An Inspector Calls Quotes Flashcards

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1
Q

Mrs birling talking about who is to blame

A

First the girl herself…secondly I blame the young man who was the father of the child…he should be made an example of

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2
Q

Quote from Eric showing the patriarchy

A

I wasn’t in love with her or anything,but I liked her-she was pretty and a good sport

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3
Q

Quote from inspector showing responsibility and how we are all together

A

We are members of one body.We are responsible for each other

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4
Q

Quote from Mrs Birling showing her view on men being away for long times

A

When your married,you’ll realise that men with important work to do sometimes have to spend all their time and energy on their business

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5
Q

Quote from inspector (final speech)

A

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

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6
Q

Portrayl of Eric at the beggining of the text

A

Half shy half assertive

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7
Q

Quote from Eric questioning his father about his workers’ wages

A

Why shoulden’t they try for higher wages?

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8
Q

Eric’s quotes on responsibility to Mrs Birling

A

You killed her-and the child,you killed your own grandchild

You don’t understand anything,you never did.You never even tried

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9
Q

Quotes from Eric on Gender inequality

A

She wasn’t the usual sort
She didn’t know what to do
I hate these fat old tarts

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10
Q

Quotes from Eric on his guilt

A

I insisted it seems

In that state when a chap easily turns nasty

I threatened to make a row

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11
Q

Eric quotes on Morality - response to Eva’s death

A

(Involuntarily) My God!

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12
Q

Quote from inspector using gruesome imagery to show how Eva died

A

Died in misery and Agony-hating life

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13
Q

Significance of the name renton

A

Euphemism for prostitution as she was forced to change in order to survive in a hostile world

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14
Q

Quote from Gerald showing his thoughts on Eva when he first saw her

A

Young and fresh and charming and altogether out of place down there

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15
Q

Quotes from Mrs birling showing her prejudiced towards her story

A

A girl of that sort would (not) ever refuse money

Impertinence (in claiming to be Mrs Birling)

One of the things that prejudiced me against her

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16
Q

Quotes describing Gerald’s appearance

A

Rather too manly to be a dandy

Easy well bred young man about town

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17
Q

Quotes from Gerald about his desire and lust

A

She was pretty-soft brown hair and big dark eyes

A pretty girl in her early twenties

Women of the town

I hate those hard eyed dough faced women

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18
Q

Quotes from Gerald about his relationship with eva being with somebody from the lower class

A

It wasn’t disgusting

Knew it coulden’t last

19
Q

Quotes from Gerald surrounding responsibility

A

Sorry well i’ve just suddently realised-taken it in properly that she’s dead

Yes I think you were justified in getting eva sacked

You couldn’t have done anything

He at least had some affection for her and made her happy for a time

20
Q

Quotes showing Mr Birling’s insecurity in his social position

A

Provincial in his speech

You ought to like this port Geral,it’s exactly the same port your father gets

There’s a fair chance that I may find myself into the next honours list

21
Q

Quotes from Mr Birling showing capitalism vs Socialism

A

As if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive-community and all that nonsense

Probably a socialist or some sort of crank

It’s my duty to keep labour costs down

We may look foward to a time when crofts and birling…are working together for lower costs and higher prices

22
Q

Quotes from Mr Birling showing the younger generation vs the older generation

A

Why you hysterical young fool-get back or i’ll

Now look at the pair of them-the famous younger generation who know it all and they can’t even take a joke

23
Q

Quotes on responsibility from Mr Birling

A

I can’t accept any responsibility

I’ve got to cover this up as soon as I can

There’s every excuse for what both your mother and I did

(Jovially) but the whole things different now

(Inspector)Public men Mr Birling have responsibilities as well as priviledges

24
Q

Quotes from Mr birling showing Dramatic Irony

A

You’ll hear some people say that war is inevitable and to that I say-fiddlesticks

Unsinkable absolutely unsinkable

Time of steadily increasing prosperity

25
Q

Quotes from Mr Birling showing him being self absorbed

A

One of the happiest nights of my life…your engagement to Shelia means a tremendous lot to me

Perhaps I ought to warn you that the Chief is an old friend of mine

I don’t like your tone nor the way you’re handling this enquiry

There’ll be a public scandal and who here will suffer for that more than I will

A heavy looking rather portentous man

26
Q

Quotes from Mrs Birling showing responsibility

A

She had only herself to blame
I did nothing I’m ashamed of
I did my duty
He’d be entirely responsible…compelled to confess in public his responsibility
A peice of gross impertinence

27
Q

Quotes from Mrs Birling showing her pride

A

Don’t contradict me like that
A trifle impertinent
Prominent member of the Brumley Women’s Charity Organisation
The rude way he spoke…it was quite extraordinary
What business is it of yours?
(With dignity) we’ve done a great deal of useful work helping deserving cases

28
Q

Quotes from Mrs Birling showing her class

A

Her husband’s social superior
Arthur you’re not supposed to say such things
Disgusting affair
Girls of that class

29
Q

Quotes showing Mrs Birling’s empathy

A

A rather cold woman
You’ll have to get used to that,just as I had
Claiming elaborate fine feelings and scruples

30
Q

Quotes showing Sheila’s responsibility

A

Oh-how horrible
I was in a furious temper
It was my own fault
I felt rotten about it at the time
If I could help her now I would
I suppose we’re all nice people now

31
Q

Quote from Sheila showing older vs younger generation

A

It’s you two who are being childish,trying not to face the facts

32
Q

Quotes from Sheila showing her maturity

A

Pretty girl in her twenties and very pleased with life and rather excited
You and I aren’t the same people
You don’t seem to have learnt anything
No not yet.It’s too soon I must think

33
Q

Quotes from Sheila showing Capitalism vs Socialism

A

Pretty?
But these girls aren’t just cheap labour they’re people
Impertinent is such a silly word

34
Q

Quotes from the Inspector showing Morality/Responsibility

A

Speaks carefully,weightily
If you’re easy with me,i’m easy with you
Yes but you can’t,it’s too late she’s dead
Public men,Mr Birling,have responsibilities as well as privileges
Each of you helped to kill her,remember that,never forget it
We are members of one body

35
Q

Quotes showing the Inspector’s omniscience

A

He knows
I don’t need to know any more,neither do you

36
Q

Quotes showing the inspector’s physical appearance

A

Need not be a big man
Impression of massiveness solidity and purposefulness
A plain darkish suit

37
Q

What does Mrs birling announce after dinner

A

That its time to “leave you men”

38
Q

Quote showing Mrs Birlings belief on who’s responsible for the child

A

Firstly the girl herself,then the young man,he should be made an example of

39
Q

Quote from Mrs Birling to Sheila commenting on hysteria

A

Your behaving like a hysterical child

40
Q

Quote showing irony on Mr Birlings words

A

Laughs bitterly,I didn’t notice you telling him it’s every man for himself

41
Q

Quote showing Eric knowing of Gerald’s activities

A

Guffaws

42
Q

Quote showing Geralds view on women

A

She was pretty-soft brown haie and big dark eyes-[breaks off] my God!

43
Q

Quote showing responsibility from Eric and Mrs Birling

A

I’m ashamed in you,Well I don’t blame you but don’t forget i’m ashamed in you too