In J.B. Priestley's 'An Inspector Calls', the scene unfolds within the Birling family’s household, during a tense evening. The evening is set with an atmosphere thick with suspense, as the mysterious death of a young woman, Eva Smith, begins to surface through the inspector’s probing questions. The inspector, a symbol of moral authority, arrives unexpectedly, disrupting the family’s complacency. His presence introduces an element of mystery, as he reveals details of Eva’s life that unsettle the Birlings’ assumptions about social responsibility and innocence. The dialogue hints at hidden truths, with characters revealing conflicting motives and secrets. Priestley uses lighting, dialogue, and the inspector’s enigmatic character to heighten the sense of mystery. The phrase 'a shadow of suspicion' is repeated, emphasising the theme of concealed guilt. Overall, the scene’s tension hinges on the unfolding revelations about Eva Smith and the moral dilemmas faced by the characters, illustrating Priestley’s critique of social hypocrisy and the moral ambiguity surrounding responsibility.