An Inspector Calls Characters

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The Inspector

  • Intrupts family gathering
  • Establishes that everyone had something to do with why the girl killed herself
  • Gradually takes control of the situation
  • He leaves them after making a impassioned speech about social justice

A man of "massiveness. solidity and purposefulness" "One person and one line of enquiry at a time. Otherwise there's a muddle" "It's my duty to ask questions" "He never seemed like an ordinary police inspector"

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Mr Birling

  • Hosts dinner to celebrate Sheilas engagement to Gerlad
  • He declares that a man's repsonibilty is only to himself and his family
  • Two years ago he fired Eva Smith from his factory
  • He tries to intimidate the Inspector, but also tries to protect himself and his family
  • He become increasingly concerned about any possible scandal
  • He is the one who takes the final telephone call

'heavy-looking, rather portentous man' 'a heard-headed practicle man of business' 'Yes, my dear, I know -I'm talking too much' 'I'm a public man'

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Mrs Birling

  • Praises Gerald for the timing of presenting the ring
  • Treats the inspector as an inferior
  • Disgusted to learn that Daisy Renton was Gerald's mistress
  • Persuaded the charity not to help the pregnant girl
  • Blames the girls death on the father of the child (little does she know its her son)
  • She claims she was the only one to not 'give in' to the Inspector

'A rather cold women' 'her husband social superior' 'Please don't contradict me like that' 'It's disgusting to me' 'the most prominent member of the comittee'

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Sheila Birling

  • Shows genuine emotion when the hears that the girl has died
  • Responsible for making the girl lose her job in the dress shop
  • Realises you can't lie to the inspector
  • After hearing about the affair, he breaks off the engagement to Gerald
  • Reveals the Eric drinks too much
  • Realises that the point of this was to learn to treat people better

'Oh-how horrible! Ws it an accident?' 'I wouldn't miss it for worlds' 'I had her turned out of a job' 'It's you two who are being childish - trying to not face the facts'

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Eric Birling

  • Drinks too much at family dinner
  • Met the girl in the bar of Palace Theatre and made her pregnant
  • Stole moeny from his fathers firm to give to her
  • Accuses his mother of killing his unborn child
  • Accepts guilt

'Just keep quiet, Eric, and don't get excited' 'That's something this pubic-school-and-Varsity life you've has doesn't seem to teach you' 'Besides, you're not the type - you don't get drunk-' 'your trouble is - you'ce been spoilt'

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Gerald Croft

  • Gives sheila engagement ring at family dinner
  • Agrees with Mr B about how the business should be run
  • Recued Daisy from the drunken Alderman Meggarty
  • Keeps Daisy as a mistress for 6 months
  • He finds out that a the 'inspector' isn't a part of their local team
  • Telephones the Infirmatory and learns that no girl died that day

'easy, well-bred young man-about-town' 'That was cleaver of you Gerald' 'You're just the kind of son-in-law I always wanted' 'I'm rather more - upset - by this business than I probably appear to be-'

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Eva Smith/Daisy Renton

  • Mr Birling sacked her from his factory
  • Sacked from dress shop after Sheila unjustly complained about her
  • Became Gerald's mistress
  • Became pregnant by Eric
  • Applied to the charity for help, but was turned down
  • Commited suicide by swallowing disinfectant

'a lively good-looking girl - country bred' 'good worker too' 'She's had a lot to say - far too much - she had to go' 'She was very pretty and looked as if she could take care of herslef' 'Now she had to try something else'

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