An Inspector Calls Quotations Flashcards
“A man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own.”
Mr Birling
This quote highlights the theme of individualism and self-interest. Mr Birling believes that each person should take care of themselves and not worry about the well-being of others.
“But these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people.”
Sheila
This quote highlights the theme of social responsibility and the importance of treating all people with dignity and respect. The Inspector is emphasizing that the working-class girls should not be seen as mere commodities, but as human beings deserving of fair treatment.
“If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody we’d had anything to do with, it would be very awkward, wouldn’t it?”
Mr Birling
This quote highlights the theme of personal responsibility and the idea that individuals should take responsibility for their actions and their impact on others. Mr Birling is trying to avoid taking responsibility for his actions, by suggesting that it would be too difficult for everyone to be held accountable for everyone they have ever interacted with.
“First, the girl herself. … Secondly, I blame the young man who was the father of the child… He should be made an example of.”
Mrs Birling
This quote highlights the theme of personal responsibility and the idea that individuals should take responsibility for their actions and their impact on others. Mrs Birling is trying to deflect blame from herself and her family, by placing the responsibility on the girl and the father of the child.
“I wasn’t in love with her or anything – but I liked her – she was pretty and a good sport.”
Eric
This quote highlights the theme of the objectification of women. Eric is describing the girl he had an affair with in a way that reduces her to her physical appearance and her ability to be entertaining.
“We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.” (metaphor)
The Inspector
This quote highlights the theme of social responsibility and the idea that society is interconnected and that each person has a responsibility to care for the well-being of others. The Inspector is using the metaphor of a body to emphasize that when one member of society is suffering, it affects the entire community.
“The point is, you don’t seem to have learnt anything.”
Sheila
This quote highlights the theme of personal responsibility and the idea that individuals should take responsibility for their actions and their impact on others. Sheila is frustrated that the other characters have not taken the Inspector’s lesson to heart and are still trying to avoid taking responsibility for their actions.
“One Eva Smith has gone… but there are millions… of Eva Smiths… all intertwined with our lives… if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.”
The Inspector
This quote highlights the theme of social responsibility and the idea that society is interconnected and that each person has a responsibility to care for the well-being of others. The Inspector is emphasizing that if society does not learn the lesson of caring for one another, it will be punished severely.
“When you’re married, you’ll realise that men with important work to do sometimes have to spend all their time and energy on their business.”
Mrs Birling
This quote highlights the theme of gender roles and the idea that men have more important responsibilities than women. Mrs Birling is suggesting that once Sheila is married, she will understand that her husband’s business is more important than her own needs.
“Clothes mean something quite different to a woman.”
Mr Birling
This quote highlights the theme of gender roles and the idea that society has different expectations and perceptions of men and women. Mr Birling is suggesting that clothing is more significant to women than it is to men, possibly implying that women are judged more harshly based on their appearance.
“Girls of that class”
Mrs Birling
This quote shows why Mrs Birling refused to help Eva Smith and how the upper class view the lower class.
