Author: J.B. Priestley
First Performed: 1945 (set in 1912)
Genre: Play / Drama / Political Theatre
Level: GCSE English Literature (AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC)
⭐ Why It Matters
Set in pre-WWI Britain but written after WWII, An Inspector Calls is both a gripping mystery and a powerful critique of class, responsibility, and inequality. It’s a key text on many GCSE syllabuses because of its tight structure, clear character arcs, and timeless moral questions.
👥 Main Characters
- Arthur Birling – A wealthy businessman, proud capitalist, and patriarch of the Birling family.
- Sybil Birling – His wife; socially superior and cold-hearted.
- Sheila Birling – Their daughter; begins the play immature but becomes more empathetic.
- Eric Birling – Their son; awkward and secretive, ultimately reveals his own guilt.
- Gerald Croft – Sheila’s fiancé; from another wealthy family, tied into the mystery.
- Inspector Goole – The mysterious, morally driven inspector who interrogates the family.
- Eva Smith / Daisy Renton – The young working-class woman who dies by suicide; never appears on stage but is central to the plot.
📚 Plot Summary
🔹 Act 1 – The Interruption
The Birling family celebrates Sheila’s engagement to Gerald with a formal dinner. Mr Birling delivers pompous speeches about progress, prosperity, and the impossibility of war or labour unrest.
Inspector Goole arrives unexpectedly, announcing that a young woman, Eva Smith, has died by suicide. One by one, he reveals each person’s connection to her.
- Mr Birling sacked Eva from his factory for leading a strike for fair wages.
- Sheila got Eva fired from a department store out of jealousy and spite.
🔹 Act 2 – The Pressure Builds
The Inspector reveals that:
- Gerald had an affair with Eva (then using the name Daisy Renton) while she was vulnerable and alone.
- Mrs Birling, as a charity board member, coldly rejected Eva’s plea for help when she was pregnant, believing she was lying.
Each character tries to deflect responsibility, but the Inspector insists they all played a part in her downfall.
🔹 Act 3 – Consequences
- Eric is revealed to be the father of Eva’s unborn child. He stole money to support her, which she refused.
- The Inspector delivers a powerful speech about collective responsibility: “We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.”
After he leaves, the Birlings argue. Mr and Mrs Birling and Gerald cling to the hope that it was a hoax. Sheila and Eric, however, are horrified by what they’ve done and vow to change.
Then — a twist: a phone call announces that a real police inspector is on the way to question them about a girl’s suicide.
🧠 Themes & Takeaways
- Responsibility – Priestley contrasts individual denial with collective accountability.
- Class & Inequality – The Birlings’ wealth shields them from consequences, while Eva suffers from society’s indifference.
- Gender – Eva’s treatment reflects women’s vulnerability and double standards.
- Generational Divide – The younger characters change; the older ones resist.
- Power & Hypocrisy – Social status is used to protect pride, not people.
- Morality vs Appearance – The Inspector exposes how easily image can mask cruelty.
