An Inspector Calls – Summary

Act 1

We are introduced to the wealthy Birling family and the scene is set: they are having a meal to celebrate the engagement of their daughter Sheila to Gerald Croft. Birling makes a lengthy speech in which he congratulates Sheila and Gerald, but also comments of the state of the nation in which he (wrongly) predicts prosperity. The women then leave the room and Birling and Gerald speak privately – during this conversation Birling confides in Gerald that he is due to receive a knighthood in the next Honours list. Eric returns and Birling is passionately announcing his belief in ‘every man for himself’ when the doorbell rings.

An Inspector is at the door and explains that he is here to investigate the suicide of a young girl who died two hours ago in the Infirmary. He says her name was Eva Smith and the Inspector shows Mr Birling (but no one else) a photograph of the girl. It is revealed that Eva Smith worked for Mr Birling and that she was dismissed after being a ringleader in strike action to demand higher wages.

We discover that Sheila Birling encountered Eva Smith at Milwards, where Sheila jealously insisted that she was dismissed after she believed Eva was laughing at her appearance. Sheila feels tremendously guilty about her part in Eva’s death.

Eva then appears to have changed her name to Daisy Renton. Just before the conclusion of Act 1 Gerald speaks to Sheila about the fact he did know Daisy Renton – he had embarked on a love affair with her – but that he wishes to try to keep this relationship a secret from the Inspector. Sheila tells him that he can keep nothing from the Inspector as he already knows everything.

 

Act 2

We learn that Daisy Renton had engaged in a love affair with Gerald Croft. After meeting her in a bar and feeling sorry for her, he provides accommodation for her in a friend’s house (who is away in Canada for an extended period of time). He had feelings for her and cared deeply about her and she was in love with him. After a number of months he ended the relationship and gave her a gift of some money. Daisy, to try and make the memory of their relationship ‘last longer’ went away somewhere and kept a diary of her relationship with Gerald. After hearing this story, Sheila returns the engagement ring that Gerald gave her.

The Inspector next interrogates Mrs Birling who remains insistent that she had no part to play in Eva Smith’s suicide. We learn that Eva Smith came to her, pregnant and penniless, to ask for help from a charity committee. When asked her name, Eva Smith gave the name ‘Mrs Birling’ which incensed the real Mrs Birling and she therefore used her influence to ensure Eva Smith received no help. Mrs Birling rejects the idea that she is in any way to blame and instead forcefully tells the Inspector that the father of the child is the one who is responsible and insists that it is him who is publically punished. Just after she has made this suggestion, Eric walks in the door…

Act 3

It transpires, to Mrs Birling’s horror, that Eric fathered Eva Smith’s child and the Inspector interrogates him about their relationship before she died. After drunkenly meeting her in a bar he forced his way into her room where he had sex with her. He then later commences a sexual relationship with her. She discovered that she was pregnant and subsequently ended her relationship with Eric declaring that he didn’t love her and so they shouldn’t get married. At this, Eric insists on giving her money which she initially accepts but once she realises that Eric has stolen the money from his father, she refuses to take any more from him.

Before departing, the Inspector makes a final speech telling the Birlings ‘We don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other. And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish’.

After his exit, the Birlings initially fight among themselves until Sheila finally suggests that the Inspector might not have been a real police inspector after all. Gerald returns and confirms this story as he met and spoke to a policeman who had never heard of an Inspector Goole. They soon realise that they may well have all been shown different photographs and Eva Smith may actually be a number of different girls and may not have committed suicide at all. A phone call to the Infirmary confirms that they have not had a recent suicide and the Birlings are incredibly relieved. Sheila and Eric, unlike their parents and Gerald, still see themselves as responsible – whether the girls died or not – as they understand their actions were immoral. As Birling mocks his children for feeling guilty over the death of a fictitious girl, the phone rings…

He answers it to reveal the play’s final twist: ‘That was the police. A girl has just died—on her way to the Infirmary—after swallowing some disinfectant. And a police inspector is on his way here—to ask some—questions—‘