An Inspector Calls Flashcards
Birlings first line
Birling’s first line: ‘Giving us the port, Edna? That’s right.’ Structurally the play opens with Birling’s
focus on consumerism, his wealth and attempts to impress Gerald Croft
Birling - dramatic irony
“unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable”
Birling responsibility
“a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own
Birling not accepting responsibility
‘I was quite justified’ in sacking Eva Smith
Sheila’s response to her father sacking Eva Smith.
But these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people
Birling’s feelings about Eva and the strike
She’d had a lot to say – far too much – so she had to go
Sheila to her mother’s defensive and non-compliant attitude towards the Inspector about Eva Smith.
You mustn’t try to build up a kind of wall between us and that girl
Mrs Birling when asked by Inspector Goole who is to blame.
First, the girl herself. … Secondly, I blame the young man who was the father of the child… He should be made an example of
Eric about Eva/Daisy
but I liked her – she was pretty and a good sport
nspector Goole’s parting words to the family
We are member of one body. We are responsible for each other
Sheila to her father about his lack of responsibility.
The point is, you don’t seem to have learnt anything
Birling about Inspector Goole
Probably a Socialist or some sort of crank
Sheila about how they all played a part in Eva Smith’s suicide.
Between us we drove that girl to commit suicide
Birling about Sheila and Eric’s reaction to their parents.
The famous younger generation who know it all
The Insp’s lesson to Mr B
It’s better to ask for the earth than to take it
