An Inspector Calls

An inspector calls

Juana Camino, Violeta Giribone & Juana Sampietro

Director Stephen Daldry

Author J.B Preitley

First Performed 2015

Original Language English

Summary

An Inspector Calls its about a young women called, Eva Smith, that committed suicide. The Birlings were celebrating their daughter's engagement to Gerald when they were interrupted by the mysterious Inspector Goole. The Inspector tells them that a girl called Eva Smith, has taken her own life by drinking disinfectant. The family were horrified but also confused on why the Inspector had called to see them. Then he started interrogating the family until they all realised they had a shameful secret which linked them with her death.

main characters

Sheila Birling: daughter of birling family. Engaged to gerald croft.

Sybil Birling: mother and wife of Arthur

Eva Smith: A young women who committees suicide.

Arthur Birling: father and owner of Berling company.

Eric Birling: Son and youngest of the two Birling children. A very shy and irresponsible man

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Gerald Croft: Engaged to Sheila Birling. His father owns Crofts Limited, a rival company to Birling’s.

Sources

Inspector Goole: A man who questions each member of the Birling family in relation to Eva Smith’s death.

Edna: Maid of the Birling household.

quotes

Mr Birling: "I speak as a hard headed business man" (Act 1) - Shows how pride he is because of his hard earned success. Mr. Birling: "Unsinkable, completely unsinkable" (Act 1) - Dramatic Irony because the titanic accutally sunked Sheila: "We really must stop these silly pretences" (Act 2) -Sheila can understand the Inspectors message. Sheila: ''Oh Gerald is it the one you wanted me to have?'' (Act 1) - This quote shows how Gerald has more power in the relationship. The Inspector: "We are members of one body. We are responsoble for each other" - This is the important message of the inspector that is social responsibility. Gerald: ''Everythings is alright now Sheila'' (Act 3) - When he found out that no girl had committed suicide he makes as nothing realy happened.

Themes

Social Responsibility The Inspector wants the Birlings to realize that we are all linked and that what affects one of us affects all of us. Mr. Birling claims that people have no obligations to someone outside of their immediate family. Exploitation and social class The upper classes present themselves as superior to the lower classes. Gerald and Eric take advantage of Eva's Smith when it needs them, which is direct manipulation. Hypocrisy Gerald transfers the young woman into an apartment to protect her, and he defends his acts, but she becomes his lover. Gerald is well aware that he was having sex with Eva.

CAST

CAST

David Thewlis (inspector goole) Sophie Rundle (Eva Smith) FInn Cole (Eric Birling) Ken Stott (Arthur Birling) Miranda Richardson (Mrs. Sybil Birling) Chloe Pirrie (Sheila Birling) Kyle Soller (Gerald Croft) Lucy Chappel (Edna) Flora NIcholson (Miss Francis) Gary Davis (Alderman Meggarty) Wanda Opalinska (Charity Lady)

SYMBOLS

PHOTOGRAPH

The photograph carried by inspector goole represents his power, revelation and judgement. Whenever any of the characters look at the photograph they remember the girl and what they have done to her, some feel sorry for her and others don’t even take responsibility for their actions. Inspector goole has the ability to notice if someone is lying or not.

EVA SMITH

Eva Smith represents the lower class in general. At one point the Birlings and Gerald wonder if Eva Smith is actually multiple individuals.

WEDDING RING

The wedding ring that Gerald gives to Sheila, is a visual symbol of their engagement. Sheila sees the ring as a symbol of trust and love until she realises Geral had an affair with another women

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