An Inspector Calls J.B.

Priestleys

Analysis of the play

Act 1

One of the happiest nights of my life

When the curtain rises on the scene of the family celebration, it seems on the surface that
everything is right with the Birlings world and there is a lot to look forward to. But this scene
also suggests a subtle sense of UNEASE.

Read the statements below and select 2 which you think most fully explain this sense
of UNEASE:
A) Birling knows the Crofts have snubbed him by not showing up, but hes got his
revenge because they need each other- they can monopolise the market together.
b) Birling shows by his ignorance of social convention that he has beaten them all, his
wife included. Class is irrelevant to him.
c) Because he is a self-made man, he reckons hes shown everyone how they can do
it, he hasnt got time for weakling. Hes made progress and thats what he believes
in.
d) He`s a man with a few skeletons in his cupboard.
e) Theyre all putting on an act. They are all worried about what the other family might
think of them.
f) The atmosphere of gaiety is forced. Its not good that Geralds parents havent
come.
g) Sheilas pleased about the ring but still uneasy about last summer when Gerald
never came near her.
h) Sheila shows by her language that shes not going to be tied down by convention-
Gerald can take her or leave her as he finds her - shes a free agent.
I ) Eric is very nervous about something.