The Birling's are celebrating Sheila's
engagement to Gerald. Sheila suspects that
Gerald lost interest in her last summer.
'And I've told you- I was awfully busy at the works all that
time.'-GERALD to Sheila
Gerald feels pressure from Sheila questioning his whereabouts last summer. He lies to her
saying he was busy. He was with Daisy Renton, his Mistress, as discovered in ACT TWO.
Gerald talks to Sheila in a very belittling way, as if talking to a child.
'Yes, go on, Mummy.'- SHEILA
Sheila is very immature and is still treated like a child. For Example;
'Oh Mummy, isn't it a beauty?'-SHEILA
Arthur gives a speech to Eric and
Gerald about business. He
believes that every man should
look after himself.
'I speak as a
hard-headed business
man.'- MR BIRLING
Birling is hard-hearted and show great pride in his achievements.
'There's a fair chance that I might find my way into the next
Honours List. Just a Knighthood, of course.'-MR BIRLING
Mr Birling is arrogant and is showing off his achievements to Gerald. Birling believes that Gerald's engagement to
Sheila would be a great business proposition to join the two family businesses. Croft Limited is more wealthy that
Birling and Co.
The Inspector arrives (Edna opened the door for him). He
says a woman called Eva Smith committed suicide by
drinking disinfectant. He wants to question the family
members one by one.
'(Opening door and announcing) Inspector Goole'-EDNA
The first time we are introduced to the Inspector. The term 'Goole' is a
homophone for 'Ghoul'. This could imply that the Inspector is just a ghost of
what events could take place. This reflects Priestley's socialistic beliefs. He shows
his views through the development of Sheila.
'She swallowed a lot of strong
disinfectant. Burnt her insides out,
of course.'-INSPECTOR
The Inspector uses a very graphic description to demote empathy from
the Birling family. Eric's involuntary reaction shows how graphic and
disturbing the upper class members of society would feel to incidences
like this.
'My God!'-ERIC
This would be blasphemous and shows
Eric's raw and emotional reaction. He is
clearly disturbed by what the Inspector
has to say and he cannot help but
express his opinion.
Mr Birling fired Eva Smith from his
factory for being the face of a protest for
higher wages. Eva then worked in a
department store. Sheila got her fired
from the store last year.
'She was one of my employees
and then I discharged her.'- MR
BIRLING
Mr Birling is very dismissive. He does not care if that is the reason she
committed suicide. He is certain that it could not be a reason due to him
discharging her last year and the suicide being recently. He is furious of
the accusations from Eric when he asks if that is what could have drove
Eva to suicide. This is all ironic because everyone in the dining room is
somewhat involved in her death.
'But these girls aren't cheap labour- They're people.'-SHEILA
Although still early in the play, Sheila is showing her character development on the
views of socialism which disagree with her fathers views which are capitalistic.
At the end of the act, the
Inspector says that Eva
Smith changed her name
to Daisy Renton. Gerald is
shocked. Eric leaves.