An Inspector Calls - quotations Flashcards
Mr Birling expresses his capitalist views about society and how yourself should be the first priority.
“A man has to make his own way, has to look after himself - and his family too.”
Mr Birling shows he does not care at all about the lives of his workers and only about himself.
“It’s my duty to keep labour costs down.”
Mr Birling refuses to admit that he played a role in the death of the young girl.
“I cannot accept any responsibility.”
Mr Birling defends Gerald even after he finds out he cheated on her because he is part of the business plan.
“Sheila I am not defending him but … “
Mr Birling tries to back both his and his wife’s decisions and feels no remorse.
“There’s every excuse for what both your mother and I did.”
Gerald agrees with Mr Billing’s actions as he shares similar views with him which shows he is a capitalist.
“You couldn’t have done anything else”
Gerald’s power over Sheila is taken away once she gives him back the engagement ring.
“Gerald I think u better take this with you.” Sheila gave him the ring back
Gerald is trying to say that they are superior to the people of the working-class.
“We are respectable citizens and not criminals.”
Gerald tries to justify actions by proving that the story was a lie that was an attempt to make them feel guilty.
“It’s a hoax of some kind.”
Gerald had learnt no lessons and feels no remorse for his actions after he finds out the story was false.
“Everything’s all right now Sheila.”
Sheila sarcastically comments on how everybody felt innocent after finding out no girl had died.
”“(bitterly) I suppose we’re all nice people now.”
Sheila is the first one to confess the reality and accepts responsibility for Eva/Daisy’s death.
“Probably between us we killed her.”
Sheila has been changed by the story and has learned to change unlike the others.
“I’ll never, never do it again.”
Sheila sees what the Inspector is trying to say before anyone else which shows her intelligence.
“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 wants the rest of the family to realist what the inspectors intentions were even if the story was false.
“Whoever that inspector was, it was anything but a joke.”
Eva/Daisy is seen as a business asset by Mr Birling instead of a real human being.
“But these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people.”
Eva/Daisy is a symbol of the working class in the UK the same could have happened to anybody else.
“There are millions of Eva and John Smiths still left.”
Eva/Daisy says nothing during the entire play which shows that she is powerless and has no say.
“…”
Eva/Daisy was prejudged by Mrs Birling who generalised the entire working-class.
“Girls of that class.”
Eva/Daisy is considered desperate enough to accept money from anyone because she is poor.
“Girls of that sort would never refuse money.”
The Inspector says that if the family does not change their views then they will go to hell.
“If men will not learn that lesson, you will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.”
The Inspector is very authoritative and imposing as his presence filled the room.
“He creates at once an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness.”
The Inspector tries to make the family sympathise with the members of the working-class.
“It would do us all a bit of good if sometimes we tried to put ourselves in the place of these young women.”
The Inspector blames the Birling’s for the suicide and tries to instill that in their brains to make them change.
“Each of you helped to kill her. Remember that. Never forget it.”
The Inspector is a representation of JB Priestley who holds socialist views and believes everyone is equal.
“We are members of one body.”
