An Inspector Calls Flashcards
Inspector - appearance and actions
- imposing figure who dominates the play and achieves his aims
He is a man of ‘massiveness, solidity and purposefulness’ - “his manner was so severe and he seemed so confident” - Mrs Birling
“he’s giving us rope - so that we’ll hang ourselves” - the Inspector sets the family members against each other instead of just making an arrest
- (after fight almost breaks out between the family) ‘taking charge, masterfully’: “Stop!” ‘They are suddenly quiet, staring at him.’
Inspector - defiance
“No, sir. I can’t agree with you there.” (when Birling says his firing of Eva has nothing to do with her suicide)
“If there’s nothing else, we’ll have to share our guilt”
Birling: “I’m a public man” (has been in positions of power)
Inspector: “Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges.”
Mr Birling - arrogance
“Just let me finish, Eric. You’ve a lot to learn yet.”
- arrogant, self-important
“There’s every excuse for what both your mother and I did”
Mr Birling - appearance
‘heavy-looking, rather portentous man’
“I’m talking as a hard-headed, practical man of business” - not sentimental, lack of human emotions
Mr Birling - selfishness, capitalism
“a man has to make his own way” in life - every man for himself
“but the way some of these cranks talk… community and all that nonsense”
Mr Birling - reputation and social image
(after Mrs Birling’s secret is revealed) “when this comes out at the inquest, it isn’t going to do us much good. The Press might easily take it up.”
(after it is revealed that Eric stole money) “…give me a list of those accounts. I’ve got to cover this up as soon as I can.”
“Look, Inspector - I’d give thousands - yes, thousands”
“I was almost certain for a knighthood in the next Honours List”
“Well, if he wasn’t [a police inspector], it matters a devil of a lot. Makes all the difference.”
Mrs Birling - discriminating others
“I don’t suppose for a moment we can understand why the girl committed suicide…Girls of that class” - unsympathetic, looks down upon the working class
“As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!”
dramatic irony while describing the father of Eva’s child:
“drunken young idler” + “he shouldn’t escape” + “he should be made an example of” + “it’s due to him”
Mrs Birling - refusal to accept responsibility
“Unlike the other three, I did nothing I’m ashamed of or that won’t bear investigation” - pride and self-importance prevents her from seeing her mistake
”Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility” - hypocritical that she’s ordering others to take responsibility when she herself clearly isn’t
(about Eva’s death) “I’m very sorry. But I think she had only herself to blame” + “I accept no blame for it at all”
Sheila - responsible, willing to admit to her mistakes
“But these girls aren’t cheap labour - they’re people.”
“It was my own fault” (referring to Eva being fired from Milwards) - quick to apologise. Does not let pride get in the way.
“Why - you fool - he knows… You’ll see. You’ll see”
“Mother…You mustn’t try to build up a kind of wall between us and that girl.”
Her use of the word ‘impertinent’ to describe Eva but then later saying “impertinent is such a silly word.”
“And I’m not a child, don’t forget”
“don’t let’s start dodging and pretending now. Between us we drove that girl to commit suicide.”
Sheila - beginning description
lives in a ‘large suburban house’
‘very pleased with life and rather excited’
Sheila - infantilised and jealous
calls her parents “mummy” and “daddy” - infantilised and sheltered life
“I’m sorry, Daddy. Actually I was listening.”
“What was she like? Quite young?…Pretty?” - only cares about superficial things such as physical appearance
Gerald - quick to apologise
“I’m sorry, Sheila”
“Croft… at least had some affection for her and made her happy.”
“I did keep a girl last summer. I’ve admitted it. And I’m sorry, Sheila.”
Gerald - manipulative, likes to be looked up to
“Inspector, I think Miss Birling ought to be excused… She’s nothing more to tell you.” - controlling, speaking on behalf on Sheila
(about Eva Smith) “I became at once the most important person in her life - you understand?” - likes to be in control of others and have others depend on him
“You were the wonderful Fairy Prince. You must have adored it, Gerald” - Sheila
“All right - I did for a time.”
Inspector’s final dramatic monologue
“But just remember this. One Eva Smith has gone – but there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us, with their lives, their hopes and fears, their suffering, and chance of happiness, all intertwined with our lives, with what we think and say and do. We don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other. And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish. Good night.”
Reaction after finding out inspector is fake
Birling: ‘excitedly’: “By Jingo! A fake!… it makes all the difference.”
Mrs Birling: ‘triumphantly’: “Didn’t I tell you?”
Sheila: ‘bitterly’: “I suppose we’re all nice people now.”
Eric: ‘bursting out’: “What’s the use of talking about behaving sensibly?… This girl’s still dead, isn’t she? Nobody’s brought her to life, have they?”
