Inspector Calls Flashcards
Arthur Birling 4 Quotes
Themes: Capitalism, Class, Responsibility, Generational Divide
1.“A man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own.”
– Theme: Capitalism, Responsibility
– Reflects Birling’s individualist and capitalist beliefs. Priestley presents this as morally wrong, contrasting it with the Inspector’s message of community. Shows he believes personal success is more important than social responsibility.
2.“Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable.”
– Theme: Dramatic Irony
– Makes Birling appear arrogant and foolish. Priestley uses dramatic irony to undermine his authority and highlight how people like Birling are out of touch with reality.
3.“The way some of these cranks talk… you’d think everybody has to look after everybody else.”
– Theme: Socialism vs. Capitalism
– Dismisses the idea of social responsibility. His mocking tone shows his lack of empathy for others and sets him up as the ideological opposite of the Inspector.
4.“The famous younger generation who know it all.”
– Theme: Generational Divide
– Sarcastic tone reveals his refusal to learn or change. Priestley uses this to highlight the difference in attitudes between older and younger generations.
Mrs Birling 4 Quotes
Themes: Class, Responsibility, Hypocrisy, Gender
1.“Girls of that class—”
– Theme: Class Prejudice
– Her disgust for Eva based solely on social class shows deep-rooted snobbery. Priestley criticises the class system through Sybil’s lack of compassion.
2.“I did nothing I’m ashamed of.”
– Theme: Responsibility
– Complete denial of guilt shows her moral blindness. Sybil refuses to accept her role in Eva’s death, showing no personal growth.
3.“She only had herself to blame.”
– Theme: Hypocrisy, Blame
– Sybil places all blame on Eva, despite having contributed to her situation. Priestley shows how the upper class avoids accountability.
4.“Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility.”
– Theme: Dramatic Irony
– She condemns the unknown father without realising it’s her own son. Priestley uses this to expose her hypocrisy and lack of self-awareness.
Sheila Birling 4 Quotes
Themes: Responsibility, Change, Class, Gender
1.“But these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people.”
– Theme: Social Justice
– Early sign of Sheila’s empathy. She begins to question her family’s values, marking her moral awakening.
2.“I’ll never, never do it again to anybody.”
– Theme: Responsibility, Guilt
– Shows genuine remorse. Sheila accepts responsibility for her actions and demonstrates growth.
3.“It frightens me the way you talk.”
– Theme: Generational Divide
– Shocked by her parents’ refusal to change. Sheila separates herself from their outdated views, siding morally with the Inspector.
4.“He inspected us all right.”
– Theme: Morality, Truth
– Even if the Inspector wasn’t “real,” Sheila recognises the moral truth of what he revealed. Shows she values lessons over labels.
Eric Birling 4 Quotes
Themes: Guilt, Responsibility, Alcohol, Class
1.“You’re not the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble.”
– Theme: Family, Isolation
– Reveals emotional distance between Eric and Mr. Birling. Priestley shows how lack of parental support can lead to mistakes.
2.“We all helped to kill her.”
– Theme: Collective Responsibility
– Eric openly admits shared guilt. This honesty contrasts with his parents’ denial and supports Priestley’s message of collective responsibility.
3.“I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty.”
– Theme: Gender, Power
– Confesses to mistreating Eva. His remorse shows recognition of wrongdoing and adds complexity to his character.
4.“The money’s not the important thing.”
– Theme: Redemption
– Shows moral development. Eric realises that emotional and human consequences matter more than money or status.
Inspector Goole 4 Quotes
Themes: Responsibility, Morality, Socialism, Justice
1.“We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.”
– Theme: Social Responsibility
– Central message of the play. The Inspector acts as Priestley’s mouthpiece, promoting a vision of community and care.
2.“Each of you helped to kill her.”
– Theme: Guilt, Responsibility
– Holds everyone accountable. Highlights how a chain of selfish actions led to Eva’s death, reflecting Priestley’s belief in shared moral duty.
3.“Public men… have responsibilities as well as privileges.”
– Theme: Power, Duty
– Criticises people like Birling who misuse their status. Suggests that with power comes moral obligation.
4.“If men will not learn that lesson, they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.”
– Theme: Warning, Social Justice
– Powerful, biblical-sounding warning. Foreshadows war and suffering if society doesn’t change – a call to action from Priestley.
Eva Smith / Daisy Renton (Off-stage character) 4 Quotes
Themes: Class, Gender, Injustice, Powerlessness
1.“She had a lot to say – far too much – so she had to go.” (Mr. Birling)
– Theme: Class, Power
– Fired for speaking up. Priestley highlights how the working class have no voice or security under capitalism.
2.“She was very pretty – soft brown hair and big dark eyes.” (Gerald)
– Theme: Gender, Objectification
– Eva is constantly defined by her looks. Reflects how women were often valued for appearance over character.
3.“She didn’t want to take any more money from him.” (about Eric)
– Theme: Morality, Dignity
– Despite being desperate, Eva has strong principles. Priestley shows her inner strength and humanity.
4.“She called herself Daisy Renton.” (Gerald)
– Theme: Identity
– Reinvention suggests desperation to escape her past. Highlights how class and gender forced her to hide who she really was.
Gerald Croft 4 Quotes
Themes: Responsibility, Class, Morality, Gender
1.“I’m sorry, she was just a girl.”
– Theme: Class, Morality
– Analysis: Gerald’s casual dismissal of Eva shows his view of her as insignificant. He reduces her to just “a girl,” reflecting his privileged perspective that devalues working-class women.
2.“I’m rather more upset by this business than I probably appear to be.”
– Theme: Guilt, Responsibility
– Analysis: Gerald downplays his guilt, but his attempt to appear unaffected reveals his discomfort. Despite his claim, he still tries to distance himself from the full responsibility of his actions.
3.“She was young and pretty and warm-hearted – and intensely grateful.”
– Theme: Objectification, Gender
– Analysis: Gerald’s description of Eva emphasizes her physical and emotional qualities, further objectifying her. He views her as a possession or an idealized figure rather than a full person, reflecting his classist and sexist tendencies.
4.“I don’t believe it. I won’t believe it.”
– Theme: Denial, Guilt
– Analysis: Gerald refuses to accept the Inspector’s moral lesson, indicating his reluctance to confront the consequences of his actions. His denial of the situation shows his inability to fully acknowledge his role in Eva’s downfall.
