An Inspector Calls Act 2

Question 1

At the beginning of Act 2, what does Gerald say that suggests that he doesn’t want Sheila to know about his affair, and why?

Answer 1

‘I think miss Birling ought be excused’

- he may have wanted to not tell Sheila as he is ashamed of his acts

Question 2

What does Gerald say, in Act 2, that indicates that Eric is a heavy drinker

Answer 2

‘I’ve never seen much of him outside…but i have gathered that he does drink pretty hard’

Question 3

Give 2 quotes, where Gerald uses sarcasm in his replies to Sheila, and why may have this been done

Answer 3

1. ‘You’re going to be a great help I can see’
2. ‘Im glad I amuse you’

Sheila’s comments, before Geralds replies, are always sarcastic so Gerald may reply in a sarcastic manner to highlight the fact that Sheila is not more ‘powerful’ than him in terms of wealth and status`

Question 4

Give a quote that indicates that Gerald is sympathetic towards Eva after her death

Answer 4

‘I’ve suddenly realised - taken it in properly - that she’s dead’

Question 5

Give a quote that suggests that Gerald didn’t have bad intentions

Answer 5

1. ‘All she wanted was to talk - a little friendliness’

2. ‘I was sorry for her’

Question 6

Give a quote, from Act 2, that suggests that Gerald feels horrible for what he had done

Answer 6

‘I wish to God she had now (blamed me), Perhaps, I’d feel better about it’

Question 7

How does Mrs Birling greet the inspector in the start of Act 2? (give the stage direction)

Answer 7

(smiling, social)

Question 8

Finish off the quote ‘I don’t think we can…

and why is this important?

Answer 8

help you much’
Mrs Birling disregards the inspector’s information before even hearing him out properly which could reflect the way in which Mrs Birling treated Eva Smith

Question 9

What word does Mrs Birling use to describe the inspector, and what does this indicate?

Answer 9

she uses the word ‘impertinent’
- Sheila also uses the word ‘impertinent’ when she realises that she was involved in Evas downfall. This suggests Mrs Birling would also be involved in Evas death

Question 10

Give a quote that suggests that Mrs Birling only cares about power./status

Answer 10

‘My husband was Lord Mayor only two years ago’

Question 11

What word is used to describe Sheila and Eric, in Act 2, and why is this important?

Answer 11

‘excited/excitable’

• suggests that Sheila and Eric may be alike in terms of accepting responsibility for their actions

Question 12

What quote suggests that Mrs Birling is ignorant, and doesn’t know anything about what happens in her town? Why is the pronoun ‘we’ important in the quote?

Answer 12

‘We are learning something tonight’

-She uses the pronoun ‘we’ to perhaps convince herself that she is not the only ignorant on in the room

Question 13

Give 3 quotes that suggests that Mrs Birling is not willing to take any responsibility

Answer 13

1. ‘she only had herself to blame’
2. ‘I accept no blame for it at all’
3. ‘I was perfectly justified in advising my committee…’

Question 14

Give 2 quotes where Mrs Birling blames her own son, without realising it

Answer 14

1. ‘father of the child….it’s his responsibility’

2. ‘he ought to be dealt with very severely’

Question 15

Give a quote that suggests that Mrs Birling refuses the fact that Eric was the father

Answer 15

‘I won’t believe it’

Question 16

Give 2 quotes where Mrs Birling undermines Eva

Answer 16

1. ‘girls of that class’

2. ‘a girl in her position’

Question 17

Give a quote from Act 2, where Sheila takes the blame and apologises for her actions

Answer 17

‘I know I’m to blame…I’m desperately sorry’

Question 18

Give a quote from Sheila that shows the contrast in behaviour from when the Inspector first enters, to when he starts asking questions

Answer 18

‘We all started like that - so confident….until he began asking us questions’

Question 19

Give 3 quotes where Sheila tries to stop her parents from not accepting responsibility for their actions

Answer 19

1. ‘No mother, please!’
2. ‘For your own sake, you mustn’t…try to build a kind of wall between us and that girl’
3. ‘Mother, stop - stop!’

Question 20

What does Sheila keep repeating, in order to get her parents to understand the whole situation?

Answer 20

‘can’t/don’t you see!’

Question 21

What does Sheila say when she gives back the ring during Act 2, and what does this symbolise?

Answer 21

‘Gerald, I think you’d better take this with you’

• this could Indicate the fact that Sheila doesn’t want to be married to sin (Gerald’s actions) for eternity, and removing the ring symbolises the lifting of a burden for Sheila, alternatively it could indicate the fact that Sheila didn’t want sin to be married to sin

Question 22

Give two quotes where Birling holds similar views to Mrs Birling and analyse the second quote

Answer 22

1. ‘(astounded) Mrs Birling!’ - Birling’s response to finding out that Eva called herself Mrs Birling
2. ‘Damned impudence’ after Mrs Birling described Eva’s actions as ‘gross impertinence’

• in the second quote, they both use two words to describe Eva’s actions, which suggests that they are alike

Question 23

Give a quote that suggests that Birling is only concerned about the press/media finding out about the scandal and not about morals

Answer 23

‘when this comes out at the inquest, it isn’t going to do us much good’

Question 24

What is the inspector’s reply to Sheila saying that she doesn’t understand him, and why may he have said this?

Answer 24

‘There’s no reason why you should’

• This portrays him as a God-like figure, and God can never be fully understood

Question 25

What does the inspector say that highlights the theme of youth vs old?

Answer 25

we often do (create impressions) on the young ones. They’re more impressionable’

Question 26

What does the inspector say that indicates that public men also have responsibilities?

Answer 26

‘public men…have responsibilities as well as privileges’