An Inspector Calls

by J. B. Priestley

Start Free Trial

An Inspector Calls Questions and Answers

An Inspector Calls Study Tools

Ask a question Start an essay

An Inspector Calls

Mr. Birling's quote "I'm a hard headed, practical man of business" in An Inspector Calls underscores his character as a pragmatic, unsentimental businessman who is confident in his judgments and...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

In "An Inspector Calls," the inspector's final speeches employ persuasive devices such as repetition, rhetorical questions, and moral appeals. Key points include the interconnectedness of society,...

2 educator answers

An Inspector Calls

In An Inspector Calls, both Eric Birling and Gerald Croft bear responsibility for Eva Smith's death. Eric's irresponsibility and theft led to her financial and emotional distress, while Gerald's...

2 educator answers

An Inspector Calls

Eva Smith's death in "An Inspector Calls" is caused by the selfish actions of others. She is dismissed from her jobs, exploited by Gerald Croft, becomes pregnant by Eric Birling, and is denied help...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

Eric Birling forces himself on Eva Smith while drunk, then meets her again, and they continue a brief relationship. He learns she is pregnant and offers her stolen money, which she eventually...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

J. B. Priestley's play "An Inspector Calls" delves into themes of social responsibility and socialism by examining the interconnectedness of society and the impact of individual actions on others....

5 educator answers

An Inspector Calls

In An Inspector Calls, reputation is crucial to each character. Arthur Birling prioritizes profits and social standing, firing Eva to protect his business reputation. Sybil Birling refuses Eva help...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

In An Inspector Calls, the ending is important because it leaves more questions than answers. The characters of the play learn the earlier events of the day are fake, and they quickly forget their...

2 educator answers

An Inspector Calls

The AI-generated answer is generally correct but requires more specific development and support. Indeed, Sheila Birling’s statement shows her encouraging her mother Sible to drink some post-dinner...

1 educator answer AI Fact-Check

An Inspector Calls

Priestley conveys that individuals must consider the impact of their actions on others and treat fellow human beings with respect. The characters' reflections on their social roles highlight the...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

Arthur Birling is depicted as a prosperous businessman who is self-assured and somewhat arrogant. The Birling family, in general, is shown as wealthy and complacent, embodying upper-class privilege...

4 educator answers

An Inspector Calls

Priestley creates tension and presents guilt in An Inspector Calls through dramatic irony, cliffhangers, and the Inspector's probing questions. The play's structure, with its gradual revelation of...

2 educator answers

An Inspector Calls

The portrayal of power and authority in "An Inspector Calls" is central to its themes, exploring how characters wield and respond to power. Mr. Birling represents traditional authority, confident in...

2 educator answers

An Inspector Calls

The atmosphere of mystery and suspense in An Inspector Calls is created and maintained through various devices. The Birlings' incorrect assessments of events, the mysterious arrival of Inspector...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

The title An Inspector Calls signifies the pivotal moment when Inspector Goole arrives, forever altering the lives of the characters. Initially, the Birlings are celebrating and discussing their...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

In An Inspector Calls, Priestley explores the importance of social class by emphasizing the precarious social position of the Birlings, who have recently become rich and are attempting to buy their...

3 educator answers

An Inspector Calls

In Act 3 of An Inspector Calls, Mr. Birling's call to Colonel Roberts reveals that Inspector Goole is not a real officer. Gerald Croft's call to the infirmary confirms no recent suicides by...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

The Inspector's reference to "fire and blood and anguish" in An Inspector Calls signifies the catastrophic consequences of ignoring social responsibility. He warns that failing to care for others, as...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

J.B. Priestley elicits sympathy for Eva Smith by contrasting her plight with the selfishness and arrogance of the Berling family and Gerald Croft. Mr. Berling's indifference to workers' rights and...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

Key quotes that show Sheila's character development in "An Inspector Calls" include her initial reaction to Eva Smith's death, "Oh, how horrible! Was it an accident?", her recognition of Eva's...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

Gerald Croft's character evolves from a confident, entitled young man to someone who faces his moral failings. Initially, he treats social inferiors dismissively and tries to cover up his affair with...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

Mr. Birling's attitude towards the Inspector is initially dismissive and arrogant. He tries to assert his social status and influence, believing it will intimidate the Inspector. Birling is...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

Gerald Croft is portrayed as a charming and affluent young man who is engaged to Sheila Birling. Throughout "An Inspector Calls," he reveals a complex character, showing both genuine affection and...

4 educator answers

An Inspector Calls

In An Inspector Calls, Priestley transforms the mood from relaxed to tense by utilizing stage directions and dialogue. Initially, the mood is celebratory, but the arrival of the inspector shifts the...

4 educator answers

An Inspector Calls

Mr. Birling reacts defensively when reminded of Eva Smith's employment. Initially, he downplays his connection until Inspector Goole prompts him with a photo. He acknowledges firing Eva for seeking a...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

Evidence suggesting Eva might be more than one person includes Gerald's skepticism about the identity of the girl, noting that the Inspector never showed the same photograph to more than one person...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

The final phone call in "An Inspector Calls" reinforces the inspector's message and emphasizes the need for accountability among the characters. Although Eric and Sheila have learned their lessons,...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

Eric's guilt in Eva's suicide is suggested through various quotes. Initially, the Inspector's speech on moral responsibility implicates Eric. Gerald notes Eric's heavy drinking, hinting at his...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

In "An Inspector Calls," although the script lacks specific stage directions for lighting, it's implied that the lighting becomes dimmer with the Inspector's arrival. This change symbolizes the shift...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

The inspector's intention in visiting the Birlings was to investigate the suicide of Eva Smith and to make each family member admit their role in her demise. Although he was not a real policeman, he...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

Sheila's initial reaction to Eva Smith's sacking and suicide is "rather distressed," showing some sympathy. She questions her father's decision to sack Eva for asking for a pay rise, calling it "a...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

Eric is crucial in representing the younger generation's struggle with the older generation's values in "An Inspector Calls." Initially self-indulgent and pressured by his father's expectations, Eric...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

The opening scene of "An Inspector Calls" presents the Birlings as the "perfect" family by showing them gathered for a celebratory dinner in honor of Sheila's engagement to Gerald Croft. They engage...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

The initial stage directions in "An Inspector Calls" highlight the Birlings' affluent lifestyle through detailed descriptions of their home and possessions. The dining room features "good solid...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

Priestley makes Inspector Goole's entrance and role in "An Inspector Calls" ominous and dramatically effective through his timing, authoritative presence, and cryptic dialogue. The Inspector arrives...

2 educator answers

An Inspector Calls

Gerald Croft is presented as a charming and confident upper-class man in J. B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls. He is engaged to Sheila Birling and initially appears as a likeable character. However,...

2 educator answers

An Inspector Calls

The opening stage directions in An Inspector Calls reveal key character relationships and set the tone for the play. They describe the Birlings' home as luxurious yet not cozy, suggesting a facade...

3 educator answers

An Inspector Calls

Inspector Goole functions as a moral force, probing the characters' consciences in "An Inspector Calls." His personality is authoritative and enigmatic, often unsettling the other characters....

2 educator answers

An Inspector Calls

The opening exchanges in "An Inspector Calls" set a tone of warmth and celebration, suggesting a traditional British comedy. Characters like Sheila and Arthur Birling create a playful and happy...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

At the play's conclusion, Gerald perceives his relationship with Sheila as unchanged, believing everything can return to normal after learning Eva Smith did not die. However, Sheila is deeply...

2 educator answers

An Inspector Calls

The most shocking secret in "An Inspector Calls" is Eric Birling's involvement with Eva Smith, resulting in her pregnancy and his theft from his father's business to support her. This revelation is...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

J.B. Priestley creates a dramatic ending in An Inspector Calls by revealing that the interrogation might not have happened, as Inspector Goole is not a real detective and no suicide has been...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

Mr. Birling's outlook on life, revealed in his speech, is overly optimistic and capitalist. He dismisses the possibility of war and praises technological progress, notably declaring the Titanic...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

Priestley criticizes selfishness in Gerald, Sheila, and Eric by highlighting their self-centered actions. Gerald shows selfishness by dismissing the moral implications of his affair with Daisy...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

Inspector Goole is perceived as unreal because he symbolizes the collective conscience and responsibility of society. His supernatural demeanor, detailed knowledge, and unaffected manner suggest he...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

In An Inspector Calls, Mr. Birling is characterized as a wealthy, self-assured businessman with capitalist views, focused on individual success and dismissive of social responsibility. Eric Birling,...

3 educator answers

An Inspector Calls

The Inspector's message in "An Inspector Calls" emphasizes collective responsibility, urging characters to acknowledge their impact on others, echoing John Donne's idea that "no man is an island."...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

The Inspector in "An Inspector Calls" teaches Gerald Croft and the Birlings about social responsibility by revealing how their actions contributed to Eva Smith's tragic death. Through his...

2 educator answers

An Inspector Calls

A significant moment in Act I of An Inspector Calls is Inspector Goole's arrival during the Birlings' engagement celebration to investigate Eva Smith's suicide. This interrupts their complacency,...

1 educator answer

An Inspector Calls

Mr. Birling is impressed with Gerald because he sees him as a means to elevate his family's social status. Although Birling is wealthy, he seeks the respectability associated with the aristocracy due...

1 educator answer