An Inspector Calls (AIC) Quotes Flashcards
Revision for lit exam
Mr Birling - Key Quotes
What does Mr B say that links to a bee hive?
Theme - Responsibility
“All mixed up together like bees in a hive”.
Mr B - Key Quotes
What does Mr B say about the titanic?
“Unsinkable. Absolutely unsinkable”
Mr B - Key Quotes
How does Priestley decribe Mr Birling?
“Hard - headed practical man of business”
Mr B - Key Quotes
What does Mr B say about his business?
“For lower costs and higher prices”
Mr B - Key Quotes
What does Mr B say about labour costs?
“It’s my duty to keep labour costs down”.
Mr B - Key Quotes
What does Mr B say about covering something up?
“I’ve got to cover this up as soon as i can”
Mr B - Key Quotes
How much money does Mr B say that he’d give to cover up his mistake/s? (he said this to the inspector)
“Look, Inspector - I’d give thousands - yes, thousands” -
Priestley
Priestley uses the character of Mr B to expose/reveal/explore:
To promote a socialist message
To criticize capitalism
To expose how the rich were exploiting the poor eg. Eva and the working class.
Mrs B - Key Quotes
What does Mrs B say about class?
She is presented as self centred and materialistic
“Girls of that class”
Mrs B - Key Quotes
What does Mrs B say about Eva Smith?
“I’m very sorry. But i think she had only herself to blame”.
Mrs B - Key Quotes
What did Mrs B SAY TO Eva when she asked Mrs B to help her?
“Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility”
Mrs B - Key Quotes
What did Mrs B say about Eva and money?
“As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money”
Mrs B - Key Quotes
What did Mrs B say to the Inspector about power?
“You have no power to make me change my mind”
Mrs B - Key Quotes
What did Mrs B say about pressure?
“if you think you can bring any pressure to bear upon my mistakes inspector, you’re quite mistaken”
Priestley
Priestley uses the character of Mrs B to expose/reveal/explore:
To reveal how the highest social class treated the working class.
To reveal that the older generation does not accept responsibility.
Inspector Goole - Key Quotes
What does the Inspector say his duty is?
“It is my duty to ask questions”
Inspector - Key Quotes
What does the Inspector say about members and body?
“We are members of one body”
Inspector - Key Quotes
What does the Inspector say about events?
“A chain of events”
Inspector - Key Quotes
What does The Inspector say about Eva Smiths and John Smiths?
“But remember this. One Eva Smith has gone - but there are millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still with us”.
Inspector - Key Quotes
What does the Inspector say to Mr B about responsibilities and priviledges?
“Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities and priviledges”.
Inspector - Key Quotes
What does the Inspector say about creating massiveness, solidity and purposefulness?
“He creates at once an impression of massiveness, solidity, and purposefulness”
Priestley
Priestley uses the character of the Inspector to expose/reveal/explore:
To promote socialism
To promote taking responsibility
To expose the flaws within capitalism
Sheila - Key Quotes
What does Sheila say about girls and labour?
Theme - Class
“But these girls aren’t cheap labour - they’re people”
Sheila - Key Quotes
What does Sheila say about the ring that Gerald gave to her?
“Oh - Gerald - you’ve got it - is it the one you wanted me to have?… Look mummy, isn’t it a beauty!”
Sheila - Key Quotes
What does Sheila say about sitting down to dinner?
“You and I aren’t the same people who sat down to dinner here”
Sheila - Key Quotes
What does Sheila say about the Inspector?
“Why - you fool - he knows. Of course, he knows. And I hate to think how much he knows that we don’t know yet. You’ll see. You’ll see.”
Sheila - Key Quotes
What does Sheila say to Gerald after the Inspector leaves?
“Gerald, I think you’d better take this with you. (She hands him the ring)”
Sheila - Key Quotes
What does Sheila say to her father about interfering?
“Don’t interfere, please, father”
Priestley
Priestley uses the character of Sheila to expose/reveal/explore:
To show that people can transform / grow / become more mature.
To reveal that the younger generation is more open to change.
To show that the female characters can also have voice / opinions.
To give her power.
Eric - Key Quotes
What does Eric say to his father about trouble?
“because you are not the kind of father a chap can go to when he is in trouble”
Eric - Key Quotes
What does Eric confess to the Inspector?
“I was in a state when a chap turns nasty”
Eric - Key Quotes
How do the stage directions describe Eric?
“half shy, half assertive”
Eric - Key Quotes
What question does Eric ask his dad? (hint: trying for higher wages)
“Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages?”
Eric - Key Quotes
What does Eric say about Eva and her being a ‘good sport’?
“I wasn’t in love with her or anything - but i liked her - she was pretty and a good sport”
Eric - Key Quotes
What does Eric say about pretending?
“You’re beginning to pretend now that nothing’s really happened at all”
Eric - Key Quotes
What does Eric say when he says that he agrees with his sister (Sheila)?
“And I agree with Sheila. It frightens me too.”
Priestley
Priestley uses the character of Eric to expose/reveal/explore:
To show that some characters can accept responsibility.
To reveal how the rich were exploiting the poor.
Gerald Croft - Key Quotes
What does Gerald say about being respectable citizens and not criminals?
“we’re respectable citizens and not criminals”
Gerald Croft - Key Quotes
What does Gerald say about Eva?
“She was pretty and warm hearted - and intensely grateful. I became at once the most important person in her life - you understand?”
Gerald Croft - Key Quotes
What does Gerald say about doing anything else?
“you could not have done anything else”
Gerald Croft - Key Quotes
What does Mr B say to Gerald and what does Gerald say back in agreement? (hint: It’s about their businesses)
Birling: “For lower costs and higher prices”
Gerald: “Hear! Hear!”
Gerald Croft - Key Quotes
What does Mr B say to Gerald about him becoming his son - in law?
Birling: “You are the kind of son - in law I always wanted.”
Gerald Croft - Key Quotes
What does Gerald say about not saying anything to the Inspector?
“Don’t say anything to the Inspector (…) we can keep it from him”
Priestley
Priestley uses the character of Gerald to expose/reveal/explore:
To show how men abuse their power.
To criticize their wealth and power which comes with it.
