्रीव्यू — 53 में से 8 सवाल। सभी देखने के लिए साइन अप करें।

1.In An Inspector Calls, place these events in the order in which they occur in the play.
Medium
- Inspector Goole arrives at the Birlings' home and shows Arthur Birling a photograph of Eva Smith
- Sheila Birling is shown a photograph and admits she had Eva fired from the department store
- Gerald Croft admits he knew Eva Smith under the name Daisy Renton
- Sybil Birling refuses to help Eva at her charity committee
- Eric Birling admits he stole £50 from his father's business to support Eva
2.In An Inspector Calls, who is the maid who announces the arrival of Inspector Goole in Act 1?
Easy
- AEdna
- BEva
- CSybil
- DSheila
3.In An Inspector Calls, Inspector Goole shows the same photograph to every member of the Birling family at the same time.
Easy
True or false?
4.In An Inspector Calls, which of the following characters accept responsibility for their actions towards Eva Smith? (select all that apply)
Medium
- ASheila Birling
- BEric Birling
- CArthur Birling
- DSybil Birling
- EGerald Croft
5.Match each character in An Inspector Calls with their role in the play.
Medium
- Arthur Birling
- Sybil Birling
- Sheila Birling
- Eric Birling
- Gerald Croft
- Wealthy factory owner and magistrate
- Leader of a charitable organisation
- Daughter who becomes the most sympathetic member
- Son with a drinking problem who steals money
- Fiancé of Sheila and son of Sir George Croft
6.In An Inspector Calls, how does Eva Smith die?
Medium
- AShe drinks disinfectant
- BShe jumps from a bridge
- CShe is struck by a car
- DShe takes an overdose of pills
7.In An Inspector Calls, Eric Birling steals £50 from his father's business to support Eva Smith and their child.
Easy
True or false?
8.In An Inspector Calls, which character says that if men will not learn the lesson of responsibility, they will be taught it in 'fire and blood and anguish'?
Hard
- AInspector Goole
- BArthur Birling
- CSheila Birling
- DEric Birling

और सवाल

9.What does Gerald Croft discover when he phones the infirmary?
Medium
- ANo one has died there that day and there has not been a suicide in months
- BEva Smith is still alive
- CInspector Goole is a real police officer
- DEric has been arrested for theft
10.At the end of the play, the phone rings and Birling is told that a young woman has just died on her way to the infirmary in a suspected suicide.
Medium
True or false?
11.In An Inspector Calls, which festival or event are the Birlings celebrating at the start of the play?
Medium
- ASheila's engagement to Gerald Croft
- BEric's birthday
- CMr Birling's knighthood
- DSybil's charity anniversary
12.In An Inspector Calls, which of the following themes are explored in the play? (select all that apply)
Medium
- AWealth, power, and influence
- BBlame and responsibility
- CClass politics
- DMorality and legality
- EThe supernatural and the afterlife
13.In An Inspector Calls, the play is set in 1912 in the fictional town of Brumley.
Easy
True or false?
14.In An Inspector Calls, what does Mr Birling describe as 'Capital versus Labor agitations'?
Medium
- AThe political conflict between capitalists and workers
- BThe argument between Sheila and Eric
- CThe rivalry between Birling and Croft
- DThe Inspector's questioning of the family
15.In An Inspector Calls, Gerald Croft discovers that the Inspector was a real police officer.
Easy
True or false?
16.In An Inspector Calls, what does Eric Birling do after finding out that Eva Smith was pregnant?
Medium
- AHe steals £50 from his father's business to support her
- BHe asks his father for money
- CHe proposes marriage to her
- DHe denies any involvement
17.In An Inspector Calls, which of the following are true about the Inspector's final speech? (select all that apply)
Hard
- AHe warns that people will be taught in 'fire and blood and anguish'
- BHe emphasises that actions have consequences
- CHe states that all people are intertwined in one society
- DHe forgives the family for their actions
- EHe promises to return
18.In An Inspector Calls, place these revelations in the order they are made during the Inspector's investigation.
Medium
- Birling dismissed Eva for leading a strike
- Sheila got Eva fired from the shop
- Gerald had an affair with Daisy Renton
- Sybil refused Eva charity
- Eric stole money for Eva
19.Match each character in An Inspector Calls with their attitude towards responsibility.
Medium
- Arthur Birling
- Sybil Birling
- Sheila Birling
- Eric Birling
- Gerald Croft
- Refuses to accept responsibility, concerned with scandal
- Denies wrongdoing, maintains social superiority
- Shows remorse and encourages others to do the same
- Repents and accepts responsibility
- Shows initial compassion but ultimately distances himself
20.In An Inspector Calls, which character is described as 'a rather cold woman' of about fifty?
Medium
- ASybil Birling
- BSheila Birling
- CEva Smith
- DEdna
21.In An Inspector Calls, Eric Birling is the older brother of Sheila Birling.
Easy
True or false?
22.In An Inspector Calls, which of the following are true about the ending of the play? (select all that apply)
Medium
- AGerald returns and reveals that there is no Inspector Goole on the force
- BBirling phones the infirmary and learns no one has died
- CThe family concludes they have been the victims of a hoax
- DThe phone rings and Birling is told a young woman has just died
- EThe Inspector returns to arrest the family
23.In An Inspector Calls, how does Sheila Birling's attitude towards her own behaviour change over the course of the play?
Medium
- AShe begins as naive and self-centred but becomes the most sympathetic member of the group.
- BShe remains completely unchanged and refuses to accept any responsibility.
- CShe becomes more arrogant and dismissive of others as the play goes on.
- DShe starts as the most responsible character but gradually loses her social conscience.
24.In An Inspector Calls, which character does Priestley use to represent the younger generation's break from the selfish behaviour and capitalist views of its elders?
Medium
- ASheila Birling
- BSybil Birling
- CArthur Birling
- DGerald Croft
25.In An Inspector Calls, how does Eric Birling's relationship with his family contribute to the tragedy?
Medium
- AHe feels distanced from the rest of the family and cannot talk to them about his problems.
- BHe is the favourite child and is spoiled by his parents.
- CHe is encouraged by his father to take responsibility for his actions.
- DHe confides in his mother about his drinking and his relationship with Eva.
26.In An Inspector Calls, how does Sybil Birling's attitude towards Eva Smith reflect her social class?
Medium
- AShe derides women like Eva as immoral, dishonest, and greedy.
- BShe sympathises with Eva and tries to help her through her charity.
- CShe treats Eva as an equal and respects her independence.
- DShe is indifferent to Eva and does not form any opinion about her.
27.In An Inspector Calls, how does Gerald Croft's treatment of Eva Smith differ from that of the other characters?
Hard
- AHe shows initial compassion by giving her money and arranging for her to move into a vacant flat.
- BHe immediately dismisses her from his employment without any concern.
- CHe refuses to acknowledge her existence and ignores her completely.
- DHe exploits her financially and takes advantage of her poverty.
28.In An Inspector Calls, which of the following statements about Sheila Birling's character development are true? (select all that apply)
Hard
- AShe begins as a naive and self-centred young woman.
- BShe becomes the most sympathetic member of the group over the course of the play.
- CShe reveals insecurity about her appearance.
- DShe encourages her family to accept responsibility for their actions.
- EShe remains unchanged and refuses to accept any responsibility.
29.In An Inspector Calls, which of the following are true about the character of Inspector Goole? (select all that apply)
Medium
- AHe seems familiar with every detail of the case already.
- BHe interrogates the family solely to expose their guilt rather than to discover unknown information.
- CHe is the drive for Priestley's socialist views within the play.
- DHe is confirmed to be a real police inspector by the chief constable.
- EHe encourages the family to accept responsibility for their wrongdoing.
30.In An Inspector Calls, Arthur Birling represents the ruling capitalist class and is arguably the main subject of Priestley's social critique.
Easy
True or false?
31.In An Inspector Calls, Sybil Birling accepts responsibility for her part in Eva Smith's death.
Easy
True or false?
32.Match each character in An Inspector Calls with the correct description of their role or attitude.
Medium
- Arthur Birling
- Sybil Birling
- Sheila Birling
- Eric Birling
- Gerald Croft
- Represents the ruling capitalist class and refuses to take responsibility.
- A rather cold woman who assumes social and moral superiority.
- Becomes the most sympathetic member and encourages responsibility.
- Feels distanced from the family and cannot talk about his problems.
- Shows initial compassion towards Eva but ends the engagement.
33.In An Inspector Calls, place these moments in the order in which they occur in the play.
Medium
- Sheila returns her engagement ring to Gerald.
- Eric admits responsibility for the pregnancy.
- The Inspector leaves after his final speech.
- Gerald phones the infirmary and confirms no one has died there that day.
34.In An Inspector Calls, how does Priestley use the character of Eva Smith to represent the working class in a capitalist society?
Hard
- AShe is described as young and pretty, with no one to turn to when unable to support herself through honest employment.
- BShe is a wealthy heiress who is targeted by the Birling family for her money.
- CShe is a member of the upper class who is brought down by the Birlings' jealousy.
- DShe is a political activist who leads a strike against the Birlings and is praised for it.
35.In An Inspector Calls, which of the following best describes the difference between the older and younger generations' responses to the Inspector's revelations?
Medium
- AThe older Birlings are concerned with avoiding scandal and maintaining reputation, while the younger ones accept responsibility and feel remorse.
- BThe older Birlings accept responsibility immediately, while the younger ones deny any involvement.
- CBoth generations react in exactly the same way, showing no difference.
- DThe younger Birlings are more concerned with reputation, while the older ones focus on morality.
36.In An Inspector Calls, how does the play challenge the idea of a 'private' sphere?
Hard
- ABy revealing that actions the family thought were private and personal really have an effect beyond themselves and their family.
- BBy showing that the family has no private life at all and everything is public.
- CBy arguing that private actions should never be discussed in public.
- DBy demonstrating that only the Inspector has a private life.
37.In An Inspector Calls, Sheila Birling is the older sister of Eric Birling.
Medium
True or false?
38.In An Inspector Calls, which of the following are true about the character of Gerald Croft? (select all that apply)
Medium
- AHe is the son of Sir George and Lady Croft of Crofts Limited.
- BHe is the fiancé of Sheila.
- CHe had an affair with Eva Smith, which puts an end to the engagement.
- DHe is the maid for the Birling family.
- ESheila commends him for his truthfulness and initial compassion.
39.In An Inspector Calls, how many acts does the play have?
Easy
- AOne
- BTwo
- CThree
- DFive
40.In An Inspector Calls, which city is the play set in?
Medium
- ALondon
- BBrumley
- CManchester
- DBirmingham
41.In An Inspector Calls, what is the name of the fictional industrial town where the Birlings live?
Medium
42.Complete the sentence about the setting of An Inspector Calls.
Easy
An Inspector Calls takes place on a single night in the year ____, in the home of the Birling family.
43.In An Inspector Calls, what is the name of the maid who announces the arrival of Inspector Goole?
Medium
44.In An Inspector Calls, what is the name of the charity that Sybil Birling is a patron of?
Medium
45.Complete the sentence about the Inspector's methods in An Inspector Calls.
Easy
The Inspector shows a ____ of Eva Smith to each member of the Birling family, but they cannot be sure it is the same ____.
46.Complete the sentence about the context of An Inspector Calls.
Medium
The play is set in ____ and was first performed in ____.
47.In An Inspector Calls, what term does Mr Birling use to describe the politics of the day, referring to the conflict between business owners and workers?
Medium
48.Complete the sentence about Inspector Goole's final speech in An Inspector Calls.
Medium
The Inspector warns that if men will not learn the lesson of responsibility, they will be taught it in '____ and ____ and ____.'
49.In An Inspector Calls, explain how the theme of public versus private is explored through the revelations about the Birling family.
Hard
50.In An Inspector Calls, explain how the theme of class politics is presented through the characters of Mr Birling and Eva Smith.
Hard
51.In An Inspector Calls, explain how the theme of morality and legality is explored through the play's ending.
Hard
52.In An Inspector Calls, explain how the theme of wealth, power, and influence is presented through the Birling family.
Hard
53.In An Inspector Calls, explain how Priestley uses the character of Inspector Goole to convey his socialist views.
Hard

रिवीज़न नोट्स

## An Inspector Calls – J B Priestley **Form and setting** - A **three-act drama**, a **modern morality play** and **drawing room play**, first performed in 1945 (Soviet Union) and in London in 1946. - Set on a **single night in 1912** in the prosperous **Birling family** home in the fictional industrial town of **Brumley**. - The family is visited by a man calling himself **Inspector Goole**, who questions them about the **suicide of a working-class woman in her mid-twenties**. **Plot in brief** - Arthur Birling celebrates his daughter **Sheila's engagement to Gerald Croft**. - Goole reveals the dead woman, **Eva Smith**, and shows a photograph; Birling admits dismissing her for leading a strike for higher wages. - Sheila confesses she had Eva fired from a shop out of jealousy. - Gerald admits an affair with Eva (then **Daisy Renton**). - Sybil Birling, a charity patron, refused Eva help; Eva was pregnant. - Eric admits he **raped Eva** and stole **£50** from his father's business to support her. - Goole warns: **"if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish."** - The family discovers Goole may be a fraud; then a phone call says a young woman has just died and a policeman is coming. **Themes** - **Wealth, Power, and Influence** – the Birlings' high social position is used immorally. - **Blame and Responsibility** – responsibility gradually spreads from Mr Birling to the whole family. - **Public versus Private** – private actions have effects beyond the family. - **Class Politics** – **"Capital versus Labor agitations"**; Birling is a representative Capitalist. - **Morality and Legality** – do actions have moral consequence in themselves, or only in relation to legal rulings? **Characters** - **Eva Smith/Daisy Renton** – the deceased young woman, representing the working class. - **Inspector Goole** – apparently a police inspector; drives Priestley's socialist views. - **Arthur Birling** – **"a heavy-looking, rather portentous man in his middle fifties"**; represents the ruling capitalist class. - **Sybil Birling** – **"a rather cold woman"** of about fifty; assumes moral superiority. - **Sheila Birling** – begins naive and self-centred, becomes the most sympathetic; her social conscience is awakened. - **Eric Birling** – a **"Jack the Lad"** character with a drinking habit; repents with Sheila. - **Gerald Croft** – Sheila's fiancé; his affair with Eva ends the engagement. - **Edna** – the maid; introduces the Inspector in Act 1. **Context** - Priestley wrote the play in a single week; it is considered a classic of mid-20th century English theatre. - Stephen Daldry's 1992 revival emphasised the 1945 post-war era and the 1912 setting, highlighting Priestley's critique of English society. **Exam focus (Paper 2 Section A: Drama)** - One passage-based and one essay question on each set text. - Test all four AOs: knowledge (AO1), understanding (AO2), analysis of language/structure/form (AO3), personal response (AO4). - Open text: you may take your copy into the exam with highlighting, underlining or brief handwritten notes; **sticky notes are not allowed**.

modern morality play: A play that teaches a moral lesson through its characters and events; An Inspector Calls is described as a modern morality play.
drawing room play: A play set in a single domestic interior, focusing on the interactions of a family or social group; An Inspector Calls is a drawing room play.
Capital versus Labor agitations: Mr Birling's description of the politics of the day, revolving around conflict between Capital (owners) and Labor (workers).
hard-headed businessman: Arthur Birling's proud description of himself; he represents the ruling capitalist class.
Jack the Lad: A term used to describe Eric Birling: a young man with a drinking habit, distanced from his family.
fire and blood and anguish: Inspector Goole's warning: "if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish."
AO1: Show detailed knowledge of the content of literary texts in the three main forms (drama, poetry and prose), supported by reference to the text.
AO2: Understand the meanings of literary texts and their contexts and explore texts beyond surface meanings to show deeper awareness of ideas and attitudes.
AO3: Analyse ways in which writers use language, structure and form to create meanings and achieve effects.
AO4: Communicate a sensitive and informed personal response to literary texts.

फ्लैशकार्ड

Who wrote An Inspector Calls?

J. B. Priestley, an English dramatist.

When and where was An Inspector Calls first performed?

It was first performed in the Soviet Union in May 1945, and at the New Theatre in London the following year (1946).

What genre is An Inspector Calls?

It is a modern morality play and a drawing-room play.

When and where is An Inspector Calls set?

It is set in 1912 in the fictional industrial town of Brumley, in the north Midlands.

Which family does the play focus on?

The prosperous upper-middle-class Birling family.

Who is Inspector Goole?

A man calling himself a police inspector who visits the Birlings to question them about the suicide of a working-class woman, Eva Smith.

What is the name of the young woman whose suicide the Inspector investigates?

Eva Smith, who also uses the names Daisy Renton and Mrs. Birling.

What are the main themes of An Inspector Calls?

Wealth, power and influence; blame and responsibility; public versus private; class politics; and morality and legality.

How does the theme of blame and responsibility develop in the play?

Responsibility gradually spreads from Mr. Birling to Sheila, then Gerald, and so on, as each character is shown to have played a part in Eva Smith's downfall.

What does the theme of public versus private refer to in the play?

The Inspector challenges the family's sense of privacy by revealing that their seemingly private actions have effects beyond themselves and their family.

What does Mr. Birling mean by 'Capital versus Labor agitations'?

He is describing the class conflict between capitalists (like himself) and workers (like the girls who strike in his factory).

How does Mr. Birling describe himself?

As 'a hard-headed, practical man of business' and a 'hard-headed businessman'.

What is the significance of the Inspector's final speech?

He reminds the family that actions have consequences and that all people are intertwined in one society, warning: 'if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.'

How does the play end?

After the family concludes the Inspector was a fraud, the phone rings: the police inform Birling that a young woman has just died in a suspected suicide, and a policeman is on his way to question the family.

Who is Arthur Birling?

A wealthy factory owner, magistrate and local politician, described as 'a heavy-looking, rather portentous man in his middle fifties'. He represents the ruling capitalist class.

Who is Sybil Birling?

Arthur's wife, described as 'a rather cold woman' of about fifty. She is from a higher social class than Arthur and is the leader of a charitable organisation.

Who is Sheila Birling?

The daughter of Arthur and Sybil, who begins as naive and self-centred but becomes the most sympathetic member of the group, showing remorse and encouraging her family to accept responsibility.

Who is Eric Birling?

The son of Arthur and Sybil, presented as a 'Jack the Lad' character with a drinking habit, who raped Eva and made her pregnant.

Who is Gerald Croft?

The son of Sir George and Lady Croft, and Sheila's fiancé. He had an affair with Eva Smith (Daisy Renton) and gave her money and a place to stay.

Who is Edna?

The maid for the Birling family, who introduces the Inspector into the dining room in Act 1.

What does Eva Smith represent?

She represents the working class in a capitalist society. She is described as young and pretty, with dark eyes, and had no one to turn to when she could not support herself.

What is the Inspector's role in the play?

He interrogates the family to expose their guilt rather than to discover unknown information, and he is the drive for Priestley's socialist views within the play.

How does Sheila's character develop over the course of the play?

She begins as naive and self-centred, but her social conscience is awakened and she gains a new awareness of her responsibilities to others, representing the younger generation's break from the selfish behaviour and capitalist views of its elders.

What is the significance of the 1992 Stephen Daldry production?

It referenced both the 1945 post-war era and the 1912 setting, emphasising Goole's observation of the Birlings from Priestley's viewpoint, and is credited with rediscovering Priestley's works and making them politically relevant for modern audiences.

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