Act 1: The Birlings’ Celebration is Interrupted

The play opens in 1912 at the Birling family’s dining room, in Brumley, an industrial city in England. The setting is comfortable but not cosy, reflecting their status-conscious and materialistic values.

Who’s Present?

• Arthur Birling – A wealthy businessman, self-important and ambitious.

• Sybil Birling – His socially superior wife, cold and detached.

• Sheila Birling – Their daughter, recently engaged to Gerald.

• Gerald Croft – Sheila’s fiancé, from an even wealthier, Old Money family.

• Eric Birling – Their son, awkward and unsettled.

• Edna – The maid, who plays no significant role in the play.

Why Are They Celebrating?

• Sheila and Gerald are engaged, and the evening is full of self-congratulations.

• Mr Birling gives a speech full of capitalist views, declaring:
  "A man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own."

• He dismisses the possibility of war and praises progress, also ironically stating:
  "The Titanic... unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable."

• Priestley uses dramatic irony here, as the audience (watching in 1945) knows World War I and the Titanic disaster did happen, not to mention further labour agitations that he denies, and major economic downturn which he contradicts.

The Arrival of the Inspector

• The mood shifts as Inspector Goole arrives.

• He announces that a young woman has committed suicide by drinking disinfectant.

• He methodically questions each family member, revealing their connections to Eva’s downfall.

Arthur Birling’s Role in Eva’s Suffering

• Eva worked in Birling’s factory, but he fired her for demanding higher wages, and being part of a small contingent who organised a failed strike.

• Birling defends himself, claiming:
  "It’s my duty to keep labour costs down."

• Inspector Goole challenges him, introducing the idea of social responsibility.

Sheila’s Role in Eva’s Downfall

• Sheila recognises Eva and becomes distressed.

• She forced Eva’s dismissal from Milward’s department store, simply because Eva looked better in a dress than she did.

• Sheila remorsefully admits her guilt:
  "I know I’m to blame—and I’m desperately sorry."

• She supports the Inspector’s message, unlike her parents.

Gerald is Visibly Uncomfortable

• The Inspector hints that Gerald also knew Eva.

• Gerald tries to hide his involvement, but Sheila immediately suspects him.

Curtain Falls as Suspense Builds

• Gerald reacts uneasily as the Inspector reveals Eva changed her name to Daisy Renton.

• Sheila gasps:
  "You gave yourself away as soon as he mentioned her other name."

Act 2: Gerald’s Affair and Mrs Birling’s Cruelty

Gerald’s Confession

• Under pressure, Gerald admits to an affair with Daisy Renton.

• He met her at the Palace Bar, where she was, in his view, being harassed.

• He set her up in a flat and gave her money, before making her his mistress.

• However, after a while, he ended the relationship.

• He tries to justify himself:
  "I didn’t feel about her as she felt about me."

• Sheila, heartbroken, returns his engagement ring.

Mrs Birling’s Role in Eva’s Fate

• Mrs Birling, head of a women’s charity, rejected Eva’s plea for help, believing her undeserving.

• She dismisses Eva as a liar, refusing to take responsibility.

• She even blames Eva for her own suicide: "She had only herself to blame."

• Mrs Birling also insists the father of Eva’s child should be held fully responsible—not realising it’s her own son, Eric.

The Inspector Drops a Bombshell

• The audience (and Sheila) realise Eric is the father before Mrs Birling does – another effective piece of dramatic irony.

• The tension peaks as Eric enters.

• Curtain falls dramatically.

Eric’s Guilt and the Inspector’s Warning

Eric’s Confession

• Eric met Eva at the Palace Bar while drunk, and it is implied that he sexually assaulted her.

• He began an affair with her, resulting in a pregnancy.

• He embezzled money from Mr Birling’s business to support her.

• When she discovered the stolen money, Eva refused to take any more.

Mrs Birling Realises the Truth

• Mrs Birling is shocked and ashamed; she has unknowingly condemned her own son.

• Tension erupts between Eric and his parents.

• Eric angrily confronts his mother:
  "Then—you killed her. My child—your own grandchild—you killed them both—damn you!"

Inspector Goole’s Powerful Final Speech

• Inspector Goole delivers Priestley’s socialist message about social responsibility.

• He warns that selfish actions have consequences:
  "We don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.[...] If men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish."

• The Inspector exits, leaving the family stunned.

The Birling Parents Try to Escape Blame

• Mr and Mrs Birling quickly abnegate responsibility, insisting the Inspector was a fraud.

• Gerald calls the police station, confirming a working theory of his that there is no Inspector Goole.

• A further phone call to the hospital confirms that no girl has died.

• The older generation (and Gerald) feel relieved, believing they have escaped scandal—with Gerald even offering Sheila the engagement ring again!

Sheila and Eric Still Feel Guilty

• Sheila and Eric understand the real message: whether the Inspector was real or not, they still did wrong.

• Sheila warns:
  "You’re pretending everything’s just as it was before!"

The Final Shock

• Just as the Birling parents celebrate, the phone rings again.

• The police announce that a real girl has just died, and an inspector is on his way.

• The curtain falls dramatically, leaving the audience in suspense.