'An Inspector Calls' - Summary

Summary

In 'An Inspector Calls', set in 1912, the Birling family faces scrutiny over their involvement in Eva Smith's death. Each member is questioned by a police inspector about their responsibility in her tragic fate, revealing social irresponsibility, class inequality, and moral hypocrisy. The play concludes with a twist, challenging the family's moral accountability and emphasizing the importance of empathy and social justice.

Takeaways

• 📅 An Inspector Calls is set in 1912, highlighting themes of social responsibility, class inequality, and moral hypocrisy.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The play revolves around the Birling family, who are celebrating Sheila's engagement to Gerald Croft.
• 🚨 Inspector Goole's arrival disrupts the celebration with news of Eva Smith's death, prompting an inquiry into her demise.
• 🏭 Mr. Birling is implicated for firing Eva from his factory, reflecting his belief in self-interest over social responsibility.
• 👗 Sheila admits to getting Eva fired from a store out of jealousy, demonstrating her complicity and moral accountability.
• 💔 Gerald's affair with Eva, known as Daisy Renton, underpins class prejudice and his eventual rejection of her due to social status.
• 🤰 Mrs. Birling's refusal to aid a desperate Eva, who was pregnant with Eric's child, underscores her rigid moral stance and lack of empathy.
• 😳 Eric's drunken encounter with Eva, leading to a secret relationship and pregnancy, reveals his immaturity and impulsiveness.
• 👮‍♂️ The supposed 'hoax' of Inspector Goole's identity and the lack of police record about Eva's death leads to mixed reactions among the family.
• 📞 A final twist with a real police call confirms Eva's death, reasserting the family's moral culpability despite the inspector's authenticity being questioned.
• 🌟 The play concludes with a call for empathy, compassion, and social justice, challenging the audience to reflect on their own values and responsibilities.

Q & A

What are the three key themes explored in 'An Inspector Calls'?

The three key themes explored in 'An Inspector Calls' are social responsibility, class inequality, and moral hypocrisy.

In which year is 'An Inspector Calls' set?

The play is set in the spring of 1912.

Who is the young woman whose death is being investigated in the play?

The young woman whose death is being investigated is named Eva Smith.

What is the dramatic irony mentioned in the play concerning Mr. Birling's predictions?

The dramatic irony lies in Mr. Birling's predictions that there will be no World War and that the Titanic is unsinkable, despite the audience knowing that both events will occur.

What is the significance of the inspector's arrival during the family's celebration?

The inspector's arrival disrupts the family's celebration and introduces the theme of social responsibility by investigating the death of Eva Smith.

How does Mr. Birling justify his dismissal of Eva Smith from his factory?

Mr. Birling justifies his dismissal of Eva Smith by claiming it was a business decision to keep costs down and eliminate troublemakers.

What is Sheila Birling's connection to Eva Smith's employment at Milwood?

Sheila Birling complained about Eva at Milwood, leading to Eva's firing because she was jealous of how Eva looked in a dress.

Why does Gerald Croft end his relationship with Daisy Renton?

Gerald ends his relationship with Daisy Renton because of their class difference, stating they could not marry.

What does Mrs. Birling reveal about her encounter with Eva Smith at the Brumley women's charity organization?

Mrs. Birling admits that she refused to help Eva Smith when she visited the charity organization because Eva was using her name and claimed to be married.

How does Eric Birling contribute to Eva Smith's tragic fate?

Eric Birling got Eva pregnant and stole money from his father to support her, but Eva ended the relationship when she found out about the theft.

What is the final twist in the play regarding Inspector Goole?

The final twist is that Inspector Goole is revealed to be a fake, and there is no record of Eva Smith's death at the police station or the hospital.

What lesson does 'An Inspector Calls' impart about individual responsibility and social justice?

The play challenges the audience to reflect on their own values and responsibilities, emphasizing the importance of empathy, compassion, and social justice.