J. B. Priestley (1945 - Soviet Union, 1946 - UK) An Inspector Calls: Key Quotations

Question 1

Define Capitalism

Answer 1

An economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.

Question 2

Define Socialism

Answer 2

A political and economic theory of social organisation which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.

Question 3

Define the ‘Welfare State’

Answer 3

The welfare state is a concept of government in which the state plays a key role in the protection and promotion of the social and economic well-being of its citizens. It is based on the principles of equality of opportunity, equitable distribution of wealth, and public responsibility for those unable to avail themselves through the implementation of free education, health care, and employment for all.

Question 4

When did the first successful National Coal strike occur?

Answer 4

1912 - this led to the implementation of the first minimum wage.

Question 5

When did WW1 take place?

Answer 5

1914-1918

Question 6

When did WW2 take place?

Answer 6

1939-1945

Question 7

When did the Titanic sink?

Answer 7

1912

Question 8

When did women ‘win the vote’?

Answer 8

1918

Question 9

Good solid furniture, not homely or comfortable, pink soft lighting until the Inspector arrives and it turns bright white.

Answer 9

Act One: Stage directions

Question 10

[with mock aggressiveness] ‘Go on, Gerald - just you object!’

Answer 10

Act One: Sheila

Question 11

‘It isn’t [a free country] if you can’t go and work somewhere else’

Answer 11

Act One: Eric

Question 12

‘We are members of one body. We are responsible for one another’

Answer 12

Act Three: The Inspector

Question 13

[very distressed now] ‘No - Eric - please - I didn’t know - I didn’t understand’

Answer 13

Act Three: Mrs Birling

Question 14

‘I consider it your duty’

Answer 14

Act Three: Mrs Birling to the Inspector

Question 15

‘Now look at the pair of them – the famous younger generation who know it all. And they can’t even take a joke-‘

Answer 15

Act Three: Mr Birling

Question 16

‘I feel now I can never go there again. Oh – why had this to happen?’

Answer 16

Act One: Sheila

Question 17

‘We’ll have to share our guilt’

Answer 17

Act Two: Inspector

Question 18

‘A man has to mind his own business and look after his own – ‘

Answer 18

Act One: Mr Birling - he is then interrupted by the Inspector

Question 19

‘The Germans don’t want war’

Answer 19

Act One: Mr Birling

Question 20

Who let in Inspector Goole?

Answer 20

Edna

Question 21

‘Public men, Mr. Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges’

Answer 21

Act Two: The Inspector

Question 22

‘I’ll tell you what I told her. Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility’

Answer 22

Act Two: Mrs Birling

Question 23

‘She was pretty and a good sport’

Answer 23

Act Three: Eric

Question 24

‘You’re not the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble’

Answer 24

Act Three: Eric

Question 25

‘I’ve been so happy tonight. Oh I wish you hadn’t told me’

Answer 25

Act One: Sheila

Question 26

‘If there weren’t (women living in poverty) the factories and warehouses wouldn’t know where to look for cheap labour. Ask your father.’

Answer 26

Act One: The Inspector

Question 27

What is ‘Marxist Feminism’?

Answer 27

A feminism specifically focused on investigating and explaining the ways in which women are oppressed through systems of capitalism and private property.