J.B. Priestley's "An Inspector Calls" uses its characters to expose... Show more
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28 Dec 2025
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Inspector Calls Character Mindmaps with Key Quotes and Explanations - Sheila & Mrs. Birling
Freya
@freyaluvsenglit
1 / 6
Eva Smith: The Voice of the Working Class
Eva Smith isn't just a character - she's the heart of Priestley's entire message about social responsibility. When Mr Birling dismisses her as someone who "had a lot to say - far too much", he's really showing us how the upper classes silenced workers who dared to demand fair treatment.
Her treatment by Mrs Birling reveals the cruel class prejudice of the era. The assumption that "a girl of that sort would ever refuse money" shows how the wealthy viewed working-class women as morally corrupt simply because of their social position.
The name 'Eva' connects to the biblical Eve, suggesting she represents all of humanity. 'Smith' is deliberately common, emphasising that she could be anyone from the working class. As Inspector Goole reminds us, "there are millions and millions of Eva and John Smiths" - her story isn't unique, it's tragically typical.
Quick Tip: Eva never appears on stage, but she's the most important character. Her absence makes her more powerful as a symbol of all exploited workers.
Mrs Birling: The Cold-Hearted Matriarch
Mrs Birling embodies everything wrong with upper-class attitudes in Edwardian society. She's the ultimate snob who genuinely believes that being wealthy makes her morally superior to everyone else.
Her traditional views about women and class are rock-solid and completely unshakeable. When she tells Sheila "you have to get used to it just as I had", she's basically saying women should just accept their lot in life. She's not your typical caring mother - there's a cold distance in everything she does.
What makes her particularly frustrating is her complete inability to see beyond her class-based prejudices. She genuinely believes that working-class people are lazy and immoral, whilst refusing to acknowledge her own family's problems.
Priestley uses her character to show how the class system perpetuated suffering. Her refusal to help Eva through the charity committee isn't just cruel - it's the system working exactly as designed to keep the poor powerless.
Remember: Mrs Birling never changes or learns anything, making her the most stubborn character in the play.
Mrs Birling: Stubborn and Unrepentant
Mrs Birling's personality can be summed up in one word: stubborn. She's so set in her ways that even when confronted with devastating evidence, she refuses to accept any responsibility for Eva's death.
Her traditional attitudes are perfectly captured when she dismisses modern ideas with "Really the things you girls pick up these days". She can't cope with the idea that society might be changing or that women might want more independence.
The phrase "girl of that class" reveals her snobbish nature - she literally cannot see working-class people as equals. When things go wrong, her first instinct is always to blame someone else, right up until she realises Eric is involved.
Even Inspector Goole's direct accusation that "you turned her away when she most needed help" bounces right off her. This shows just how deeply class prejudice was embedded in people like her - they genuinely couldn't see working-class suffering as their problem.
Key Point: Mrs Birling's refusal to change represents the older generation's resistance to social progress.
Sheila: The Perfect Daughter Who Learns to Change
Sheila starts as the "perfect daughter" - spoilt, upper-class, and living a sheltered life. But unlike her parents, she's young enough to learn from her mistakes and develop genuine empathy.
Her honesty sets her apart from the rest of her family. She admits her role in Eva's dismissal and shows real remorse, proving that social responsibility can be learned. She's emotionally intelligent enough to understand what Inspector Goole is really trying to achieve.
What makes Sheila special is her ability to change and grow. She represents hope for the younger generation - people who can break free from the rigid class system their parents maintain. By the end of the play, she's completely transformed.
Her character shows Priestley's belief that social change was possible, but only if people were willing to examine their own behaviour honestly and take responsibility for their actions.
Character Arc: Sheila's transformation from spoilt girl to socially conscious young woman is the play's most hopeful element.
Mr Birling: The Self-Made Businessman
Mr Birling represents the worst of capitalist attitudes - he's arrogant, selfish, and completely obsessed with profit over people. Everything he does is about maintaining his social status and business success.
His insecurity about not being born into wealth drives much of his behaviour. As a "self-made man", he's desperate to prove he belongs with the upper classes, which makes him even more ruthless towards workers.
His famous line "It's my duty to keep labour costs down" sums up his entire philosophy. He genuinely believes that exploiting workers is not just acceptable, but actually his responsibility as a businessman.
The most frustrating thing about Mr Birling is that he learns absolutely nothing. Even after the Inspector's visit, his attitudes remain completely unchanged, showing how deeply embedded class prejudice was in successful businessmen of the era.
Historical Context: Mr Birling's attitudes reflect real Edwardian employers who prioritised profits over workers' welfare.
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Anna
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Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
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Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Inspector Calls Character Mindmaps with Key Quotes and Explanations - Sheila & Mrs. Birling
Freya
@freyaluvsenglit
J.B. Priestley's "An Inspector Calls" uses its characters to expose the harsh realities of class division in Edwardian Britain. Each character represents different attitudes towards social responsibility, with Eva Smith symbolising the vulnerable working class who suffered under the rigid... Show more
Eva Smith: The Voice of the Working Class
Eva Smith isn't just a character - she's the heart of Priestley's entire message about social responsibility. When Mr Birling dismisses her as someone who "had a lot to say - far too much", he's really showing us how the upper classes silenced workers who dared to demand fair treatment.
Her treatment by Mrs Birling reveals the cruel class prejudice of the era. The assumption that "a girl of that sort would ever refuse money" shows how the wealthy viewed working-class women as morally corrupt simply because of their social position.
The name 'Eva' connects to the biblical Eve, suggesting she represents all of humanity. 'Smith' is deliberately common, emphasising that she could be anyone from the working class. As Inspector Goole reminds us, "there are millions and millions of Eva and John Smiths" - her story isn't unique, it's tragically typical.
Quick Tip: Eva never appears on stage, but she's the most important character. Her absence makes her more powerful as a symbol of all exploited workers.
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Mrs Birling: The Cold-Hearted Matriarch
Mrs Birling embodies everything wrong with upper-class attitudes in Edwardian society. She's the ultimate snob who genuinely believes that being wealthy makes her morally superior to everyone else.
Her traditional views about women and class are rock-solid and completely unshakeable. When she tells Sheila "you have to get used to it just as I had", she's basically saying women should just accept their lot in life. She's not your typical caring mother - there's a cold distance in everything she does.
What makes her particularly frustrating is her complete inability to see beyond her class-based prejudices. She genuinely believes that working-class people are lazy and immoral, whilst refusing to acknowledge her own family's problems.
Priestley uses her character to show how the class system perpetuated suffering. Her refusal to help Eva through the charity committee isn't just cruel - it's the system working exactly as designed to keep the poor powerless.
Remember: Mrs Birling never changes or learns anything, making her the most stubborn character in the play.
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Mrs Birling: Stubborn and Unrepentant
Mrs Birling's personality can be summed up in one word: stubborn. She's so set in her ways that even when confronted with devastating evidence, she refuses to accept any responsibility for Eva's death.
Her traditional attitudes are perfectly captured when she dismisses modern ideas with "Really the things you girls pick up these days". She can't cope with the idea that society might be changing or that women might want more independence.
The phrase "girl of that class" reveals her snobbish nature - she literally cannot see working-class people as equals. When things go wrong, her first instinct is always to blame someone else, right up until she realises Eric is involved.
Even Inspector Goole's direct accusation that "you turned her away when she most needed help" bounces right off her. This shows just how deeply class prejudice was embedded in people like her - they genuinely couldn't see working-class suffering as their problem.
Key Point: Mrs Birling's refusal to change represents the older generation's resistance to social progress.
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Improve your grades
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Sheila: The Perfect Daughter Who Learns to Change
Sheila starts as the "perfect daughter" - spoilt, upper-class, and living a sheltered life. But unlike her parents, she's young enough to learn from her mistakes and develop genuine empathy.
Her honesty sets her apart from the rest of her family. She admits her role in Eva's dismissal and shows real remorse, proving that social responsibility can be learned. She's emotionally intelligent enough to understand what Inspector Goole is really trying to achieve.
What makes Sheila special is her ability to change and grow. She represents hope for the younger generation - people who can break free from the rigid class system their parents maintain. By the end of the play, she's completely transformed.
Her character shows Priestley's belief that social change was possible, but only if people were willing to examine their own behaviour honestly and take responsibility for their actions.
Character Arc: Sheila's transformation from spoilt girl to socially conscious young woman is the play's most hopeful element.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
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Mr Birling: The Self-Made Businessman
Mr Birling represents the worst of capitalist attitudes - he's arrogant, selfish, and completely obsessed with profit over people. Everything he does is about maintaining his social status and business success.
His insecurity about not being born into wealth drives much of his behaviour. As a "self-made man", he's desperate to prove he belongs with the upper classes, which makes him even more ruthless towards workers.
His famous line "It's my duty to keep labour costs down" sums up his entire philosophy. He genuinely believes that exploiting workers is not just acceptable, but actually his responsibility as a businessman.
The most frustrating thing about Mr Birling is that he learns absolutely nothing. Even after the Inspector's visit, his attitudes remain completely unchanged, showing how deeply embedded class prejudice was in successful businessmen of the era.
Historical Context: Mr Birling's attitudes reflect real Edwardian employers who prioritised profits over workers' welfare.
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Improve your grades
Join milions of students
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We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
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Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user