AN INSPECTOR CALLS ACT 1 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
When and where does the play take place? - ANSWER The play takes place in
1912, in Brumley, England right before WW1.
Question From the stage directions at the beginning of the play, how can we tell
the Birlings are wealthy? - ANSWER The first paragraph sets the scene in a
fairly prosperous home. It describes the furniture as good and expensive
furniture, including leather chairs; they don't necessarily show good taste but are
expensive.
Quote how the lighting was described at first, then when the inspector arrives. -
ANSWER The play starts off with the setting being dark outside, and then it
changes to the arrival of the inspector when the fire is going and some light
comes into the room, similar to the way he brings light to the conversation,
metaphorically speaking.
Who is the 'heavy-looking, rather portentous man in his middle fifties'? -
ANSWER Mr. Birling is a heavy man in his middle fifties.
Who is 'not quite at ease, half-shy, half-assertive'? - ANSWER Eric
Who is 'very pleased with life'? - ANSWER Sheila
Who is 'very much the easy well-bred young man-about-town'? - ANSWER
Gerald Croft
Describe Mrs Birling. - ANSWER About 50, cold woman and her husband's
social superior.
What are they celebrating? - ANSWER The engagement between Gerald and
Sheila
Name the maid. - ANSWER Edna
What type of businessman does Mr Birling think he is? - ANSWER A hard
headed businessman who takes risks and knows what to do.
AND ANSWERS
When and where does the play take place? - ANSWER The play takes place in
1912, in Brumley, England right before WW1.
Question From the stage directions at the beginning of the play, how can we tell
the Birlings are wealthy? - ANSWER The first paragraph sets the scene in a
fairly prosperous home. It describes the furniture as good and expensive
furniture, including leather chairs; they don't necessarily show good taste but are
expensive.
Quote how the lighting was described at first, then when the inspector arrives. -
ANSWER The play starts off with the setting being dark outside, and then it
changes to the arrival of the inspector when the fire is going and some light
comes into the room, similar to the way he brings light to the conversation,
metaphorically speaking.
Who is the 'heavy-looking, rather portentous man in his middle fifties'? -
ANSWER Mr. Birling is a heavy man in his middle fifties.
Who is 'not quite at ease, half-shy, half-assertive'? - ANSWER Eric
Who is 'very pleased with life'? - ANSWER Sheila
Who is 'very much the easy well-bred young man-about-town'? - ANSWER
Gerald Croft
Describe Mrs Birling. - ANSWER About 50, cold woman and her husband's
social superior.
What are they celebrating? - ANSWER The engagement between Gerald and
Sheila
Name the maid. - ANSWER Edna
What type of businessman does Mr Birling think he is? - ANSWER A hard
headed businessman who takes risks and knows what to do.
