An Inspector Calls Flashcards
Mr Birling
‘I was an alderman for years – and Lord Mayor two years ago – and I’m still on the Bench – so I know the Brumley officers pretty well’ - Intimidation
‘man has to mind his own business and look after himself.’ - stuborn, capitalism
‘Well, it’s my duty to keep labour costs down” - capitalism, using women for lower costs
‘You’re the one I blame for this’ - doesn’t accept responsibility
Mrs Birling
“Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility.” - wont accept responsibility
‘Please don’t contradict me like that’ - thinks she is superior
‘Though naturally I don’t know anything about this girl’ - lying to cover her back
“girls of that class” - Superior towards lower class
Sheila
“I can’t help thinking about this girl- destroying herself so horribly- and I’ve been so happy tonight” - starts to feel guilty
‘Oh-its wonderful! Look- Mummy- isn’t it a beauty?’ - Childish
‘But these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people.’ - socialist, contradicts older generation views
‘I know I’m to blame – and I’m desperately sorry’ - first to accept responsibility
‘(Excited) Oh – Gerald – you’ve got it – is it the one [ring] YOU wanted me to have?’ - controlled by gerald, childish
Eric
“Why shouldnt they try for higher wages”, “we try for highest possibie prices”
“Yes. I wasn’t in love with her or anything – but I liked her – she was pretty and a good sport”
“You’re not the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble.” - Bad relationship with parents
Inspector Goole
“You all killed her”
“A chain of events”
“There are millions and millions and millions of eva smiths and john smiths left with us”
“Massiveness, solidity and purposefulness.”
“Fire and blood and anguish”
“you used the power you had to punish the girl”
Gerald
“I’ve suddenly realised-taken it properly-that she’s dead”
“Easy, well-bred young man-about- town.”
