39 pages • 1 hour read
An Inspector Calls
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Summary and Study Guide
Overview
An Inspector Calls is a three-act play written by J. B. Priestley, first performed in 1947. In the play, an inspector questions a wealthy family about the death of a young woman who worked at the family’s factory. An Inspector Calls first premiered in Moscow in 1945 before showing in England. The play has been adapted for film, television, and radio, and a 1992 stage revival won a Laurence Olivier Award, a Drama Desk Award, and a Tony Award.
This guide is written using the 2000 Penguin Classics edition of Priestley’s collected plays.
Content Warning: The source material and this guide include references to death by suicide, addiction, and rape.
Plot Summary
The play opens in April 1912. The Birling family have gathered at their home to celebrate Sheila Birling’s engagement to Gerald Croft. For many years, Gerald was a business competitor of Sheila’s father, Arthur, who owns a mill and dabbles in politics. Also present are Sheila’s brother, Eric, and their mother, Sybil. Even though Eric has an alcohol addiction, the whole family has chosen to ignore it. Arthur is soon to be granted a knighthood and makes a speech about the importance of self-reliance.
The party is interrupted by the arrival of a man named Goole.
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