1. Essay Planner
How does Priestly hint at tensions within
the group that become more clear in Act 1?

2. How does Priestly hint at tensions
within the group that later become
more clear in Act 1?
 The level of tension in the play
starts extremely low, builds
gradually as the Inspector
enters, and builds more as the
characters come to understand
the fate of Eva and their roles.
 The inspector control pace and
tension by dealing with one
line of enquiry at a time

3. How does Priestly hint at tensions
within the group that later become
more clear in Act 1?
 Mr Birling’s confidence is
soon replaced; first by self-
justification as he tries to
explain his part in Eva’s
death – then by anxiety
 “Look – there’s nothing
mysterious – or scandalous
– about this business”
 “That’s enough of that”

4. How does Priestly hint at tensions
within the group that later become
more clear in Act 1?
 Sheila’s slightly acidic
comment about Gerald’s
supposed absence last
summer plants the idea that
there must be a better reason
for the absence and her
comment illustrates the cracks
which are present from the
very beginning in the
relationship between Sheila
and Gerald.

5. How does Priestly hint at tensions
within the group that later become
more clear in Act 1?
 Eric’s unmotivated
laugh in the middle of
the conversation helps
us to understand, later
in the play, that he
probably is “squiffy” as
Sheila suggests,
though it is not until
much later that his
alcohol problem will

6. How does Priestly hint at tensions
within the group that later become
more clear in Act 1?
 Priestley carefully structures the
play so that the careful listener
or reader will hear these
ambiguous possibilities of
trouble.