Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/4-1-2-structure-and-chronology [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa.md) › [English Lit: AQA GCSE An Inspector Calls](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls.md) › Structure & Chronology # Structure & Chronology English Lit: AQA GCSE An Inspector Calls, topic 4.1.2 ## Structure - Tension and Drama The structure of the play lets Priestley show the characters and audience events in ways that build tension and drama throughout the story. ### Role of the narrator ![Role of the narrator](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/936da390-bcda-41dc-9d77-a601b44e839d/shutterstock_216638152.jpg) - Priestley uses Inspector Goole as a narrator who controls the release of information to the audience and characters in the play, and the order that the audience hear key details. - Inspector Goole knows everything before the characters even tell him. This creates tension as the audience wonders how Inspector Goole knew that a girl had died. - The audience also wonders how the family was involved before the death had actually happened. ### True natures revealed ![True natures revealed](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2025-11/1281af60-3979-4f27-a8a4-96796d1e51d3/a19f1c8e-e0bc-4d4b-8910-93fd37793267.png) - As the characters learn details of the story and stop the flow by interrupting and arguing, we see their true natures. More tension is built up for the audience. ### Characters' reactions ![Characters' reactions](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/6091afc5-762d-4c01-95ea-2f952cd32340/shutterstock_407013514.jpg) - By presenting a group of characters who only know their own role in Eva Smith’s story (once they realise who she was), Priestley could create more drama and tension. - We see the characters’ reactions to one another’s stories, and their reactions to the very idea of someone from a lower social class interrogating them. ## Structure of _An Inspector Calls_ The play is structured in 3 acts: ### Act 1 ![Act 1](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2025-11/522cd4c3-fbc3-464d-880b-86d53e28f942/0463e0aa-6528-4607-9ebc-088a71f93049.png) - We meet the Birlings in their rose-tinted world. - The Inspector enters and shatters the illusion (misleading image) because we learn about Mr Birling and Sheila’s involvement in Eva’s death. - As the act ends, we learn that Gerald knew Eva as well. We see a huge argument between the newly-engaged couple. ### Act 2 ![Act 2](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/7937c0a9-98b4-476b-af3f-54bafc970c07/shutterstock_80317417.jpg) - The act opens with Gerald being uncertain and upset. - But Priestley leaves Gerald and moves to Mrs Birling, who argues with him and tries to stop the investigation. - Goole moves back to Gerald, who reveals his part in the story. - Then, we move to Mrs Birling’s role. She ends up telling Goole to punish whoever got Eva pregnant. - Just as Mrs Birling figures out it was her own son, the act ends. ### Act 3 ![Act 3](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/48cefa45-a328-4a7f-8519-0a6d68cc63d5/shutterstock_508109173.jpg) - Eric enters and reveals his part in the story. - Mrs Birling tries to withdraw her statements from before. - The Inspector tells them that they all killed Eva Smith and tells them to be less selfish. Then he leaves. - The family find that the story is false. The audience see the true impact of Inspector Goole – three of the main characters have learnt nothing. - Just as they are showing their joy at this, a real Inspector calls and says he needs to interview them all. ## Test yourself on Structure & Chronology - Which of these create tension and drama in _An Inspector Calls_? - What stops the flow of the story? - Summary of An Inspector Calls - Summary of Act 1 - Summary of Act 2 [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/1bcb11c0-2c27-11e8-b18d-d1082cf88b6d/section/8e5d63e0-2dd1-11e8-be10-bfb69a5b26ca/session) - Previous topic: [4.1.1 Setting, Lighting & Dramatic Irony](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/4-1-1-setting-lighting-and-dramatic-irony.md) - Next topic: [4.1.3 Structure & Chronology 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/4-1-3-structure-and-chronology-2.md) ## English Lit: AQA GCSE An Inspector Calls contents ### 1 Plot Summary - 1.1 Act 1 - [1.1.1 Act 1 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-1-1-act-1-summary.md) - [1.1.2 Act 1 Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-1-2-act-1-key-quotes.md) - 1.2 Act 2 - [1.2.1 Act 2 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-2-1-act-2-summary.md) - [1.2.2 Act 2 Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-2-2-act-2-key-quotes.md) - 1.3 Act 3 - [1.3.1 Act 3 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-3-1-act-3-summary.md) - [1.3.2 Act 3 Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-3-2-act-3-key-quotes.md) - [1.3.3 Act 3 More Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-3-3-act-3-more-key-quotes.md) - [1.3.4 End of Topic Test - Acts 1, 2 & 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-3-4-end-of-topic-test-acts-1-2-and-3.md) ### 2 Context & Key Themes - 2.1 Context & Key Themes - [2.1.1 Social Class & Equality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-1-social-class-and-equality.md) - [2.1.2 Class Tension](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-2-class-tension.md) - [2.1.3 Abuse of Power & Corruption](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-3-abuse-of-power-and-corruption.md) - [2.1.4 Socialism vs Capitalism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-4-socialism-vs-capitalism.md) - [2.1.5 Blame & Responsibility](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-5-blame-and-responsibility.md) - [2.1.6 Attitudes to Women](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-6-attitudes-to-women.md) - [2.1.7 Characterisation of Women](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-7-characterisation-of-women.md) - [2.1.8 Dramatic Function of Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-8-dramatic-function-of-characters.md) - [2.1.9 End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-9-end-of-topic-test-context-and-key-themes.md) - [2.1.10 End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-10-end-of-topic-test-context-and-key-themes-2.md) - [2.1.11 Grade 9 - Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-11-grade-9-key-themes.md) - [2.1.12 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Socialism vs Communism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-12-diagnostic-misconceptions-socialism-vs-communism.md) - [2.1.13 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Edna](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-13-diagnostic-misconceptions-edna.md) - [2.1.14 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Women in the Play](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-14-diagnostic-misconceptions-women-in-the-play.md) - [2.1.15 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Eva Smith](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-15-diagnostic-misconceptions-eva-smith.md) ### 3 Key Characters - 3.1 Mr Birling - [3.1.1 Mr Birling Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-1-1-mr-birling-analysis.md) - [3.1.2 Mr Birling Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-1-2-mr-birling-quotes.md) - [3.1.3 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Arrogance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-1-3-diagnostic-misconceptions-arrogance.md) - [3.1.4 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Illegality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-1-4-diagnostic-misconceptions-illegality.md) - 3.2 Mrs Birling - [3.2.1 Mrs Birling Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-2-1-mrs-birling-analysis.md) - [3.2.2 Mrs Birling Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-2-2-mrs-birling-quotes.md) - [3.2.3 Exam-Style Questions - Mrs Birling](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-2-3-exam-style-questions-mrs-birling.md) - 3.3 Sheila - [3.3.1 Sheila Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-3-1-sheila-analysis.md) - [3.3.2 Sheila Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-3-2-sheila-quotes.md) - [3.3.3 End of Topic Test - The Birlings & Sheila](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-3-3-end-of-topic-test-the-birlings-and-sheila.md) - 3.4 Eric - [3.4.1 Eric Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-4-1-eric-analysis.md) - [3.4.2 Eric Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-4-2-eric-quotes.md) - 3.5 Gerald - [3.5.1 Gerald Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-5-1-gerald-analysis.md) - [3.5.2 Gerald Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-5-2-gerald-quotes.md) - [3.5.3 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Gerald's Morals](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-5-3-diagnostic-misconceptions-geralds-morals.md) - 3.6 Inspector Goole - [3.6.1 Inspector Goole Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-6-1-inspector-goole-analysis.md) - [3.6.2 Inspector Goole Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-6-2-inspector-goole-quotes.md) - [3.6.3 End of Topic Test - Eric, Gerald & Inspector Goole](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-6-3-end-of-topic-test-eric-gerald-and-inspector-goole.md) - [3.6.4 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ghost](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-6-4-diagnostic-misconceptions-ghost.md) - 3.7 Grade 9 - Key Characters - [3.7.1 Grade 9 - Key Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-7-1-grade-9-key-characters.md) ### 4 Authorial Method - 4.1 Arrangement & Structure of the Play - [4.1.1 Setting, Lighting & Dramatic Irony](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/4-1-1-setting-lighting-and-dramatic-irony.md) - [4.1.2 Structure & Chronology](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/4-1-2-structure-and-chronology.md) - [4.1.3 Structure & Chronology 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/4-1-3-structure-and-chronology-2.md) - [4.1.4 End of Topic Test - Authorial Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/4-1-4-end-of-topic-test-authorial-method.md) - [4.1.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Flashbacks](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/4-1-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-flashbacks.md) ### 5 Recap: Main Quotes - 5.1 Mr Birling Quotes - [5.1.1 Mr Birling Quotes Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-1-1-mr-birling-quotes-act-1.md) - [5.1.2 Mr Birling Quotes Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-1-2-mr-birling-quotes-act-2.md) - [5.1.3 Mr Birling Quotes Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-1-3-mr-birling-quotes-act-3.md) - 5.2 Mrs Birling Quotes - [5.2.1 Mrs Birling Quotes Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-2-1-mrs-birling-quotes-act-1.md) - [5.2.2 Mrs Birling Quotes Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-2-2-mrs-birling-quotes-act-2.md) - [5.2.3 Mrs Birling Quotes Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-2-3-mrs-birling-quotes-act-3.md) - 5.3 Sheila Quotes - [5.3.1 Sheila Quotes Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-3-1-sheila-quotes-act-1.md) - [5.3.2 Sheila Quotes Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-3-2-sheila-quotes-act-2.md) - [5.3.3 Sheila Quotes Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-3-3-sheila-quotes-act-3.md) - 5.4 Eric Quotes - [5.4.1 Eric Quotes Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-4-1-eric-quotes-act-1.md) - [5.4.2 Eric Quotes Act 1 (2nd Quote)](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-4-2-eric-quotes-act-1-2nd-quote.md) - [5.4.3 Eric Quotes Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-4-3-eric-quotes-act-3.md) - 5.5 Gerald Quotes - [5.5.1 Gerald Quotes Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-5-1-gerald-quotes-act-1.md) - [5.5.2 Gerald Quotes Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-5-2-gerald-quotes-act-2.md) - [5.5.3 Gerald Quotes Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-5-3-gerald-quotes-act-3.md) - 5.6 Inspector Goole Quotes - [5.6.1 Inspector Goole Quotes Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-6-1-inspector-goole-quotes-act-1.md) - [5.6.2 Inspector Goole Quotes Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-6-2-inspector-goole-quotes-act-2.md) - [5.6.3 Inspector Goole Quotes Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-6-3-inspector-goole-quotes-act-3.md)