characters on the birlings in an inspector calls Flashcards
arthur birling
“And I’m talking as a hard-headed, practical man of business. And I say there isn’t a chance of war. The world’s developing so fast that it’ll make war impossible.”
arthur birling
“…clothes mean something quite different to a woman. Not just something to wear - and not only something to make ‘em look prettier.’”
arthur birling
“…we may look forward to the time when Crofts and Birlings are no longer competing but are working together - for lower costs and higher prices.”
arthur birling
“Is there any reason why my wife should answer questions from you, Inspector?”
sybil birling
“She was claiming elaborate fine feelings and scruples that were simply absurd in a girl in her position.”
sybil birling
“No, of course not. He’s only a boy.” And later “(staggered) it isn’t true.”
sybil birling
“She was claiming elaborate fine feelings and scruples that were simply absurd in a girl in her position.”
sybil birling
“What an expression, Sheila! Really, the things you girls pick up these days!”
sybil birling
Secondly, I blame the young man who was the father of the child she was going to have. If, as she said, he didn’t belong to her class, and was some drunken young idler, then that’s all the more reason why he shouldn’t escape. He should be made an example of. If the girl’s death is due to anybody, then it’s due to him.
sheila birling
“I’m sorry Daddy actually I was listening.”
sheila birling
“I tell you - whoever that inspector was, it was anything but a joke.”
sheila birling
“Yes, of course it is. That’s what I meant when I talked about building up a wall that’s sure to be knocked flat. It makes it all harder to bear.”
sheila birling
I don’t dislike you as I did half an hour ago, Gerald. In fact, in some odd way, I rather respect you more than I’ve ever done before. I knew anyhow you were lying about those months last year when you hardly came near me. I knew there was something fishy about that time. And now at least you’ve been honest. And I believe what you told us about the way you helped her at first. Just out of pity. And it was my fault really that she was so desperate when you first met her. But this has made a difference. You and I aren’t the same people who sat down to dinner here. We’d have to start all over again, getting to know each other.
Eric birling
“I don’t know - really. Suddenly I felt I just had to laugh.”
Eric birling
“No, I mean about this girl - Eva Smith. Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages? We try for the highest possible prices. And I don’t see why she should have been sacked just because she’d a bit more spirit than the others.”