1.1.1

Act 1 Summary

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Summary of Act 1

Setting the scene, the play opens with an over-the-top dinner at the home of the Birlings. The family are dressed for dinner and the room is highly-decorated. This immediately highlights them as an upper-middle-class family.

Sheila's engagement

Sheila's engagement

  • The audience is quickly told that the Birlings are celebrating a ‘special occasion’ – Sheila’s engagement to Gerald.
  • Mr Birling gives two speeches:
    • In the first, he announces how happy he is about the engagement. He thinks it will advance his business.
    • In the second, he discusses what a good time in the world this is. He is confident war won't happen.
Discussion: Mr Birling and Gerald

Discussion: Mr Birling and Gerald

  • Mrs Birling, Sheila and Eric leave the dining room.
  • Mr Birling and Gerald discuss the engagement. Mr Birling says he understands if Lady Croft (his mother) disapproves of the engagement because Gerald will be marrying socially beneath him.
  • Mr Birling gives a speech about how ‘a man has to make his own way – has to look after himself – and his family too’.
  • He is interrupted when the doorbell rings and Inspector Goole arrives.
Interrogation of Mr Birling

Interrogation of Mr Birling

  • Inspector Goole says that Eva Smith has died because she committed suicide by drinking disinfectant.
  • Mr Birling instantly tries to assert his superiority over Inspector Goole.
  • Mr Birling reveals Eva Smith worked at his factory and he fired her for leading a group of women asking for a pay rise.
    • Gerald is on Mr Birling's side.
    • Eric is on Eva's side.
Interrogation of Sheila

Interrogation of Sheila

  • Sheila enters and Inspector Goole proceeds to interrogate her.
  • Sheila does not instantly recognise Eva's name. But when Inspector Goole mentions Eva worked at Milward's, she remembers she had Eva fired. She wasn't in a great mood and thought Eva laughed at her.
Gerald's reaction

Gerald's reaction

  • Gerald looks 'startled' when Inspector Goole says that Eva had her name changed to Daisy Renton.
  • Inspector Goole leaves the room and Sheila quizzes Gerald on his connection to Daisy Renton.
  • He admits he knew Daisy, and Sheila works out that Gerald was romantically involved with Daisy Renton the previous summer when he had been ignoring her.
  • Gerald begs Sheila not to tell Inspector Goole.
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1

Plot Summary

1.1

Act 1

1.1.1Act 1 Summary1.1.2Act 1 Key Quotes
1.2

Act 2

1.2.1Act 2 Summary1.2.2Act 2 Key Quotes
1.3

Act 3

1.3.1Act 3 Summary1.3.2Act 3 Key Quotes1.3.3Act 3 More Key Quotes1.3.4End of Topic Test - Acts 1, 2 & 3
2

Context & Key Themes

2.1

Context & Key Themes

2.1.1Social Class & Equality2.1.2Class Tension2.1.3Abuse of Power & Corruption2.1.4Socialism vs Capitalism2.1.5Blame & Responsibility2.1.6Attitudes to Women2.1.7Characterisation of Women2.1.8Dramatic Function of Characters2.1.9End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes2.1.10End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes 22.1.11Grade 9 - Key Themes2.1.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - Socialism vs Communism2.1.13Diagnostic Misconceptions - Edna2.1.14Diagnostic Misconceptions - Women in the Play2.1.15Diagnostic Misconceptions - Eva Smith
3

Key Characters

3.1

Mr Birling

3.1.1Mr Birling Analysis3.1.2Mr Birling Quotes3.1.3Diagnostic Misconceptions - Arrogance3.1.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Illegality
3.2

Mrs Birling

3.2.1Mrs Birling Analysis3.2.2Mrs Birling Quotes3.2.3Exam-Style Questions - Mrs Birling
3.3

Sheila

3.3.1Sheila Analysis3.3.2Sheila Quotes3.3.3End of Topic Test - The Birlings & Sheila
3.4

Eric

3.4.1Eric Analysis3.4.2Eric Quotes
3.5

Gerald

3.5.1Gerald Analysis3.5.2Gerald Quotes3.5.3Diagnostic Misconceptions - Gerald's Morals
3.6

Inspector Goole

3.6.1Inspector Goole Analysis3.6.2Inspector Goole Quotes3.6.3End of Topic Test - Eric, Gerald & Inspector Goole3.6.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ghost
3.7

Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.7.1Grade 9 - Key Characters
4

Authorial Method

4.1

Arrangement & Structure of the Play

4.1.1Setting, Lighting & Dramatic Irony4.1.2Structure & Chronology4.1.3Structure & Chronology 24.1.4End of Topic Test - Authorial Method4.1.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Flashbacks
5

Recap: Main Quotes

5.1

Mr Birling Quotes

5.1.1Mr Birling Quotes Act 15.1.2Mr Birling Quotes Act 25.1.3Mr Birling Quotes Act 3
5.2

Mrs Birling Quotes

5.2.1Mrs Birling Quotes Act 15.2.2Mrs Birling Quotes Act 25.2.3Mrs Birling Quotes Act 3
5.3

Sheila Quotes

5.3.1Sheila Quotes Act 15.3.2Sheila Quotes Act 25.3.3Sheila Quotes Act 3
5.4

Eric Quotes

5.4.1Eric Quotes Act 15.4.2Eric Quotes Act 1 (2nd Quote)5.4.3Eric Quotes Act 3
5.5

Gerald Quotes

5.5.1Gerald Quotes Act 15.5.2Gerald Quotes Act 25.5.3Gerald Quotes Act 3
5.6

Inspector Goole Quotes

5.6.1Inspector Goole Quotes Act 15.6.2Inspector Goole Quotes Act 25.6.3Inspector Goole Quotes Act 3

Practice questions on Act 1 Summary

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    An Inspector Calls: Act 1Put in order
  2. 2
    An Inspector Calls: Act 1Put in order
  3. 3
    Which characters does Inspector Goole interrogate on their connection with Eva Smith in Act 1?True / false
  4. 4
    Mr Birling's SpeechesPut in order
  5. 5
    Which of these is NOT a key bit of information we learn about Daisy Renton/Eva Smith in Act 1?Multiple choice
Answer all questions on Act 1 Summary

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Act 1 Key Quotes