An Inspector Calls — J. B. Priestley

Overview and Context

An Inspector Calls (written 1945, first performed 1946) is set in 1912 — a deliberate time-gap that allows Priestley, writing after two World Wars, to comment on how the attitudes of 1912 led to disaster. The play is a moral and political fable about collective social responsibility.

Key context:

• Written in 1945: After WWII, as Britain was about to elect a Labour government and create the welfare state. Priestley was a committed socialist who supported Labour.
• Set in 1912: Just before WWI; the sinking of the Titanic (April 1912) — like the Titanic, the Birlings believe they are "unsinkable."
• The setting is symbolic: A warm, comfortable dining room — the privilege of the wealthy class, about to be disturbed.
• Dramatic irony: Mr Birling's confident predictions in 1912 — that there will be no war, that the Titanic is "unsinkable" — are known by the audience to be catastrophically wrong.

The Plot

The prosperous Birling family are celebrating the engagement of Sheila Birling and Gerald Croft. Inspector Goole arrives, investigating the death of Eva Smith (also known as Daisy Renton), a young working-class woman who has taken poison. Each family member is revealed to have contributed to Eva's destruction: Mr Birling dismissed her from his factory; Sheila had her dismissed from a shop out of jealousy; Gerald had an affair with her; Eric had a drunken affair and stole money; Mrs Birling used her charity's power to deny Eva help.

Key Themes

Social responsibility: Priestley's central message — we are all responsible for each other, regardless of class. The Inspector's final speech: "We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other."

Class and power: The Birlings use their social position to destroy Eva Smith. Each act of dismissal or denial reflects the callousness of the capitalist class system.

Generational divide: The young (Sheila, Eric) accept responsibility and change; the old (Mr Birling, Mrs Birling) care only about reputation and refuse to learn. This is deliberately hopeful — the young are redeemable.

Time and inevitability: The play ends with a second inspector calling — suggesting that if the Birlings don't learn now, they will face judgement again. History repeats. Priestley implies collective failure leads to catastrophe (WWI, WWII).

Reality and appearance: Inspector Goole may not be a real police inspector — his name suggests "ghoul" or ghost. He may be supernatural. But this doesn't matter: the revelations are real; the guilt is real.

Key Characters

Inspector Goole: A moral force, possibly symbolic rather than realistic. He speaks for Priestley's socialist message. His interrogation method is relentless — no social deference.

Mr Birling: A pompous capitalist who "looks after himself" — Priestley uses him to caricature and satirise the selfish attitudes he opposes. His predictions (no war, Titanic safe) are dramatically ironic.

Sheila Birling: Begins as a spoilt girl but develops into the play's moral compass. She accepts responsibility and is changed. Represents hope.

Mrs Birling: The most callous character — she uses her power on the Charity Committee to deny a desperate pregnant woman help. She blames the father — not knowing it is her own son.

Eric Birling: Alcoholic, stolen money, a drunken relationship with Eva. But he too accepts responsibility and is horrified by his parents' response.

Key Quotations

Eduqas Exam Structure

Component 2, Section A: Two-part question — extract analysis + thematic essay across the whole play. AO1, AO2 and AO3 weighted equally.