Inspector Calls-Mr Birling Quotes Flashcards
I’m talking as a hard-headed practical man of business
Where in the play+some analysis
You’ll hear some people say war is inevitable
Where in the play+some analysis
Giving us the port, Edna?…it’s exactly the same port your father gets
says to GC
Here, I’m not a purple-faced old man
Your engagement to Sheila means a tremendous lot to me. She’ll make you happy, and I’m sure you’ll make her happy. You’re just the kind of son-in-law I always wanted
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
Sheila’s a lucky girl- and I think you’re a pretty fortunate young man too, Gerald
Are you listening, Sheila? This concerns you too. And after all I don’t often make speeches at you
The Germans don’t want war. Nobody wants war.
Just let me finish, Eric. You’ve a lot to learn yet. And I’m talking as a hard-headed, practical businessman, and I say there isn’t a chance of war
There’ll be peace and prosperity and rapid progress everywhere- except of course in Russia, which will always be behindhand naturally
(talking about his possible knighthood) so long as we behave ourselves, don’t get into the police court or start a scandal- eh? (laughs complacently)
Clothes mean something quite different to a woman… not only something to make ‘em look prettier- but a sort of token of their self-respect
a man has to make his own way- has to look after himself- and his family too, of course… you’d think everybody has to look after everybody else, as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive- community and all that nonsense
(when the doorbell rings) Edna’ll answer it
(when IG tells about ES’s suicide) (rather impatiently) yes, yes. Horrid business
we’ve several hundred young women there… they keep changing
obviously it has nothing whatever to do with the wretched girl’s suicide
I cant accept any responsibility. 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?
(when telling about how they asked for a raise) I refused, of course
(describing ES) a lively good-looking girl… country-bred… a good worker too
(when IG asks why MB refused the raise) well, Inspector, I don’t see that it’s any concern of yours how I choose to run my business
(when EB starts sticking up for the workers) look- just you keep out of this. You hadn’t even started in the works when this happened
(about his workers’ strike) pitiful affair
if you don’t come down sharply on some of these people, they’d soon be asking for the earth
(when EB defends ES) unless you brighten your ideas, you’ll never be in a position to let anybody stay, or to tell anybody to go. It’s about time you learnt to face a few responsibilities. That’s something this public-school-and-varsity life you’ve had doesn’t seem to teach you
(when SB asks what’s going on) nothing to do with you, Sheila. Run along
look here, Inspector, I consider this uncalled-for and officious. I’ve half a mind to report you… it doesn’t seem to me very important… there isn’t the slightest reason why my daughter should be dragged into this unpleasant business
we were having a nice little family celebration tonight. And a nasty mess you’ve made of it now, haven’t you?
(when SB continues the ‘rope’ exchange) what’s the matter with that child?
(when the topic of ‘women of the town’ comes up) I see no point in mentioning the subject- especially- (indicating Sheila)
(when IG accuses MB of turning ES out in the first place) (rather taken aback) I only did what any employer might have done… I protest against the way in which my daughter, a young unmarried girl, is being dragged into this-
(after SB’s speech to GC after she gives him back the ring) now, Sheila, I’m not defending him. But you must understand that a lot of young men-
I’m a public man-
you weren’t asked to come here to talk to me about my responsibilities
(explaining what happened to MRSB) (savagely) he’s admitted he was responsible for the girl’s condition
(about EB stealing money) I’ve got to cover this up as soon as I can. You damned foo
look, Inspector- I’d give thousands- yes, thousands-
first to speak after IG leaves) (angrily to Eric) you’re the one I blame for this
there’ll be a public scandal
I care. I was almost certain for a knighthood in the next Honours List-
when I think of what I was feeling when the five of us sat down to dinner at that table-
he was prejudiced from the start. Probably a Socialist or some sort of crank
(when MB phones the Chief Constable) I was going to do this anyhow. I’ve had my suspicions all along
(to EB) if anyone’s up to their neck in this business, you are
no police inquiry. No one girl that all this happened to. No scandal-
look at the pair of them- the famous younger generation who know it all. And they can’t even take a joke
a girl has just died- on her way to the Infirmary- after swallowing some disinfectant. And a police inspector is on his way here- to ask some- questions
punctuationnnn!!
