Act 1 - Key Quotes

Question 1

“So I’m really responsible?”
- Sheila

Answer 1

Sheila immediately accepts responsibility for Eva’s suicide. This contrasts Mr Birlings reaction

Question 2

“Why - you fool - he knows!”
-Sheila

Answer 2

This shows that Sheila knows that they cannot hide anything from the Inspector.
She also shows intelligence and maturity

Question 3

“Is it the one you wanted me to have… now I really feel engaged”
-Sheila

Answer 3

Upper class women got fancy rings when they got engaged to show that someone other than their father owned them.
This also shows how materialistic upper class women were.

Question 4

“Mommy look”
- Sheila

Answer 4

This show that Sheila was young and immature at the start of the play.

Question 5

“A man has to make his own way”
- Mr Birling

Answer 5

This highlights the selfish capitalist views.
This also shows that he only wants people to be responsible for themselves.

Question 6

“I can’t accept any responsibility”
- Mr Birling

Answer 6

He implies that it was her fault she died.
This shows how upper class people didn’t care how their actions affected the lower class.

Question 7

“Arthur, you’re not supposed to say such things”
- Mrs Birling

Answer 7

This enforces that certain topics weren’t supposed to be discussed in front of women.
This also presents her as controlling, however even though she is of higher class she has no power over her husband.

Question 8

“You’ll realise that men…. spend nearly all their time and energy on their business”
-Mrs Birling

Answer 8

This highlights the gender separation, where women have no power over men and they had to live by the men’s rules.