Introduction
Understanding the plot of An Inspector Calls is essential for success in GCSE English Literature. However, strong exam answers do not simply retell what happens. Instead, they explain how Priestley uses the plot to develop themes such as social responsibility, class inequality, capitalism versus socialism and the generational divide.
The play follows the wealthy Birling family during a single evening in 1912. Their celebration is interrupted by Inspector Goole, whose investigation gradually reveals that each family member played a part in the downfall of a young working-class woman called Eva Smith.
Overview of the Plot
The plot takes place over three acts:
- Act One: The Inspector arrives and questions Mr Birling and Sheila.
- Act Two: Gerald and Mrs Birling are questioned.
- Act Three: Eric confesses, the Inspector leaves and the shocking final twist occurs.
Priestley uses the plot to show how one person’s actions can affect the lives of others.
Act One: The Celebration is Interrupted
The Birling Family
The play opens in the Birling family’s dining room.
The family are celebrating:
- Sheila Birling’s engagement
- Gerald Croft’s engagement to Sheila
The mood is positive, comfortable and confident.
Mr Birling’s Speech
Mr Birling gives several speeches about:
- Business success
- Self-interest
- Personal responsibility
He believes people should look after themselves rather than others.
This immediately introduces the theme of capitalism.
Inspector Goole Arrives
The celebration is interrupted by a sharp ring of the doorbell.
Inspector Goole arrives and announces that a young woman named Eva Smith has died after drinking disinfectant.
This creates an immediate change in atmosphere from celebration to tension.
Arthur Birling’s Connection
The Inspector reveals:
- Eva worked in Birling’s factory.
- She was dismissed after asking for a small pay rise.
Mr Birling refuses to accept responsibility and insists that he acted as any businessman would.
Sheila’s Connection
The Inspector then questions Sheila.
She confesses:
- She was jealous of Eva.
- She complained about her at a department store.
- Eva lost her job because of Sheila’s actions.
Unlike her father, Sheila immediately feels guilty and accepts responsibility.
End of Act One
The Inspector reveals that Eva later changed her name to Daisy Renton.
Gerald reacts nervously.
The audience realises he has something to hide.
The act ends with a cliffhanger.
Act Two: More Secrets are Exposed
Gerald’s Confession
Gerald admits:
- He met Daisy Renton.
- They had an affair.
- He provided her with accommodation and money.
- He later ended the relationship.
Although he helped her for a period, he also contributed to her unhappiness.
Sheila’s Development
Sheila returns Gerald’s engagement ring.
This shows:
- Increased maturity.
- Acceptance of responsibility.
- Growing understanding of the Inspector’s message.
Mrs Birling’s Connection
Mrs Birling reveals she was involved through her charity organisation.
Eva asked for help because:
- She was pregnant.
- She had no money.
- She was desperate.
Mrs Birling refused support and used her influence to ensure Eva received no help.
Dramatic Irony
Mrs Birling blames the baby’s father and argues he should be punished.
The audience begins to realise that she is unknowingly referring to her own son, Eric.
This creates powerful dramatic irony.
End of Act Two
As Mrs Birling continues blaming the father, Eric enters.
The act ends immediately.
This creates suspense and anticipation.
Act Three: Truth and Consequences
Eric’s Confession
Eric admits:
- He met Eva.
- He made her pregnant.
- He stole money from his father’s business.
- Eva refused the stolen money.
Eric accepts responsibility for his actions.
The Inspector’s Final Message
Before leaving, the Inspector delivers a powerful speech.
He argues that:
- Everyone is connected.
- Society must care for all its members.
- People are responsible for one another.
This speech presents Priestley’s main message of social responsibility.
The Inspector’s Identity
After the Inspector leaves:
- Gerald discovers there is no Inspector Goole on the local police force.
- A hospital confirms that no suicide has recently been reported.
The family begin to suspect the Inspector was a fraud.
Different Reactions
Older Generation
Mr and Mrs Birling:
- Feel relieved.
- Focus on reputation.
- Refuse to learn from the experience.
Younger Generation
Sheila and Eric:
- Continue to feel guilty.
- Understand the moral lesson.
- Recognise that their actions still happened.
The Final Twist
Just as the family believes everything is over:
- The telephone rings.
- A young woman has died.
- A real inspector is on his way.
The play ends immediately.
This dramatic ending leaves the audience shocked and reinforces Priestley’s message.
Key Plot-Based Themes
Social Responsibility
Every member of the Birling family contributes to Eva’s suffering.
Priestley shows that people have a duty to care for others.
Class Inequality
The wealthy characters repeatedly use their power against Eva.
Priestley criticises the unfair treatment of working-class people.
Capitalism vs Socialism
Mr Birling represents capitalism and self-interest.
Inspector Goole represents socialism and collective responsibility.
Generational Divide
The younger generation change and learn.
The older generation remain stubborn and unchanged.
GCSE Practice Questions
1 Mark Questions
Q1
What is the name of the Inspector?
Q2
What is being celebrated at the start of the play?
Q3
What job did Eva Smith originally have?
Q4
Who was engaged to Sheila Birling?
2 Mark Questions
Q5
Give two reasons why Eva lost jobs during the play.
Q6
State two ways Sheila changes during the play.
Q7
Give two examples of dramatic tension in the plot.
Q8
Name two characters who accept responsibility.
3 Mark Questions
Q9
Explain how the Inspector changes the atmosphere of the play.
Q10
Describe Gerald’s relationship with Daisy Renton.
Q11
Explain why Sheila feels guilty.
Q12
Describe one difference between Sheila and Mrs Birling.
4 Mark Questions
Q13
Explain how Priestley presents responsibility through the plot.
Q14
Explain how the ending of Act One creates suspense.
Q15
Explain how Eric contributes to Eva’s downfall.
Q16
Explain how Priestley presents class differences in the plot.
6 Mark Questions
Q17
How does Priestley use the plot to present social responsibility?
Q18
Explain how Priestley builds tension across the three acts.
Q19
How does Priestley present the younger generation through the events of the play?
8 Mark Questions
Q20
Explore how Priestley uses the plot of An Inspector Calls to communicate his message about society.
Answers
Q1
Inspector Goole.
Q2
Sheila Birling and Gerald Croft’s engagement.
Q3
She worked in Mr Birling’s factory.
Q4
Gerald Croft.
Q5
- Mr Birling dismissed her from his factory.
- Sheila got her fired from Milwards.
Q6
- She accepts responsibility.
- She becomes more mature.
Q7
- Gerald’s reaction to the name Daisy Renton.
- Eric’s arrival at the end of Act Two.
Q8
- Sheila.
- Eric.
Q9
The Inspector changes the atmosphere from celebration and confidence to tension and guilt. His arrival exposes secrets and forces the family to confront their actions.
Q10
Gerald had an affair with Daisy Renton. He provided her with accommodation and support for a period before ending the relationship.
Q11
Sheila knows that her complaint caused Eva to lose her job. She recognises that her actions contributed to Eva’s difficulties.
Q12
Sheila accepts responsibility and learns from the experience, whereas Mrs Birling refuses to admit she has done anything wrong.
Q13
Priestley presents responsibility through the chain of events linking every character to Eva Smith. Each person’s actions contribute to her suffering, showing that individuals affect the lives of others.
Q14
The act ends immediately after Gerald reacts to the name Daisy Renton. This suggests he has a secret connection to Eva and encourages the audience to keep watching.
Q15
Eric made Eva pregnant and stole money in an attempt to support her. His actions added to the difficulties she faced and contributed to her tragic situation.
Q16
The wealthy Birlings have power and influence, while Eva has very little. Priestley uses these differences to show how working-class people could be treated unfairly.
Q17 (6 Marks)
Priestley presents social responsibility through the Inspector’s investigation. Each member of the Birling family contributes to Eva’s suffering in some way. Through the chain of events, Priestley demonstrates that actions have consequences and that people must care about the welfare of others. The Inspector’s final speech reinforces this message and acts as a warning to society.
Q18 (6 Marks)
Tension is built through the gradual release of information. Each character is questioned one at a time, creating suspense about who will be exposed next. Priestley also uses cliffhangers at the end of Acts One and Two. The final telephone call creates the greatest tension because it reveals that another inspector is coming.
Q19 (6 Marks)
The younger generation is presented as capable of learning and changing. Sheila and Eric accept responsibility for their mistakes and understand the Inspector’s message. They continue to feel guilty even after discovering that the Inspector may not have been real. Priestley suggests that young people offer hope for a better future.
Q20 (8 Marks)
Priestley carefully structures the plot to communicate his message about society. The investigation reveals how a series of selfish actions can combine to cause great harm. Through Inspector Goole, Priestley argues that people must take responsibility for one another. The contrast between the younger and older generations shows different responses to this lesson. The dramatic final twist reinforces the idea that society cannot escape responsibility and must learn from its mistakes.
