AN INSPECTOR CALLS Characters

Inspector Goole
 Different: Is always putting himself in an opposite position to Mr. B. /Mrs. B (“I don’t play golf” he says to Mr. B when golf is mentioned).
 Socially aware; He promotes socially-responsible ideas which appeal to Sheila “We often do on the young ones. They’re more impressionable.” “We” referring to socialists/activists/Priestley together?
Context  Blunt; Quite brutal in the way he talks about Eva’s death, in order to fully convey the real-life consequences of our actions. “She’d swallowed a lot of strong disinfectant. Burnt her inside out, of course.”
“Yes, but you can’t. It’s too late. She’s dead.”
 Written in 1945, but set in 1912  Supernatural; His name, Goole, hints that he has some kind of supernatural origin. Is he the voice of Priestley? God? Our own consciences? Or society’s conscience?
Life in 1912 Life in 1945  Powerful / assertive; He is very authoritative. He is in control of the family and the situation at all times. “Stop! And be quiet for a moment and listen to me.”
Eva Smith
 Clear divide in wealth and status (class)  Largely because of the World Wara,  Has to live many lives; Also known as Daisy Renton/’Mrs Birling’
between rich and poor – they did not mix there was more crossover (as people  Disadvantaged; Is/was working class. Parents are dead. Moved to Brumley from the countryside for work (lots of people were moving to big towns to seek work. This led to more people than jobs in
had all suffered/worked together towns. Good for Mr. B, bad for people like Eva).
 Unseen; We never actually see her in the play. Unlike many film adaptations she is only ever talked about; she is how the moral of the story is created.
during the war, regardless of wealth)  Attractive; She was pretty. “But she was very pretty.” (Sheila) “She looked young and fresh and charming.” (Gerald)
 Life seemed very good (for the wealthy) at this  1912-1945 was full of terrible events  Strong; She seems to have been a strong person to begin with:
o “…looked as if she could take care of herself.” (Sheila)
time. To the likes of Mr Birling, it seemed like it that disturbed both life and wealth in o “She’d had a lot to say – far too much.” (Mr Birling)
would go on being good forever the UK. (This includes 2 World Wars and a  Genuine; She really did love Gerald and was devastated when the relationship ended: “She felt there’d never be anything as good again for her.” (Inspector)
world-wide financial depression).  Is everybody?;May or may not have actually existed. By the end of the play, we wonder whether she was a composite character or several different girls that were wronged by the family. However, the
phone ringing at the end of the play suggests that what the Inspector said was true. Is she representative of how all working class girls were treated?
 Women were not valued as much as they are  Because women had to take on much Mr Birling
now: of the men’s work in the 1940s, they  Powerful /elitist “…is a heavy-looking, rather portentous man in his middle fifties with fairly easy manners but rather provincial in his speech.” (Stage direction)
 Social climber;We get the impression that Mr Birling is wealthy, but has made his money in industry (a middle-class trait). This makes him socially lower than his wife, who is his “social superior”
- Poor women were seen as had earned more respect and a (Stage direction)
cheap/expendable labour higher status by 1945  Copy-cat / Elitist: Tries to elevate himself socially by emulating his ‘betters’: “It’s exactly the same port your father gets.” (Mr Birling to Gerald)
 Socially UN-aware;He is, in fact, the opposite of Priestley, frequently declaring the exact opposite view: “…a man has to mind his own business and look after himself.” “If we were all responsible for
- Wealthy women were fit only to everything that happened to everybody we’d had anything to do with, it would be very awkward, wouldn’t it?” (Mr Birling)
marry and be wives  Unemotional / detached; Does not seem to be a kind and loving father, “You’re not the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble.” (Eric)
 Workers had very few rights and little power.  The Minimum wage was introduced  Deluded; Looks foolish to the audience by giving advice about a ‘happy future’ in 1912, when the audience in 1945 knew that the next 32 years would be filled with tragedy.
 Stubborn / set in his ways; Does not change his attitude by the end of the play – he is simply relieved not to be in trouble and laughs it off as a joke (until the telephone rings again…) “I wish you could
They could strike, but there were no laws in the UK in the late 1930s! have seen the look on your faces.” (Mr Birling)
protecting them when they returned to work Mrs Birling
 Seems to have married socially downwards. May have been part of the ‘landed gentry’ which were people with titles but very little money. They often married their daughters to middle-class men
 The poor had very little in the way of a “safety  After WW2 the Labour Party came who had made their money in trade and industry. As the person in the family who is the most adamant that she wasn’t to blame, this could be a comment by Priestley about the immovability of the
net” to protect them from illness or bad luck into power and introduced the upper classes.
 Loves manners above all other things; Dislikes Mr Birling’s social faux-pas of praising the cook in front of guests: “Arthur, you’re not supposed to say such things.” (Mrs Birling)
etc. “welfare state”. (This is the overall name  Sees women as inferior to /less powerful than men: Gives Sheila advice about what being a wife is all about; putting up with your husband’s poor behaviour, “When you’re married you’ll realise that
for the NHS, council houses, benefits etc…) men with important work to do sometimes have to spend nearly all their time and energy on their business.”
 Sees the poor as very different to her; Assumes Eva Smith herself is to blame for her own death, believing that suicide only happens amongst the lower classes. “I don’t suppose for a moment that we
can understand why the girl committed suicide. Girls of that class –“ (Mrs Birling) She does not believe that a lower class girl could be capable of making moral decisions. “She was giving herself ridiculous
Writer airs.” (Mrs Birling)
 J. B. Priestley born into a relatively rich middle-class family.  She is deluded / lives in a bubble; she tries to deny things that she doesn’t like, such as Eric’s drinking (“You’re not that type – you don’t get drunk.”)
 Fought in the First World War alongside men of all classes.  Does not take Sheila (or Eric) seriously because of their youth. “You seem to have made a great impression on this child.” (Mrs Birling)
 Is stubborn / set in her ways; Like Mr Birling, she does not change her attitude by the end of the play. “In the morning they’ll be as amused as we are.” (Mrs Birling)
 Political ideas – ‘left-wing’ (so a Labour supporter). Became active in trying to achieve equality/bridging the Sheila
gap between rich and poor in the 1930s  Childish / innocent; “…a pretty girl in her early twenties, very pleased with life and rather excited.” (Stage direction)
 Much of his work involves time-slip/seeming to travel in time (IC = set in 1912, written in 1945. Elements of  Spoilt / materialistic; At the beginning of the play she seems like any other vaguely silly wealthy girl, focusing on material objects and the ultimate goal of getting married. “You’re squiffy.” “[About the
foreshadowing: “In twenty or thirty years – let’s say in 1940...There’ll be peace and prosperity and rapid progress engagement ring] Oh – Gerald – you’ve got it – is it the one you wanted me to have?”
 Smarter than people think!; Is clearly intelligent, as she has her suspicions about Gerald’s unfaithfulness even before the truth comes out, “…except for all last summer, when you never came near me.”
everywhere.” (Mr Birling)) He did this so he could comment on the recent past!  Emotional / sympathetic; Before she even hears about how she personally contributed to Eva Smith’s death, she shows signs of empathy: “I just can’t help thinking about this girl.” She also shows
 Wanted to use the play to explore/introduce socialist ideals – we are all responsible for each other. “We don’t disapproval of her father. “I think it was a mean thing to do.”
live alone. We are members of one body.” (Inspector)  Remorseful / sorry; She is immediately sorry for what she did to Eva Smith, “If I could help her now, I would.”
 Priestley uses the Inspector almost as a mouthpiece for himself. The Inspector spends the play pushing  Perceptive / she gets “it”; to understand the Inspector when others don’t, “He’s giving us the rope so that we’ll hang ourselves.” “Well, he inspected us all right.” Why – you fool – he knows.”
socialist ideals and encouraging people to seize the opportunity to treat people better and end ‘future’  She grows / learns / develops; By the end of the play, Sheila is strongly leaning towards Priestley/the Inspector’s way of thinking, rather than her parents’. “So there’s nothing to be sorry for, nothing
to learn. WE can all go on behaving just as we did.” And it is she who is left the most strongly affected, and therefore has the most hope of making a real difference in the future, “You began to learn
suffering “If men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.” (Inspector) something. And now you’ve stopped.” “I remember what he [the Inspector] said, how he looked, and what he made me feel.” (Sheila)
Eric
 Young and insecure; “…is in his early twenties, not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive.”
 Alcoholic; It is clear from early on in the play that Eric drinks too much (even if Mrs Birling denies it), “Eric suddenly guffaws.” (Stage direction)
Themes Responsibility Family Life  Privileged; It almost seems as though Mr Birling is jealous of the easy life he has provided for Eric, “More money to spend and time to spare than I had when I was Eric’s age.” (Mr Birling)
Relationships Men and Women Young and Old  Socially aware; Like Sheila, he shows disapproval of his father’s actions towards Eva Smith, “Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages?”
 Remorseful / sorry; He is disgusted with himself for his behaviour with Eva, “And I didn’t even remember – that’s the hellish thing. Oh – my God! – how stupid it all is!”
 Socially aware;His story proves that he already felt a sense of responsibility before the Inspector even arrived, as he had tried to get money for Eva Smith when he discovered that she was pregnant.
Previous Exam Questions  Changes / develops / grows;Like Sheila, he is deeply and permanently affected by the events of the evening, suggesting that he will go forward in living his life differently and more responsibly in the
future, “And I agree with Sheila. It frightens me too.”
How and why does Sheila change in An Inspector Calls? Gerald
How does Priestley explore responsibility in An Inspector Calls?  Grown up and confident; “An attractive chap about thirty, rather too manly to be a dandy but very much the easy well-bred young man-about-town.” (Stage direction)
 Upper Class / Wealthy; Is of a higher social class than the Birlings; his parents have titles. His family also seem to own a rival company (Crofts Limited).
How far does Priestley present Eric as a character who changes his attitudes towards himself and  Sides with Birling; Spends a lot of time agreeing with/backing-up Mr Birling – whether he genuinely agrees or is trying to keep his future father-in-law sweet, we don’t know. “You seem to be a nice,
others during the play? well-behaved family.” Yet, he also will stand up to the elder Birlings. “I’m afraid it is…I have gathered that he does drink pretty hard.”
How does Priestley explore the importance of social class in An Inspector Calls?  Liar? / Ashamed? / Gets what he wants?; Initially tries to hide his involvement with Eva Smith (Daisy Renton) “Why should I have known her?”
 Tries to stand up to the insp; Stands up to the Inspector, “Fortunately, it isn’t left to you, is it?”
How far does Priestley present Mrs Birling as an unlikable character?  A bit of an elitist; Like the elder Birlings, he seems to feel that his class makes him better than other people, “We’re respectable citizens and not criminals.”
How does Priestley use the character of the Inspector to suggest ways that society could be  Emotional / Honest; He does seem to have had genuine feelings for Eva Smith (Daisy Renton), “I didn’t ask for anything in return.” “You know, it wasn’t disgusted.” But the relationship was still quite
one-sided. “I didn’t feel about her as she did about me.” He does seem upset at Eva Smith’s death, “As I’m rather more – upset – by this business than I probably appear to be.”
improved?  He is the person who figures out that the Inspector may not have been all that he seemed. He, like the elder Birlings, shows relief at the end of the play, rather than an increased sense of social
responsibility, “Everything’s alright now Sheila.”

1. The Birlings and 3. Following 5. Sheila is then questioned 8. The 1.The Inspector 4. Gerald 6. After she starts being 8. Mrs Birling 1. Eric returns. We find out that he was drunk at 5. The family dissolves 8. Gerald returns. Whilst out 10. The family then discuss 12. The elder Birlings and
Gerald are finishing questioning, it by the Inspector. After being Inspector questions Gerald. goes out for bossy with the Inspector, he refuses to accept the theatre bar one night and was attracted to into shouting and walking, he met a policeman and the idea that no one woman Gerald begin celebrating
a special dinner to transpires that Eva fired by Mr Birling, Eva then 2. He met Eva /Daisy in a walk to questions Mrs Birling. responsibility for Eva Smith. He insisted on going home with her. blaming. asked about Inspector Goole. called Eva Smith ever existed the fact that it was all a
celebrate Sheila and Smith worked in Mr Smith went to work at mentions a theatre bar. She was clear his 7. As the chairwoman of a Eva’s death and 2. Although it is not said explicitly, it is implied 6. The Inspector issues a The policeman had no – that each of them actually hoax, but Eric and Sheila
Gerald’s Birling’s factory. Sheila’s favourite shop. 6. that Eva being harassed by an head. charity she was in a position insists the one to that he forced himself on her sexually. Despite stern warning that they knowledge of such a man. had interactions with refuse to, feeling their
engagement. 4. She is one of several Whilst in a bad mood one Smith older man and he 5. The door to help Eva Smith. She asked blame is the this, they continued to see each other. must learn their lesson 9. Gerald and the elder Birlings different girls. responsibility.
2. An Inspector girls that organise a day, Sheila made a complaint changed her rescued her. slams a 2nd for help because she was father of the 3.Eva then revealed that she was pregnant, and help people more in consider the idea that this may 11.Gerald telephones the 13 As Eric and Sheila
arrives to tell them strike for (slightly) about Eva, after which she is name to 3. He gives her a place time and it pregnant but unmarried. 8. child. leading Eric to steal money from the company the future – or they will have been a hoax. Mr Birling hospital to see if a girl had prepare to go to bed and
that a girl called Eva higher wages. As a fired. Daisy Renton. to stay and money to seems that She tells the committee that 9. Sheila realises to give to her. learn the lesson “in fire telephones the police station to really committed suicide – no leave Mr Birling, Mrs
Smith has died from result, Mr Birling fires 7.This leads Eva to seek out Gerald seems live on. They engage in Eric has her name was ‘Mrs Birling’, Eric is the dad. 4.When Eva found out that the money is stolen, and blood and anguish”. ask, and no inspector matching girl has been admitted. Birling and Gerald
drinking strong her. money by hanging around at to recognise an affair, but eventually also left the which made the real Mrs Mrs. B realises she refused to take any more. She also refused 7. The Inspector leaves. that description exists. celebrating, the telephone
disinfectant. the Palace Theatre Bar. the name… Gerald ends it. house. Birling turn her away. too late! to marry Eric because they were not in love. rings…

Act One Act Two Act Three