In Act One of 'An Inspector Calls', the Birling family is gathered at their home for a celebratory dinner. The scene introduces the characters of Mr. and Mrs. Birling, their daughter Sheila, her fiancé Gerald, and the mysterious Inspector Goole, who arrives unexpectedly. The Inspector's probing questions reveal the family’s social attitudes and hint at their involvement in a young woman's tragic demise. The play is set in 1912, a time of social change and rising class tensions, but was first performed in 1945, reflecting post-war concerns about social responsibility and morality. Priestley's use of language and dramatic tension highlights themes of guilt, responsibility, and social inequality. The play challenges the audience to consider their own roles within society, making the characters' dialogue and the Inspector’s interrogations key to understanding its moral message. Key quotes from this scene include phrases such as 'We don’t live alone', and 'Public men, Mr. Birling, have a responsibility as well as the privilege of their position.' These phrases encapsulate the play's moral complexity and social critique, prompting students to analyse their significance and the techniques used by Priestley to convey them.