An Inspector Calls - Act One Questions

1. Arthur Birling is a heavy looking man in his fifties. His wife is fifty, a rather cold
woman. Sheila is a pretty girl in her early twenties, rather pleased and excited.
Gerald is an attractive chap in his 30’s too old and manly to be a dandy. Eric, a
half shy, half assertive man in his early twenties. This is the birling family, with
Gerald being engaged to Sheila which is the special occasion. The characters
talk in a very calm and luxurious tone, this implies that they are very pleased with
themselves and are just enjoying the night.

2. There is a very luxurious and calm tone in their speech, they talk without any
tension and have laughters here and there, concerned with nothing.

3. Arthur Birling wants to get Sheila married to Gerald so Arthur can work with his
father who owns a much bigger company, it’s all business.

4. He looks for his advantage and good in all his moves, this engagement is also
planned by him, he is only doing it for the relations with the Crofts. He only cares
about business and his wealth, a capitalist man.

5. The tone gets much more comfortable and personal once they leave, indicating
that they are much more relaxed and can have better and deeper conversations.

6. He has learnt to only look after himself and what he owns, mind his own
business.

7. The inspector is here, the bell rings in the middle of mr Birling’s capitalist and
business minded speech, showing that a threat has arrived.

8. Eric is the joke, he is being embarrassed by those two so he pretends to not be

angry about it and just goes on with sharp responses to defend his pride.

9. Lighting is pink and the mood is intimate.

10. The inspector’s looks convey that something rough is gonna happen soo, he
means business and is gonna ruin the “pink and intimate mood”.

11. His involuntary move comes from the description the inspector has given of the
death.
12. Mr Birling does not remember her from her name, but then Inspector shows him
a photo of her. He looks hard and then finally remembers and gives a nervous
look implying that he remembers her and something bad was done to her.

13. He moves restlessly as he recognizes Eva and starts to worry that he might be
accused.

14. Birling would tell the story with a very biased perspective, hiding things which
were awful and showing things which he was proud of. This is because he is a
very proud businessman who only cares about two things, his business (wealth)
and his image in front of the society. So he would not say or do anything which
could leak and ruin his whole reputation, nor say anything that would devalue his
business.

15. They should listen to it very calmly and with an expression that they do not care,
just another small hiccup in their occasion. Not a care in the world for others and
maybe just try to show some affection for the dead girl.

16. The mood is very joyous and childish as Sheila speaks, they are having a nice
dinner and occasion, talking to each other in a luxurious and happy way.

17. Firstly, when the Inspector broke the news that a girl died in a horrible manner,
she actually felt sad and somewhat sympathetic, only she did that. But, after
hearing her part, she feels guilty and actually takes responsibility, which is very
odd in the family.

18. They now realise that Mr Birling isn’t the only one involved in this, and get
nervous. Look at each other in confusion and stare hard towards the Inspector
seeking more information.