Inspector Calls Quotes Flashcards
Mr. Birling
“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”
- Trying to wipe their hands clean off actions
- Foreshadows the awkwardness they experience near act 3
- Theme of personal responsibility
Ms. Birling, Act 2
“First the girl herself…. Secondly, I blame the young man who was the father of the child…. He should be made an example of”
- No fixed morality (They change perspectives on what’s good or bad)
- Dramatic Irony (father turned out to be Eric
Ms. Birling
“When you’re married, you’ll realise that men with important work to do sometimes have to spend all their time and energy on their business”
-Sums up women role in patriarchal society (1912, England)
- Raises her generation / children to follow same footsteps (Sheila)
- Signifies gender roles in society (different expectations between man and women)
Mr. Birling
“Clothes mean something quite different to a woman”
-Woman judged by looks and how they dress, men judged upon wealth (closest link to masculinity)
-More dressed and expensive a woman is, more respect she is given
Mr. Birling, Act 1
“A man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own”
-Sums up capitalism (importance - wealth and yourslef)
-Ironic as their ‘business’ gets exposed by inspector
Sheila, Act 2
“But these girls aren’t cheap labour - they’re people”
-How capitalism dehumanises people (battles socialism)
-Birling tells Sheila she’s overreacting when Gerald cheated (treats her as cheap labour - only thinks about business)
Eric
“I wasn’t in love with her or anything – but I liked her – she was pretty and a good sport”
-Example of patriarchy (Being rich as well gives privileges)
-Injustice, tender inequality, standards of women, objectification
Inspector
“We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other” (metaphor)
-Socialism beliefs (against the capitalists - Gerlad, Mr.Birling, Ms.Birling)
-Responsibility, critiques the capitalists, problems in society
Sheila, Act 3
“The point is, you don’t seem to have learnt anything”
-Priestley portrays power of socialism (transforms weak, shy, innocent person into someone with morality and a voice)
-Sheila becomes a portrayal of Eva smith (speaks on behalf of women and working class)
-Capitalism overpowers socialism (Sheila in act 3 alludes to taking Gerald back)
Inspector, Act 2
“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.”
-Met with hellfire or WW1 (commits moral crimes that leads to this)
Inspector Context
-Patriarchal society (e.g Inspector targets Sheila - easily manipulated)
-1912, England
