1. An Inspector Calls
Chain of Events

2. Timeline Year and month What happens
September Eva sacked by Birling & Co.
December Eva employed by Milwards.
Late January Eva sacked by Milwards.
March Eva becomes Gerald's mistress.
Early September Gerald breaks off the affair
Eva leaves Brumley for two months.
November Eric meets Eva.
Dec 1911/Jan Eva finds she is pregnant.
Late March Mrs. Birling turns down Eva's application for help.
Early April Eva's suicide/the Inspector calls

3. Birling – September 1910
Eva Smith – a pretty, lively country girl, hard-working.
Action: Birling dismissed her from his factory.
Motive: As Eva was outspoken, he thought she was a ring-leader in a strike for a pay rise. He is more concerned with profit than people.
Consequence: Eva is out of work for two months and facing hunger.

4. Sheila Birling – November 1910
Eva finds work during the flu epidemic at Milwards Store.
Action:
Motivation:
Consequence:

5. Sheila Birling – November 1910
Eva finds work during the flu epidemic at Milwards Store.
Action: Insisted a shop assistant was dismissed.
Motive: Temper and jealousy. The assistant had looked prettier in the dress, and had smiled.
Consequence: Eva lost her job and couldn’t find another one.

6. Gerald Croft – March 1911
Eva (now calling herself Rita Fenton)has no means of support and is hungry. She goes to the Palace Bar, a favourite haunt for prostitutes and their clients.
Action:
Motive:
Consequence:

7. Gerald Croft – March 1911
Eva (now calling herself Rita Fenton) has no means of support and is hungry. She goes to the Palace Bar, a favourite haunt for prostitutes and their clients.
Action: Fed her and found her a flat. Became her lover.
Motive: Pity. Enjoyed being her ‘Fairy Prince’.
Consequence: Temporary happiness.

8. Eric Birling – November 1911
Eva had to leave the flat (September). She goes back to the Palace, although she is not the type to solicit.
Action:
Motive:
Consequence:

9. Eric Birling – November 1911
Eva had to leave the flat (September). She goes back to the Palace, although she is not the type to solicit.
Action: Took advantage of a girl weakened by hunger. Kept her on stolen money until
she found out.
Motive: Drunkenness and a childish desire to emulate the men around him.
Consequence: Pregnant, penniless and unable to get a job.

10. Mrs Birling – Spring 1912 Action: Motive: Consequence:
Eva has lost the last vestiges of respect. She is penniless and starving and seeks help from a local charity.
Action:
Motive:
Consequence:

11. Mrs Birling – Spring 1912
Eva has lost the last vestiges of respect. She is penniless and starving and seeks help from a local charity.
Action: Refused charity to a pregnant girl.
Motive: Thought the girl was ‘impertinent’ for the using the name ‘ Mrs Birling. Encouraged others to refuse to give her help.
Consequence: Left without any hope or respectability and facing starvation – suicide.