An Inspector Calls plot summary Flashcards
How does the play open?
With an over the top dinner, the family are dressed for dinner and the room is highly decorated
What is Mr Birling’s first speech about?
How happy he is about the engagement, he thinks it will advance his business
What is Mr Birling’s second speech about?
What a good time the world is, how confident he is that war will not happen
What does Mr Birling give Gerald a speech about?
How ‘a man has to make his own way - has to look after himself, and his family too’
How did Eva Smith die?
Drinking disinfectant
Why did Mr Birling fire Eva?
For going on strike
Expand the quote said by Sheila in Act 1 ‘Is it the one you wanted me to have… now I really feel engaged’
Upper class women got a fancy ring to show that someone new owns them.
Now that she has a ring, she starts to feel the new ownership too.
Expand the quote said by Sheila in Act 1 ‘Why - you fool- he knows’
Sheila has quickly understood that Google is smart
She knows they cannot hide anything
This shows maturity and intelligence
Expand the quote said by Sheila in Act 1 ‘So I’m really responsible?’
First reaction is to accept responsibility
Contrasts to Mr Birling’s complete denial
Expand the quote said by Mr Birling in Act 1 ‘A man has to make his own way…’
Highlights selfish capitalist views
Encourages Gerald to only think about himself
Thinks if people fail that it is there own fault
Expand the quote said by Mr Birling in Act 1 ‘I can’t accept any responsibility’
Implies that Eva’s misfortune was her own fault
Upper-class pre-war attitudes of denial
Expand the quote said by Mrs Birling in Act 1 ‘Arthur you’re not supposed to say such things’
She has strong views about appropriate conversation topics
She scolds Mr Birling multiple times, showing she has little power
Why does Mr Birling encourage Sheila to rethink calling of the marriage?
He is motivated by the benefits the marriage could bring him
Why did Mrs Birling reject Eva!
The girl was ‘impudent’ and introduced herself as Mrs Birling
Expand the quote said by Sheila in Act 2 ‘You and I aren’t the same people who sat down to dinner here’
Shows emotional maturity
She does not hate him but feels she can’t spend her life with a man she doesn’t know
Expand the quote said by Sheila in Act 2 ‘We really must stop these silly pretences’
She knows that the inspector already knows how every family member was involved
Tells upper class people that they need to care less about social appearances
Expand the quote said by Sheila in Act 2 ‘I’m afraid you’ll say something’
She attempts to warn her mother about the inspector
Inspector Goole is giving each character the rope to hang themselves with
Expand the quote said by Inspector Goole in Act 2 ‘Public men, Mr Birling, have their responsibilities as well as their privileges’
Although upper class men are free to enjoy the benefits of their lifestyle, they should be responsible members of society who care for lower class
Stems from the war and upper class generals and and leaders protecting themselves
Expand the quote said by Mrs Birling in Act 2 ‘It’s you - and not the inspector’
The family members have begun to separate
They verbally attack one another suggesting their perfect family is not so perfect after all
Expand the quote said by Mrs Birling in Act 2 ‘She had only herself to blame’
She also blames the man who got her pregnant
She doesn’t understand that she should think about other people
Only cares about her own family
Expand the quote said by Mrs Birling in Act 2 ‘You know, of course, that my husband ..’
Mr and Mrs Birling find it unacceptable that Inspector Goole refuses to worship them
Expand the quote said by Mrs Birling in Act 2 ‘Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility’
Irony when she finds out the father is her son
As long as the man is anonymous she doesn’t care what happens to him
When she realises it may be her son she stutters and stops talking
Expand the quote said by Mrs Birling in Act 2 ‘You seem to have made a great impression on this child’
She doesn’t respect Sheila as a young adult
She belittles the effects the inspector has had
What does Goole give a speech about before he leaves?
They can’t undo what they’ve done
They should think before they act
