An Inspector Calls Act 1 Quotes

Question 1

“I’m speaking as a hard-headed, practical man of business and I say there isn’t a chance of war” - Mr Birling

What can you say about this quote and what features/parts of this quote tell you this

Answer 1

• It shows the ignorance of the upper class because they don’t take into account other factors and just care about wealth - dramatic irony - form
• Shows how upper classes are egotistical and just care about themselves and money - “hard-headed” - adverb - language

Question 2

“After all y’know, we’re respectable citizens and not criminals” - Gerald

What can you say about this quote and what features/parts support the ideas

Answer 2

• He is segregating himself from the lower class - “we’re” - 3rd person collective pronoun - language
• Associating lower class as criminals - “criminal” - noun - language - contextual link available - lower class would’ve broken the law just to live or provide
• Could show he is guilty or hesitating on saying the truth because he knows they did something wrong - the comma - structure - contextual link available - reputation mattered in 1912 and if you were a criminal or seen to be a bad person then you would be outcasted