An Inspector Calls Revision Guide
An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley is a set text for most GCSE English Literature exam boards. Written in 1945 but set in 1912, the play is a powerful critique of social inequality, responsibility, and the class system. A mysterious Inspector visits the wealthy Birling family and reveals how each of them contributed to the death of a young working-class woman. This guide covers characters, themes, social context, key quotes, and exam technique.
Plot Summary
The Birling family is celebrating the engagement of Sheila Birling to Gerald Croft. Arthur Birling makes a speech about how every man should look after himself. Inspector Goole arrives and announces that a young woman, Eva Smith (also known as Daisy Renton), has died after swallowing disinfectant.
The Inspector reveals that each family member played a part: Mr Birling sacked her from his factory, Sheila got her fired from a shop, Gerald kept her as a mistress then abandoned her, Mrs Birling refused her charity when she was pregnant, and Eric (the son) got her pregnant and stole money for her. After the Inspector leaves, the family question whether he was a real inspector, but a phone call confirms a girl has just died and a police inspector is on the way.
Character Analysis
Mr Arthur Birling
A wealthy factory owner and local politician. He is arrogant, self-centred, and obsessed with social status. He dismisses community responsibility and makes embarrassingly wrong predictions about the Titanic and war. Priestley uses him to represent the selfish, capitalist upper class that refuses to change. He learns nothing by the end.
Mrs Sybil Birling
Even more cold and class-conscious than her husband. She is a charity worker who refuses to help Eva because she considers her socially inferior. She shows no remorse and blames the father of the child, not realising it is her own son Eric. She represents the hypocrisy of upper-class philanthropy.
Sheila Birling
Sheila begins as a spoilt, shallow girl but becomes the character who changes the most. She feels genuine guilt and accepts responsibility. She represents the younger generation that Priestley hopes will build a more equal society. Her transformation is the moral heart of the play.
Eric Birling
Eric is an alcoholic who got Eva pregnant and stole money from his father to support her. Although his behaviour is wrong, he shows genuine remorse and anger at his parents for their refusal to accept responsibility. Like Sheila, he represents hope for change.
Inspector Goole
The Inspector is Priestley's mouthpiece. He may not be a real police inspector: his name sounds like "ghoul." He represents conscience, morality, and social justice. His final speech is the play's key message: "We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other."
Key Themes
- Social responsibility: Priestley's central message. The Inspector argues that we are all connected and must look after each other. Mr Birling's "every man for himself" philosophy is shown to be morally bankrupt.
- Class and inequality: The Birlings exploit Eva Smith because she is working class. The play exposes how the upper classes abuse their power and treat workers as disposable.
- Generational divide: The older Birlings refuse to change. Sheila and Eric accept responsibility and want to be better. Priestley places his hope in the younger generation.
- Gender: Eva is exploited by men (Gerald, Eric) and judged by women (Sheila, Mrs Birling). The play shows how women had very few options in Edwardian society.
- Guilt and responsibility: Each character reacts differently to their guilt. Sheila and Eric accept it. Mr and Mrs Birling try to evade it. Gerald finds a convenient excuse to move on.
Social and Historical Context
- Set in 1912: Before WW1, before the Titanic sank. The Edwardian era was a time of huge class division: the wealthy lived in luxury while the working class suffered.
- Written in 1945: After two world wars had changed society. The welfare state was being created. Priestley wanted audiences to learn from the past and build a fairer future.
- Priestley was a socialist: He believed in collective responsibility and used the play to argue against unbridled capitalism.
- Dramatic irony: The 1945 audience knows Mr Birling's predictions about the war and the Titanic are wrong. This undermines everything he says and makes the audience distrust his views.
Key Quotes
- "We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other." (Inspector, Act 3) — The central message of the play.
- "A man has to mind his own business and look after himself" (Mr Birling, Act 1) — Represents the selfish capitalist view Priestley attacks.
- "If men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish" (Inspector, Act 3) — A warning about the consequences of ignoring social responsibility.
- "But these girls aren't cheap labour. They're people." (Sheila, Act 1) — Shows Sheila beginning to develop social conscience.
- "The point is, you don't seem to have learnt anything." (Sheila, Act 3) — Sheila challenges her parents' refusal to change.
Exam Tips
- Always refer to Priestley as a writer with a purpose: "Priestley uses... to convey his message that..."
- Context is essential: explain the difference between the 1912 setting and the 1945 audience. Use the term dramatic irony.
- Compare characters: contrast Sheila with Mrs Birling, or Eric with Mr Birling, to show the generational divide.
- Discuss Priestley as a socialist. He wrote the play to challenge capitalism and promote collective responsibility.
- The ending is cyclical (the phone rings again). Discuss what this means: the family will be tested again, and the message cannot be ignored.
Practice Questions
- How does Priestley present Mr Birling as a selfish character?
- How does Sheila change over the course of the play?
- How does Priestley use the Inspector to convey his message about social responsibility?
- Explore how Priestley presents the theme of class in An Inspector Calls.
- How does the ending of the play affect the audience?
Recommended Revision Guides
Highly rated guides for GCSE An Inspector Calls:
- CGP An Inspector Calls Revision Guide — Comprehensive notes with practice questions.
- York Notes An Inspector Calls Study Guide — Character maps, theme analysis and exam practice.
- Heinemann An Inspector Calls (Play Text) — The full play with helpful introduction and notes.