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Summary of Act 1: INSPECTOR CALLS - Coggle Diagram
Summary of Act 1: INSPECTOR CALLS
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
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.
DISSCUSION OF MR BIRLING + 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
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
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.
Sheila enters and Inspector Goole proceeds to interrogate her.
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.