39 pages • 1 hour read
J.B. PriestleyAn Inspector Calls
Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1945A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
An Inspector Calls by J. B. Priestley is a play that begins with the Birling family celebrating Sheila’s engagement to Gerald, only to be interrupted by Inspector Goole, who questions them about the suicide of a young woman named Eva Smith who once worked at Arthur's mill. As Goole’s investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that each family member's actions contributed to Eva's tragic fate.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls receives acclaim for its tight narrative and social critique, with engaging characters and a suspenseful plot. Critics appreciate its moral questions and theatricality, although some find the dialogue dated and its didactic tone a bit heavy-handed. Overall, it remains a compelling exploration of responsibility and class.
Who Should Read An Inspector Calls?
Readers who relish socially conscious plays will enjoy An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley. Fans of mysteries with moral implications, akin to Arthur Miller's The Crucible and Agatha Christie's works, will appreciate its themes of responsibility and class disparity. Ideal for those who value dramatic tension and societal critique.