An Inspector Calls - Summary

Act 1: Introduction

• Setting: Dining room of the Burlings' household.
• Event: Celebration of Sheila and Gerald's engagement.
• Mr. Burling's Speech:
  • Claims "war is fiddlesticks" and the Titanic is "unsinkable."
  • Use of dramatic irony.

Arrival of the Inspector

• Inspector's News: A girl has died from drinking disinfectant.
• Photograph Investigation:
  • Mr. Burling: Doesn't recognize the photo initially but realizes he sacked the girl for asking for higher wages.
  • Sheila: Recognizes she got the girl sacked from Millwoods for a trivial reason.

Gerald's Involvement

• Realization: Gerald understands the inspector's power.
• Investigation:
  • Shown the photo; identifies her as Daisy Brenton, previously Eva Smith.
  • Admits to an affair with her during the summer.
• Character Shift: Initially remorseful, then reverts to capitalist views.

Mrs. Burling's Interrogation

• Revelation:
  • Refused help to Eva/Daisy, who was pregnant, at her women's organization.
  • Blames the father for responsibility, unaware it is her son, Eric.

Eric's Interrogation

• Confession:
  • Eric got Eva pregnant and stole money from Mr. Burling to support her.
• Mrs. Burling: Denial about Eric's drunkenness.

Inspector's Final Speech

• Theme of Collective Responsibility:
  • "We are members of one body."

Conclusion

• Gerald's Investigation: Discovers the inspector was not real.
• Burlings' Reaction:
  • Mr. Burling, Mrs. Burling, and Gerald: Relieved there's no public scandal.
  • Eric and Sheila: Remain distraught, understanding the moral implications.
• Cyclical Structure: Ends with a call announcing an inspector's impending visit.

Discussion Point

• Responsibility Query: Who is most responsible for the events?