An Inspector Calls

1912; An Inspector Calls is set in 1912, the first world war would start in 2 years. There were strong distinctions (difference) between the upper and lower class. Women weren't as important compared to men. All women could really do was get married; a poor woman was seen as cheap labour. The ruling classes saw no need to change there ways

1945; An Inspector Calls was written in 1945, ths second world war ended in this. As a result of the wars, women had earned a more auled place in society. Great desire for social change.

Priestly deliberately set his play in 1912 because the date represented an era when all was very different from the time he was writing. In 1912, fixed class and gender boundaries seemed to ensure that nothing would change. Yet by 1945, most of those class and gender divisons had been changed. Priestly wanted to make most of these changes.

The birling family are spending a happy evening celebrating the engagement of Shelia Birling to Gerald Corft - a marriage that will result in the merging of 2 successful businesses. Yet, just when everything seems to be going well, they receive a surprise vist from an Inspector Goole who is investigating the suicide of a young girl.

Act 1; Biriling family are holding a dinner party to celebrate  the engagement of Shelia to Gerald. Although there are a few signs that not everything is perfect (Mr Birling is bit anxious to impress Gerald, Eric seems rather nervous and Shelia playfully reproach 

Mr Birling; at the start, described as 'heavy-looking, rather portentous man in his middle fifties but rather provincial in his speech'. Worked his way up in the world and is proud of his achievements. Boosts about having been Mayer. Claims the party 'is one of the happiest nights of his life' this is not only because Shelia will be happy, but because a merger with Crofts will be good for his business. Confident that there will not be war in the future, the audience knows there will be war (dramatic irony). Extremely selfish wants to protect himself and his family, and no one else. Believes community is 'nonsense' and that 'a man has to make his own way'. At the end of the play, he hasn't learnt his lesson of the play (unable to admit his responsibility for Eva's death).

Mrs Birling; at the start, described as 'about fifty, a rather cold woman'. Snob, very aware of the differences between social classes. She sees Shelia and Eric still as 'children' and speaks patronisingly (humiliatingly) to them. Tries to deny things that she doesn't want to believe, e.g, Erics drinking, Geralds affair with Eva, and the fact that a working class girl refused money even if it was stolen. Admits she was 'prejudiced' against the girl, saw it was her 'duty' to refuse to help her. At the end of the play, she hasn't learnt her lesson of the play (unable to admit her responsibility for Eva's death)

Shelia; at the start, described as 'a pretty girl in her early twenties. very pleased with life and rather excited'. Has suspicions about Gerald, 'last summer, when you never came near me'. Probably never in her life considered the conditions of the workers, she shows her compassion immediately she hears of her father's treatment of Eva, 'but these girls aren't cheap labour - they're people', She begins to change. Horrified by her own part in Eva's death, feels guilty for her jealous actions and blames herself as 'really responsible'. At end of play, Shelia is much wiser, she becomes aware of her responsibilities. Shelia changes.

Eric; at the start, described as 'in his early twenties, not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive'. Becomes clear he is a hardened drinker, Gerald says 'i have gathered that he does drink pretty hard'. When he hears how his father sacked Eva, he supports the worker's cause, like Shelia, 'why shouldn't they try for higher wages?'. Feels guilt and frustration with himself over his relationship with the girl, he cries 'Oh-my-god! - how stupid it all is!'. as he tells his part, he is horrified that his thoughtless actions had such consequences. At the end of play, like Shelia, fully aware of his social responsibility, not interested in his parents'' effects to cover everything up, as far as he is concerned, the important thing is that a girl is dead, 'we all did her in all right'.

Gerald Croft; described as 'an attractive chap about thirty, rather too manly to be dandy but very much the easy well-bred man-about-town'. Not as willing as Sheila to admit his part in the girl's death to the Inspector and initially pretends that he never knew her. Had some genuine feelings for Daisy Renton, he is very moved when he hears of her death. Tries to come up with as much evidence as possible to prove that the Inspector is a fake- because that would get him off the hook, Gerald confirms that the local force has no officer by the name of Goole, Seems to throw his energies into 'protecting' himself rather than 'changing' himself (unlike Shelia). At the end of play, doesn't change, has not gained a new sense of social responsibility.

Inspector Goole; at his entrance, described as 'He is a man in his fifties, dressed in a plain darkish suit. He speaks carefully, weightily, and has a disconcerting habit of looking hard at the person he is addresses before actually speaking'. Works very systematically, he likes to deal with 'one person and one line of enquiry at a time'. Seems to know and understand an extraordinary amount, he knows things are going to happen. Final speech, he leaves the family with the message, 'we are responsible for each other' and warns them of the 'fire and blood and anguish' that will result if they do not pay attention to what he has taught them. All this mystery suggest the Inspector is not a 'real' person.

Eva Smith (Daisy Renton); The Inspector, Shelia, Gerald, and Eric all say that she was 'pretty'. Gerald describes her as 'very pretty- soft brown hair and big dark eyes'. Her parents were dead. Came from outside Brumley, Mr Birling speaks of her being 'country-bred'. She was working class. Inspector says she kept sort of a diary, which helped him piece together the last 2 years of her life. In Act 3, we begin to wonder if Eva ever really existed, Gerald says, 'we's no real proof it was the same photograph and therefore no proof it was the same girl', Birling adds, 'there wasn't the slightest proof that this Daisy Renton really was Eva Smith', Yet the final phone call, announcing that a police Inspector is shortly to arrive at the Birling's house to investigate the suicide of a young girl, makes us realise that maybe Eva Smith did exist after all. Eva Smith could represent every woman of her class.