Introduction
Understanding the characters in An Inspector Calls is essential for GCSE English Literature. Priestley uses each character to explore important themes such as social responsibility, class inequality, capitalism, socialism and the generational divide.
Rather than simply being realistic people, the characters are often used to represent different attitudes and beliefs within society.
Inspector Goole
Who is Inspector Goole?
Inspector Goole arrives unexpectedly during the Birling family’s celebration and investigates the death of Eva Smith.
He drives the action of the play and exposes each character’s role in Eva’s downfall.
Characteristics
- Intelligent
- Authoritative
- Moral
- Calm
- Mysterious
Role in the Play
The Inspector:
- Reveals the truth.
- Encourages responsibility.
- Challenges selfish behaviour.
- Represents Priestley’s views.
Key Theme Links
- Social responsibility
- Justice
- Equality
- Socialism
Arthur Birling
Who is Mr Birling?
Arthur Birling is a wealthy businessman and the head of the Birling family.
Characteristics
- Arrogant
- Selfish
- Capitalist
- Proud
- Stubborn
Role in the Play
Mr Birling believes:
- People should look after themselves.
- Business success is most important.
- Social responsibility is unnecessary.
He refuses to learn from the Inspector’s message.
Key Theme Links
- Capitalism
- Class
- Power
- Responsibility
Sybil Birling
Who is Mrs Birling?
Mrs Birling is Arthur Birling’s wife and a member of the upper class.
Characteristics
- Snobbish
- Judgmental
- Cold
- Proud
- Uncompassionate
Role in the Play
She rejects Eva Smith’s request for charity assistance and refuses to accept responsibility for her actions.
Even after the Inspector leaves, she does not change her views.
Key Theme Links
- Class inequality
- Responsibility
- Gender
- Power
Sheila Birling
Who is Sheila Birling?
Sheila is the daughter of Mr and Mrs Birling.
She experiences one of the greatest changes in the play.
Characteristics at the Beginning
- Naive
- Spoilt
- Immature
Characteristics at the End
- Responsible
- Mature
- Compassionate
Role in the Play
After realising that her actions helped ruin Eva’s life, Sheila quickly accepts responsibility and learns from the experience.
She becomes one of Priestley’s strongest voices for change.
Key Theme Links
- Responsibility
- Generational divide
- Change
- Social awareness
Eric Birling
Who is Eric?
Eric is the son of Mr and Mrs Birling.
Characteristics
Beginning
- Immature
- Secretive
- Troubled
End
- Honest
- Responsible
- Remorseful
Role in the Play
Eric admits:
- He had a relationship with Eva.
- He made her pregnant.
- He stole money to try to support her.
He accepts his mistakes and recognises the consequences of his actions.
Key Theme Links
- Responsibility
- Guilt
- Generational divide
Gerald Croft
Who is Gerald?
Gerald Croft is Sheila’s fiancé and comes from a wealthy family.
Characteristics
- Charming
- Confident
- Respectable
- Privileged
Role in the Play
Gerald had a relationship with Eva under the name Daisy Renton.
Although he helps her for a time, he eventually abandons her.
After discovering the Inspector may not be genuine, Gerald focuses more on avoiding embarrassment than on moral responsibility.
Key Theme Links
- Class
- Responsibility
- Gender
Eva Smith / Daisy Renton
Who is Eva Smith?
Eva Smith never appears on stage.
However, she is the most important character in the play.
Characteristics
- Hardworking
- Independent
- Vulnerable
- Honest
Role in the Play
Eva represents:
- Working-class people
- Victims of inequality
- Ordinary people affected by the actions of others
Priestley uses her story to demonstrate how powerful people can damage the lives of vulnerable individuals.
Key Theme Links
- Class inequality
- Social responsibility
- Exploitation
Character Development
Characters Who Change
Sheila
Changes from immature to responsible.
Eric
Changes from careless to accountable.
Both accept the Inspector’s message.
Characters Who Do Not Change
Mr Birling
Remains selfish and concerned with reputation.
Mrs Birling
Continues refusing responsibility.
Gerald
Partially changes but quickly returns to his previous attitudes.
Character Comparison
Sheila vs Mrs Birling
| Sheila | Mrs Birling |
|---|---|
| Accepts responsibility | Refuses responsibility |
| Learns from mistakes | Learns nothing |
| Compassionate | Judgmental |
| Represents change | Represents stubbornness |
Eric vs Mr Birling
| Eric | Mr Birling |
|---|---|
| Accepts blame | Avoids blame |
| Learns lessons | Ignores lessons |
| Feels guilty | Feels embarrassed |
| Represents hope | Represents selfishness |
GCSE Practice Questions
1 Mark Questions
Q1
Who is Sheila’s fiancé?
Q2
Which character investigates Eva Smith’s death?
Q3
Who owns the factory where Eva worked?
Q4
Which character becomes pregnant with Eric’s child?
2 Mark Questions
Q5
State two characteristics of Mr Birling.
Q6
Give two ways Sheila changes during the play.
Q7
State two characteristics of the Inspector.
Q8
Give two reasons Eric feels guilty.
3 Mark Questions
Q9
Explain why Priestley presents Sheila as a changing character.
Q10
Describe how Gerald contributed to Eva’s downfall.
Q11
Explain why Eva Smith is important despite never appearing on stage.
Q12
Describe the differences between Eric and Mr Birling.
4 Mark Questions
Q13
Explain how Priestley presents Mr Birling as a capitalist character.
Q14
Explain how Sheila represents hope for the future.
Q15
Explain how the Inspector influences the Birling family.
Q16
Explain how Priestley presents class through Mrs Birling.
6 Mark Questions
Q17
How does Priestley present responsibility through Sheila and Eric?
Q18
Explain how Priestley presents the Inspector as a powerful character.
Q19
How does Priestley use Eva Smith to communicate his ideas about society?
8 Mark Questions
Q20
Explore how Priestley presents the differences between the older and younger generations in An Inspector Calls.
Answers
Q1
Gerald Croft.
Q2
Inspector Goole.
Q3
Arthur Birling.
Q4
Eva Smith.
Q5
- Arrogant
- Selfish
Q6
- She becomes more responsible.
- She becomes more mature.
Q7
- Authoritative
- Intelligent
Q8
- He made Eva pregnant.
- He stole money to support her.
Q9
Priestley presents Sheila as a changing character to show that people can learn from their mistakes and become more socially responsible.
Q10
Gerald had an affair with Eva and later ended the relationship, leaving her without support.
Q11
Eva is the focus of the entire investigation. Through her experiences, Priestley criticises social inequality and selfish behaviour.
Q12
Eric accepts responsibility and feels genuine guilt, while Mr Birling refuses responsibility and focuses on protecting his reputation.
Q13
Mr Birling believes that business owners should prioritise profit and that individuals should look after themselves. These views reflect capitalist beliefs.
Q14
Sheila learns from her mistakes, accepts responsibility and supports the Inspector’s message. Priestley uses her to represent a better future.
Q15
The Inspector exposes secrets, challenges attitudes and encourages the family to reflect on their actions and responsibilities.
Q16
Mrs Birling looks down on lower-class people and believes social status is important. Priestley uses her to criticise class prejudice.
Q17 (6 Marks)
Priestley presents responsibility through Sheila and Eric by showing how they recognise the consequences of their actions. Both characters accept blame for their roles in Eva’s suffering and learn important lessons. Unlike their parents, they understand that people have responsibilities towards others. Through them, Priestley suggests that society can improve if individuals accept accountability.
Q18 (6 Marks)
The Inspector is presented as a powerful figure because he controls the investigation and challenges the attitudes of the Birling family. He speaks with authority and exposes uncomfortable truths. His final speech delivers Priestley’s message about social responsibility and equality, making him one of the most influential characters in the play.
Q19 (6 Marks)
Eva Smith represents ordinary working-class people who suffer because of the actions of the powerful. Although she never appears on stage, every major event revolves around her experiences. Priestley uses Eva to show how inequality, prejudice and selfishness can damage lives and to encourage greater social responsibility.
Q20 (8 Marks)
Priestley presents a clear contrast between the older and younger generations. Mr and Mrs Birling refuse to accept responsibility and focus on protecting their reputation, while Sheila and Eric accept blame and recognise the moral lessons of the Inspector’s investigation. Through this contrast, Priestley suggests that younger people are more capable of change and are therefore the hope for a fairer and more responsible society.
