Act 3 Summary

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Summary of Act 3

Here's a summary of what happens in Act 3:

Eric's confession

The Birlings argue about Eric's drinking habits until Inspector Goole interrupts.
Eric says he met Eva when drunk at the Palace Bar. After they met, he ‘insisted’ on going back to her lodgings (where she lives) and effectively forced himself on her.
They slept together many times before Eva revealed she was pregnant.
Eva said she did not want to marry Eric but accepted some money from him. Eric stole £50 from Mr Birling’s office for Eva. Mr Birling is furious.
When Eva found out that Eric had stolen the money, she refused to accept any more and refused to see him.

Inspector Goole's messages

Eric is furious at his mother for not helping his baby.
Inspector Goole turns to each Birling in turn and summarises the role they played in Eva Smith’s death.
Before he leaves the stage, Inspector Goole gives a very important speech about the significance of individual lives. He tells the family they cannot undo what they did to Eva Smith. But he begs them to think about the way their actions and ideas impact other people in the future.

Revelation

Once the Inspector has left, the family fight over responsibility.
- Mr Birling blames Eric. Sheila criticises her parents. The family start to think that Inspector Goole was not a real inspector.
Gerald re-enters and confirms that Goole was not a real inspector.
When the family recap the story to Gerald, he points out that Inspector Goole could have conned them by showing each person separate photographs.

Reactions and cliffhanger ending

When the family learn that there hasn't been a suicide case in months, Gerald and Mr and Mrs Birling are delighted.
Eric and Sheila, on the other hand, are upset and refuse to forget their actions.
As Mr Birling comments about how the younger generation think they know everything, the phone rings. He reveals that the police are on their way around to discuss a girl who swallowed disinfectant and died whilst travelling to the Infirmary (hospital).
The curtain falls.

1Plot Summary

1.1Act 1

1.1.1Act 1 Summary

1.1.2Act 1 Key Quotes

1.2Act 2

1.2.1Act 2 Summary

1.2.2Act 2 Key Quotes

1.3Act 3

1.3.1Act 3 Summary

1.3.2Act 3 Key Quotes

1.3.3Act 3 More Key Quotes

1.3.4End of Topic Test - Acts 1, 2 & 3

2Context & Key Themes

2.1Context & Key Themes

2.1.1Social Class & Equality

2.1.2Class Tension

2.1.3Abuse of Power & Corruption

2.1.4Socialism vs Capitalism

2.1.5Blame & Responsibility

2.1.6Attitudes to Women

2.1.7Characterisation of Women

2.1.8Dramatic Function of Characters

2.1.9End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes

2.1.10End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes 2

2.1.11Grade 9 - Key Themes

3Key Characters

3.1Mr Birling

3.1.1Mr Birling Analysis

3.1.2Mr Birling Quotes

3.2Mrs Birling

3.2.1Mrs Birling Analysis

3.2.2Mrs Birling Quotes

3.2.3Exam-Style Questions - Mrs Birling

3.3Sheila

3.3.1Sheila Analysis

3.3.2Sheila Quotes

3.3.3End of Topic Test - The Birlings & Sheila

3.4Eric

3.4.1Eric Analysis

3.4.2Eric Quotes

3.5Gerald

3.5.1Gerald Analysis

3.5.2Gerald Quotes

3.6Inspector Goole

3.6.1Inspector Goole Analysis

3.6.2Inspector Goole Quotes

3.6.3End of Topic Test - Eric, Gerald & Inspector Goole

3.7Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.7.1Grade 9 - Key Characters

4Authorial Method

4.1Arrangement & Structure of the Play

4.1.1Setting, Lighting & Dramatic Irony

4.1.2Structure & Chronology

4.1.3Structure & Chronology 2

4.1.4End of Topic Test - Authorial Method

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