An Inspector Calls: Scene Summaries

Act 1:

The Family Celebration: The Birlings and Gerald Croft are celebrating Sheila Birling’s engagement to Gerald. This setting highlights the family’s wealth and social status.
Inspector’s Arrival: Inspector Goole arrives, announcing the suicide of a working-class woman named Eva Smith. Each character is implicated in her death through a series of individual interviews the Inspector conducts.
Sheila’s Confession: Sheila is the first to confess to the Inspector that she misused her family’s influence to have Eva fired from Milwards. It’s a point where Sheila starts showing guilt and remorse.

Act 2:

Gerald’s Secret: Gerald reveals his involvement with Eva, who was using the name Daisy Renton. He kept her as his mistress, thus deeper** betrayal of Sheila** than initially implied.
Mrs Birling’s Involvement: Mrs Birling denies any responsibility, and blames Eva’s downfall on the unknown man who got her pregnant, unaware that the person she’s implicating is her own son, Eric.

Act 3:

Eric’s Shocking Reveal: Eric Birling confesses that he was the father of Eva’s unborn child. Eric’s relationship with Eva was not consensual, revealing the disturbing behavior of the privileged class.
Goole Disclosed: After the Inspector departs, the family questions his legitimacy. A call to the local police reveals that there is no Inspector Goole.
The Final Twist: In a shocking twist, the family receives a phone call from the police station, informing them that a girl has died – seemingly confirming the Inspector’s claims. The play ends leaving the audience to ponder the eerie and prophetic qualities of Inspector Goole.

From the wealthy, unconcerned Birlings to the remorseful Sheila and Eric, the characters undergo substantial shifts. The phone call at the end leaving the audience in a state of suspense.