Summary of each act

Question 1

Can you summarise Act 1?

Answer 1

• Mr B, Mrs B, Eric, Sheila and Gerald are having a dinner to CELEBRATE THE ENGAGEMENT of Sheila and Gerald.
• INSPECTOR CALLS to speak to Mr B about a girl (Eva Smith) who has died at the infirmary after DRINKING DISINFECTANT.
• 2 years ago, Mr B FIRED EVA after leading a STRIKE for higher wages. He believes he is fully JUSTIFIED.
• Eva got a job at Milward’s but was FIRED AGAIN after Sheila complained about her. Sheila was JEALOUS.
• Eva was unable to get another job so CHANGED HER NAME to Daisy Renton. Gerald recognises the name.
• Whilst the Inspector is out the room, Sheila accuses Gerald of having an affair with Daisy. He initially DENIES IT but eventually confesses to Sheila and tells he to KEEP IT A SECRET.

Question 2

Can you summarise Act 2?

Answer 2

• Inspector returns with Mr and Mrs Birling and Gerald is FORCED TO ADMIT to his affair.
  WHAT GERALD DID =
• he RESCUED Daisy from a bar.
• he put her in some rooms he was looking after, but broke it off when he needed to leave on business.
• he swears that his concern and pity for her was authentic and that he hadn’t helped her to sleep with her.
• Sheila gives him the engagement ring.
• Mrs B is QUESTIONED.
• Mrs B ensured that a young, PREGNANT WOMAN was refused help.
• woman told the committee that she wasn’t married to the father, who was a HEAVY DRINKER, so marriage was out the question.
• He had been supporting her with STOLEN money.
• Mrs B BLAMES THE FATHER and says he is RESPONSIBLE.
• Family realise IT IS ERIC.

Question 3

Can you summarise Act 3?

Answer 3

• Eric ADMITS to DRINKING HEAVILY and acting AGGRESIVELY toward Eva to get her to SLEEP with him.
• He used money FROM HIS FATHER’S company accounts to support her.
• She learnt it was stolen, so REFUSED his help.
• Sheila went to Mrs B for help but was DENIED IT.
• Eric is FURIOUS and Mrs B is upset that her son would act in such a way.
• Inspector looses his PATIENCE and tells the Birlings that they should never forget what they did.
• he says that if people in society DON’T ACCEPT their responsibility , then “fire, blood and anguish” will follow.
• the family ARGUE and Gerald RETURNS.
• they realise that the Inspector WASN’T A REAL POLICE INVESTIGATOR and NO GIRL DIED.
• Gerald, Mr and Mrs B are RELIEVED there will be no public scandal.
• Sheila and Eric believe they should LEARN from the INSPECTOR’S VISIT.
• PHONE RINGS, a girl DIED on her way to the infirmary and the Inspector is on his way to QUESTION the Birlings.