Inspector Calls Quotes

Question 1

“Mother I think it was cruel and vile”

Answer 1

Act 3, Sheila to Mrs B for ignoring Eva

Question 2

“I behaved badly too[…] I’m ashamed of it”

Answer 2

Act 3, Sheila to her Father after he if trying to sweep it off

Question 3

“Mummy sent me in to ask”

Answer 3

Act 1, entering drawing room to check in the men

Question 4

“Young and impressionable”

Answer 4

Inspector

Question 5

“I’m not a child”

Answer 5

Sheila

Question 6

“They’d soon be asking for the earth!”

Answer 6

Birling, act 1, taking about not allowing higher pay for the women who work for him

Question 7

“And then she got herself in to trouble there I suppose?”

Answer 7

Act 1, Birling, ha,img Eva for getting herself homless and vulnerable

Question 8

“Public men, mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges”

Answer 8

Act 2, inspector, diadactic message about society,

Question 9

“But I accept no blame for it at all”

Answer 9

Mrs Birling act 2, not talking responsibility for chucking Eva out when she was pregnant

Question 10

“A girl of that sort

Answer 10

Act 2, Mrs Birling, shaming Eva

Question 11

“She was pretty”

Answer 11

Eric aboit Eva, materialistic act 3

Question 12

“Your not the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble”

Answer 12

Eric, act 3 to mr Birling when asked why he didn’t tell him about Eva instead fo stealing money

Question 13

Sheila uses imagery when she talks of her mother’s attempts to ‘build up a kind of wall’; implying the metaphorical distance Mrs Birling creates between the classes. When Sheila warns the others that the Inspector is ‘giving us rope so that we hang ourselves’, she once again uses a metaphor to create a visual image of the way the Inspector skilfully manipulates characters into confessing their sins.

Question 14

How does priestly express Mr Birling

Answer 14

Priestley uses Birling as a symbol of the callous and heartlessness of capitalism. Through his character he is criticizing the complacency of capitalist prosperity.

Question 15

How does priestly express Mrs Birling

Answer 15

Priestley uses Mrs Birling to epitomize all that is wrong with society. She represents the social snobbery and hypocrisy of the upper classes and shows no remorse in her cruel treatment of Eva Smith.

Question 16

How does Priestly present Sheila

Answer 16

Priestley uses the character of Sheila to represent his own views of social responsibility.
She offers hope for the future and Priestley uses Shelia as an example of people’s changing attitudes towards those less fortunate than themselves.

Question 17

How does priestly present Eric

Answer 17

Eric has the most active social conscience – He represents the younger generation and how the other hope of the future.At the end of the play Eric shows remorse and his acceptance is evidence of his moral fibre.

Question 18

How does priestly present Gerald

Answer 18

Priestley uses the character of Gerald Croft to throw light both on the Birling parents who are too set in their social ways to be changed by the Inspector’s visit, and on the Birling children who are certainly very responsive to the Inspector’s message, but possibly in a slightly naïve and hysterical way. Gerald acts as a bridge between the two generations.

Question 19

How does priestly present Inspector Goole

Answer 19

The omniscient Inspector is used by Priestley to further convey his views on collective / social responsibility. The Inspector is used very effectively to highlight the corruption and the selfish attitudes of the twentieth century society.

Question 20

How does priestly present Eva Smith/daisy renton

Answer 20

In many ways she is a counterpoint to the Inspector. Like him, she remains a symbolic figure and one who carries the weight of the plot. Priestley uses Eva as a symbol of the common man or woman and reminds us of our need to take responsibility for our actions and their impact on others.

Question 21

How does priestly present Edna

Answer 21

Edna is another example of the invisible working class and she helps to create an impression of the Birling’s wealthy lifestyle.
Edna illustrates the themes of inequality, power, responsibility and class.

Question 22

Sheila act 1

Answer 22

-she is confronted with the fact that she had a party in eva Smith’s death and take responsibility for what she has done we see a change in her character and she comes more out of her shell and confrontational with her parents.
“Why, you fool, he knows. Of course he knows.” Talking about the inspector and the part stable played in eva‘s death.
“No, not really. It was my own fault.” She’s taking responsibility for what she’s done.
“(She looks at it closely, recognises it with a little cry, gives a half stifled sobs and then runs out.) stage direction of when Sheila is confronted with a photo of Daisy Renton she is aggravated and she knows eva somehow she’s acting like a child and is trying to contain herself.
“But these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people.”

Question 23

Mr Birling scene 1

Answer 23

At the start of the play he comes across as being arrogant, making long speeches about his predictions for the future. He also makes assertions about how a man should look out for number one and not waste time helping others.
“And then she got herself into trouble there, I suppose?” Blaming Eva for everything that happened because of his oppressive views on women. Lack of responsibility

“Rubbish!…they’d soon be asking for the Earth” Talking about how if he gives poor people and his workers what they wanted a small amount no ask for more more more. Justifying why he didn’t listen to their needs and why he fired eva

“And I speak as a hardheaded Businessman” Explaining why he has the views he has, he sees himself as strong and thinks he is above it because he is a businessman, Image of capitalism

Question 24

Mrs Burling act two

Answer 24

Mrs. Birling refuses to play into the Inspector’s motive to awaken the Birlings to their responsibility for the girl’s death. She sees her role on the charity organization not as to help people but to wield influence in deciding who does and doesn’t deserve aid.

“I’m very sorry. But I think She only had herself to blame”-Selfish and she looks down on them for no reason and it’s uncaring. Judgemental veiws.

“I did nothing I’m ashamed of all that won’t bear investigation” -Very stubborn using power for negative influence, prejudiced.

“She was claiming elaborate fine feelings and scruples that was simply absurd in a girl in her position” - judging eva by class, lower class on allowed feelings.

Question 25

Eric act three

Answer 25

Eric confesses that he got the girl pregnant and that he stole money from his father’s firm to support her. Learning that the girl had appealed to his mother for help and been turned down, Eric blames his mother for the girl’s death.

-“No. And I couldn’t remember her name or where she lived” -Doesn’t care for her she is worthless and irrelevant
-“She was pretty And a good sport”-He only cares about her appearance preoccupied with looks or beauty, this dehumanises her.only good for sex. and only good in bed goes/ along with what he likes. ”sport” Suggest it’s only a game for Eric and is not serious,Also shows his view and opinion on women and how little he cares for them in a emotional way.
- Eric is blaming Mrs Burling for eva‘s death he seems very distressed, “You killed them both — damn you, damn you—“.

Question 26

Inspector Act three

Answer 26

Inspector Goole is presented as an omnipotent, powerful figure throughout the play; his presence immediately has the power to change the light and cheerful atmosphere of the Birlings’ dinner party.
“There are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us”-Generic name, represents the working class And the fate that becomes most of them.
“We Are responsible for each other” - Didactic message, clear message, socialist view.

“If men will not learn that lesson then they will be taught in fire and blood and anguish” -Foreshadowing WW1/WW2 connotations of hell.

Question 27

Gerald act two

Answer 27

Act II begins with Gerald and Sheila discussing the affair. Gerald is initially hesitant to come clean but eventually tells the truth. Although Sheila respects him for his honesty, she returns his engagement ring. Gerald had picked up Daisy in a bar and had looked after her, giving her money and accommodation.

“She was young and pretty and warmhearted”-Excusing it because she is pretty, Gerald in a privilege position.Again only sees women as materialistic objects.

“Nearly any man would have done” - Egotistical and making up excuses for his actions

“She lived very economically on what I’d allowed her” -Gerald is in control of the woman in his life,Controls them financially and emotionally, Stereotypical old-fashioned woman/man relationships. 

Question 28

Relation ship between characters (moment)

Answer 28

Beginning act 3
Eric Staal from Mr Burling for eva
“You’re not the kind of father a chat could go to when he’s in trouble”
Mr Burling responds angrily “(angrily)”
Mr B calls Gerald “spoiled”
Mr B calls Gerald a “hysterical young fool”
Eric says he “doesn’t care” about a public scandal
Mr b says he “apparently nothing matters to you”

Question 29

Gender roles (moment)

Answer 29

Act 1 start
Me B toasting engagement to Gerald from Sheila
Mr B calls Sheila a “lucky girl” (world girl patronising also lucky? No not really it wasn’t her choice)
After Gerald gives Sheila the ring Mrs B says the women will “leave you men”(exclusion if women in intellectual convo and separation of genders”
Mr B makes a speech and calls himself an”hard headed business man” and a “practical man of business” contrasts to when he calls Sheila a “girl” (also he priorities his masculinity)
After the women leave Eric says he “left them taking abiyt clothes again”
Mr B says clothes are “a token if self respect” OBJECTIFYING

Question 30

Class prejudice moment

Answer 30

ACT 2 MRS BIRLING
“Naturally that was one of the things that prejudiced me against her”
“Yes.”
“I am very sorry but I think she only has herself to blame”
“This girl” “the girl” “a girl of that class

Question 31

Generational difference moment

Answer 31

“Makes all the difference” - Mr B
“No it doesn’t” Shelia
“Don’t talk rubbish” mr B
“Don’t be childish Sheila” Mr B
“No. You two are the ones being childish”

Question 32

Social responsibility

Answer 32

ACT 3 INSPECTORS SPEECH
“Millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us”
“We don’t live alone. We are members of one body”
“We are responsible for each other”
“If men do not learn that lesson they will be taught in fire, blood and anguish”
(He walks straight out) 

Question 33

MR B SPEECH ACT 1

Answer 33

“What about war?” ——-> mr B “fiddlesticks!”
“Unsinkable , absolutely unsinkable”
“ Practical man of business”, “hardheaded man of business”
“A man must look after himself on his own” (doorbell rings) INTERRUPTION FROM INSPECTOR

Question 34

Gender roles pt 2

Answer 34

GERALD ACT 2
“ She was young and pretty and warmhearted”
Gerald proclaims he was “most important person in her life”
Sheila states that Gerald must have adored it and he says “Nearly any man would have”
“She lived very economically off of what I allowed her”