Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

An Inspector Calls🕵️✿ > Key quotes > Flashcards

Key quotes Flashcards

1
Q

“a rather cold woman …

A

… and her husband’s social superior” - Act 1

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

” a rather cold woman and her husband’s social superior”

Which other word do you think Priestley could have used in these opening stage directions to describe Sybil?
A. understanding
B. stubborn
C. uncertain
D. carefree

A

B. Sybil is stubborn — she refuses to accept blame for her actions, doesn’t listen properly to other people and won’t change her views about society.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

” a rather cold woman and her husband’s social superior”

Give an example from the play to show that Sybil is “cold” towards the Inspector.

A

Sybil tells the Inspector that “I don’t think we can help you much”, suggesting to him that he should leave before she’s even met him. She also speaks to the Inspector “haughtily” to emphasise her own importance and try to undermine his influence.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

” a rather cold woman and her husband’s social superior”

Why do you think Priestley mentions that Sybil is Arthur’s “social superior”?

A

Priestley mentions this so that the director and the actors playing Arthur and Sybil understand how important class is to both characters. Their relationship to each other and to other people in society relies heavily on class, so it’s significant that Sybil is Arthur’s “social superior”, even if this is not mentioned in the play.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

” a rather cold woman and her husband’s social superior”

What does this stage direction suggest about the way Priestley wants the audience to respond to Sybil? Explain your answer.

A

It suggests that Priestley wants the audience to be unsympathetic towards Sybil, because she is unsympathetic towards the needs of others. This initial description of Sybil does little to suggest that the audience will like or respect her.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

“not quite at ease, . . .

A

. . . half shy, half assertive” - Act One

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

“not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive”

Who do these stage directions refer to?

A

These stage directions refer to Eric

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

“not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive”

Why do you think this character is “not quite at ease” at the start of the play?

A

Eric is uneasy at the start of the play because he doesn’t fit in well with his family. He thinks his parents don’t understand him, and he is hiding his troubles from them.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

“not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive”

Give an example from elsewhere in the play to show that this character is:
a) shy
b) assertive

A

a) Eric appears shy in Act One when he
begins a story, then “checks himself” and
becomes “confused”, before refusing to
carry on.
b) Eric appears assertive in Act Three when
he contradicts his mother directly, telling
her “Sheila’s right” that it doesn’t matter
whether or not the Inspector was a fake.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

“not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive”

What does the repetition of “half” suggest about this character?

A

The repetition of “half” suggests that Eric is a complex character who is struggling with his identity. He isn’t completely “shy” or “assertive”, just as he isn’t entirely ‘good’ or ‘bad’.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

“not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive”

Do you think this description still applies to the character at the end of the play?
Explain your answer.

A

It mostly still applies, because Eric is still a troubled character who feels uneasy about his place in the family and his treatment of Eva / Daisy. However, Eric has become more assertive by the end of the play, as he openly expresses his views to his parents.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

“I speak as a hard-headed . . .

A

. . . business man” - Act One

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

“I speak as a hard-headed business man”

Who says this quote and when?

A

Arthur says this quote in Act One, when he is giving his speech about the future of society

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

“I speak as a hard-headed business man”

What do you think this character means when he describes himself as “hard-headed”?

A

Arthur means that he sees himself as practical and rational. The term can also mean ‘unsympathetic’, so Arthur may be suggesting that this is also part of his character.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

“I speak as a hard-headed business man”

Shortly after saying this quote, the character describes himself as a “hard-headed, practical man of business” and then as one of the “hard-headed practical business men” of the world. What is the effect of this repetition?

A

The repetition makes Arthur appear comical. He’s trying to emphasise that he is a practical, straight-talking businessman, but he ends up saying very little and sounding foolish.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

“I speak as a hard-headed business man”

Do you think Priestley suggests in the play as a whole that it is a good thing or a bad thing to be a “a hard-headed business man”? Explain your answer.

A
  • Priestley suggests that it is a bad thing
    because Arthur’s selfish business-focused
    approach led to him sacking Eva / Daisy,
    which is presented as being one of the
    contributing factors to her suicide.
  • The Inspector’s strong message about social
    responsibility suggests that Priestley thinks
    people like Arthur need to change their
    “hard-headed” approach and acknowledge
    their “responsibilities” in looking after the
    people they employ.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

“And I say . . .

A

. . . there isn’t a chance of war.” - Act One

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

“And I say there isn’t a chance of war.”

Who is Arthur replying to in this quote?

A

He is replying to Eric, who asked about a war.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

“And I say there isn’t a chance of war.”

What reasons doe Arthur give for thinking that war is very unlikely?

A

He explains that war is unlikely because “The Germans don’t want war” and “There’s too much at stake these days”. He goes on to explain that “The world’s developing so fast” that there’s no possibility of a war.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

“And I say there isn’t a chance of war.”

Why is this quote ironic?

A

The quote is ironic because the First World War broke out in 1914, just two years after the play is set. The audience knows this, so this quote creates dramatic irony.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

“And I say there isn’t a chance of war.”

Explain why the other characters’ reaction to this line would be different to the audience’s reaction.

A

The other characters might be worried about war, but don’t know for sure that it will happen — they could believe Arthur. On the other hand, the audience know that war will break out, so this line makes them see Arthur as overconfident and foolish.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

“And I say there isn’t a chance of war.”

Which war was still taking place when Priestley was writing An Inspector Calls?
Why do you think this is important?

A

The Second World War was still taking place when Priestley wrote An Inspector Calls. This is important because priestly is suggesting in the play that it’s time for people to build a new society in which people take better care of each other. He was pushing for social change at the time when so many people’s lives had been ruined by the two world wars.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

“You seem to be a nice . . .

A

. . . well-behaved family” - Act One

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

“You seem to be a nice well-behaved family”

Who says this quote, and who is the speaker talking to at the time?

A

Gerald says this when he is speaking to Arthur about his knighthood.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
"You seem to be a nice well-behaved family" How does this quote turn out to be ironic?
This quote turns out to be ironic because, after the Inspector arrives, it slowly emerges that the Birlings aren't such a "nice well-behaved family" after all. Each of them played a part in the death of Eva / Daisy due to their selfish actions.
26
"You seem to be a nice well-behaved family" Just before this quote, Arthur "Laughs complacently". Why do you think Priestley included this stage direction?
Priestley wants to emphasise how content and overconfident Arthur is at this point in the play, because this makes it ironic and dramatic when things start to go wrong.
27
"You seem to be a nice well-behaved family" What does this suggest about the relationship between appearance and reality in the play?
This query highlights the fact that there is often a big difference between appearance and reality in the play. Although the Birlings appear to be a "nice” family, in reality they often act selfishly and immorally. This theme is explored elsewhere in the play, for example Gerald appears to be a great match for Sheila, but it turns out that he has been having an affair. Similarly, the Inspector 'appears' to be a real inspector, but in reality it turns out he isn't.
28
"these girls aren't . . .
. . . cheap labour — they're people" - Act 1
29
"these girls aren't cheap labour — they're people" Who are the "girls" that Sheila is referring to in this quote?
Sheila is referring to working-class women like Eva / Daisy, who work for very little money.
30
"these girls aren't cheap labour — they're people" Which character described the girls as "cheap labour" in the first place? Why does he/she do this?
The Inspector first describes the girls as "cheap labour" — he wants to demonstrate the attitude of factory owners like Arthur towards working-class women.
31
"these girls aren't cheap labour — they're people" Does the Inspector agree with what Sheila says in this quote?
The Inspector agrees with Sheila — he suggests "dryly" that he's "had that notion" himself, suggesting that Sheila has just expressed something that he is trying to teach the Birlings.
32
"these girls aren't cheap labour — they're people" What does this quote tell you about how Sheila is feeling at this point in the play?
Sheila is feeling upset that Eva / Daisy was sacked and frustrated at her father's stubborn attitude to a woman like her. The emphasis on the word “people” highlights this frustration.
33
"these girls aren't cheap labour — they're people" Explain how this quote helps to show the differences between Sheila and Arthur.
This quote shows that Sheila is able to empathise with Eva / Daisy and other working class people, while her father is not. Arthur made this made the decision to sack Eva / Daisy because it made economic sense to do so — he doesn't believe that he can be responsible for what happened to her afterwards. Sheila recognises that Eva / Daisy was a real person who suffered because of her father's actions.
34
"he's giving us rope — . . .
. . . so that we'll hang ourselves" - Act Three
35
"he's giving us rope — so that we'll hang ourselves" Who is the 'he' that Sheila is referring to in this quote?
the Inspector.
36
"he's giving us rope — so that we'll hang ourselves" What does Sheila mean when she says this?
Sheila means that the Inspector is encouraging the Birlings to talk. This leads them to confess their own guilt and therefore condemn themselves.
37
"he's giving us rope — so that we'll hang ourselves" What does this quote suggest about how Sheila is feeling at this point in the play?
This quote suggests Sheila is anxious about the Inspector's inquiries and the potential consequences of them on the family.
38
"he's giving us rope — so that we'll hang ourselves" Give an example from the play when characters are 'given rope' so that they 'hang themselves'.
The Inspector cleverly allows Sybil to blame the death of Eva / Daisy on the father of her child. He gently leads her into demanding that the father “be dealt with very severely” and made to “confess in public”. Only after this does the Inspector reveal that she has condemned her own son, who is the father of the child.
39
"he's giving us rope — so that we'll hang ourselves" Why do you think Priestley uses imagery of hanging in this quote?
Priestley uses this imagery because it is a shocking reminder of the Birlings' guilt in contributing to Eva / Daisy's death. In 1912, murderers were often hanged — by comparing her family to murderers, Sheila suggests that their 'crimes' are very serious.
40
“ you were the wonderful...
… Fairy Prince." - Act Three
41
"You were the wonderful Fairy Prince." Who says this quote , and who are they saying it to?
Sheila says this quote to Gerald.
42
"You were the wonderful Fairy Prince." What secret has just been revealed at this point in the play?
It has just been revealed that Gerald kept Eva / Daisy as his mistress.
43
"You were the wonderful Fairy Prince." Which of these words best describes the tone of the quote? A. sincere B. bored C. sarcastic D. happy
C. Sheila says this with "sharp sarcasm" —she doesn't see Gerald's actions as those of a "Fairy Prince".
44
"You were the wonderful Fairy Prince." What language technique is being used here?
This is a metaphor, describing Gerald as a "Fairy Prince".
45
"You were the wonderful Fairy Prince." Why do you think Priestley chose the phrase "Fairy Prince"? Explain your answer.
- By comparing Gerald to a “Fairy Prince”, Priestley links him to the heroes of fairy tales who traditionally save the 'damsel in distress'. This is ironic though, because although he rescues Eva / Daisy from poverty temporarily, he eventually abandons her. - The comparison to a "Price" suggests that Sheila is mocking Gerald's sense of self- importance. She is hinting that Gerald liked being with Eva / Daisy because she made him feel more important than he actually is.
46
"Was it or was . . .
. . . it not your influence?" - Act Three
47
"Was it was it not your influence?" Who is the Inspector speaking to here, and what is he asking the person about?
The Inspector is speaking to Sybil. He is asking if she used her influence as a "prominent member" of the charitable committee to have Eva / Daisy's appeal rejected.
48
"Was it was it not your influence?" Which of these best summarise the Inspector's style of questioning here? A. direct B. gentle C. distracted D. confused
A. The Inspector uses a direct style of questioning to get Sybil to confess
49
"Was it was it not your influence?" Give an example from somewhere else in the play where the Inspector uses this style of questioning.
The Inspector asks Gerald directly how he felt about Eva / Daisy : "Were you in love with her?"
50
"Was it was it not your influence?" Why do you think the Inspector uses this style of questioning?
By using a direct style of questioning, the Inspector ensures that the characters are unable to avoid answering with the information he wants. He uses short sentences and simple sentences and simple language to break through to the truth.
51
"As if a girl of . . .
. . . that sort would ever refuse money!" - Act Two
52
"As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!" Describe who's speaking here and what's happening at this point in the play.
Sybil is speaking. She is explaining why she believes Eva / Daisy must have been lying about why she needed help from the charity.
53
"As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!" What is meant by "a girl of that sort"?
A working-class girl, such as Eva / Daisy
54
"As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!" What effect does the punctuation in this quote have?
The exclamation mark at the end of the sentence shows the strength of Sybil's conviction that a girl like Eva / Daisy wouldn't refuse money
55
"As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!" Explain how this quote shows the speaker's prejudice.
It is because of Eva / Daisy's social class Sybil refuses to believe that she would have turned down money. This suggests she believes all working class people lack morals, which shows her prejudice. Her dismissive tone also emphasises Sybil's snobbish attitude.
56
"As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!" How does Priestley show that prejudice is wrong in the play? Give examples from the play in your answer.
Priestley shows that prejudice is wrong by making the audience feel sympathy for Eva / Daisy. For example, the Inspector criticises Sybil for turning Eva / Daisy away when she was “friendless, almost penniless, desperate”. By emphasising Eva / Daisy suffering, Priestley creates sympathy. This leaves the audience to feel negatively towards Sybil's prejudiced behaviour, because they sympathise with Eva / Daisy instead.
57
"you killed them . . .
. . . both - damn you, damn you -" - Act Three
58
" you killed them both - damn you, damn you-" Who is this quote said by?
Eric says this quote towards the start of Act Three
59
" you killed them both - damn you, damn you-" The speaker is blaming someone for the deaths of Eva / Daisy and her unborn child. Who are they blaming?
Eric is blaming Sybil for the deaths of Eva / Daisy and her unborn child.
60
" you killed them both - damn you, damn you-" Why does the speaker believe this person killed Eva / Daisy and her child?
Sybil refuses to help Eva / Daisy when she comes to her charitable organisation. Eric believes that this final rejection is what caused Eva / Daisy to take her life.
61
" you killed them both - damn you, damn you-" How was the speaker connected to Eva / Daisy and her child?
Eric met with Eva / Daisy several times when she was working as a prostitute. He is the father of her unborn child.
62
" you killed them both - damn you, damn you-" Explain what this quote tells you about the speaker's feelings. Mention the language used in the quote in your answer.
Eric's use of the curse "damn you" reveals his anger towards Sybil. The repetition of this curse emphasises his fury and suggests he is so emotional that he is struggling to find the words to express himself. He also uses blunt language when he directly accuses Sybil of having "killed them both". This suggests he isn't trying to spare her feelings — he wants Sybil to be upset, which further reinforces how angry he is.
63
"We are members . . .
. . . of one body." - Act Three
64
"We are members of one body." Explain the meaning of this quote.
He means that everyone is linked because they are all part of the same society.
65
"We are members of one body." The quote is a short sentence. What effect does this have/
The short, simple sentences increases the impact of the statement because it is so abrupt. This makes its meaning stand out and seem important.
66
"We are members of one body." Who do you think this quote is aimed at —the Birlings, the audience or both?
Although the Inspector is addressing the Birlings, the quote is also aimed at the audience. The Inspector uses the first-person plural "We", which encourages the audience to think of themselves as part of the "one body" and makes the Inspector's message feel more universal.
67
"We are members of one body." How does this quote reflect Priestley's political beliefs?
By describing everyone as being “members of one body”, Priestley suggests that in spite of differences such as social class, everybody is the same. This reflects Priestley's political beliefs —he was a socialist who believed that social class shouldn't matter.
68
"they will be taught it . . .
. . . in fire and blood and anguish" - Act Three
69
"they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish" What is the "it" that the Inspector refers to in this quote?
The "it" that the Inspector refers to is the lesson that "We are responsible for each other."
70
"they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish" This quote is from the end of the Inspector's final speech. How do the other characters react to this speech?
The characters are shocked by the Inspector's final speech — they are left "staring, subdued and wondering". Some of the characters are openly upset by it — Sheila is "quietly crying", while Sybil has "collapsed into a chair", showing she has been shaken by the speech.
71
"they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish" Explain the effect of these techniques in this quote: a) repeating "and" b) hellish imagery
a) The repetition of "and" makes it seem as if the destruction the Inspector predicts will be extensive. b) The hellish imagery is shocking as it echoes the idea that people who fail to show kindness may go to hell. This makes the Inspector's message more memorable.
72
"they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish" Do you think a modern-day audience and a 1945 audience would react to this quote in the same way? Why/ Why not?
An audience in 1945 might have been more affected by this quote, as they would have experienced the “fire and blood and anguish” the Inspector refers to during the Second World War. A modern-day audience might not be as affected because not many people would have experienced war first-hand. However, they may still be affected by the events of the play and be prompted to think about social responsibility and inequality.
73
"You're just beginning to . . .
. . . pretend all over again." - Act Three
74
"You're just beginning to pretend all over again." Which characters are "beginning to pretend" again?
Arthur, Sybil and Gerald
74
"You're just beginning to pretend all over again." Who says this?
Sheila says this after the Inspector is revealed to be a hoax.
75
"You're just beginning to pretend all over again." What does the speaker think the characters are pretending about?
They are pretending they haven't done anything wrong.
76
"You're just beginning to pretend all over again." 'This quote shows that the speaker has changed a lot since the start of the play.' Do you agree or disagree? Explain why.
The quote shows that Sheila has changed a lot. At the beginning of the play she appears obedient towards her parents, saying “I'm sorry, Daddy” when he thinks she isn't listening to his speech. However, when she accuses her family of “beginning to pretend all over again”, she is challenging her parents' behaviour, which shows that she has become more assertive by the end of the play.
77
"You're just beginning to pretend all over again." What does this quote suggest about social responsibility in the higher classes?
This quote shows that the older generation and Gerald are willing to forget about their mistakes once they realise there won't be any legal or social repercussions. This suggests that many people from the higher classes don't care about social responsibility — they only help other people if they themselves benefit from it. For example, Sybil only does charity work for the sake of her own reputation.
78
"Everything's all . . .
. . . right now, Sheila." - Act Three
79
"Everything's all right now, Sheila." Why does the Character think "Everything's all right"?
Gerald believes that everything is fine because the Inspector isn't a real police officer and no girl has committed suicide, so there is less danger of a public scandal. He also believes that everything is fine with Sheila and that they can pretend none of the events have happened.
80
"Everything's all right now, Sheila." What happens soon after this quote that shows everything isn't "all right"?
There was a phone call revealing that a girl has committed suicide and an inspector is on his way to question them — so Gerald and the Birlings might be in trouble after all.
81
"Everything's all right now, Sheila." What does this quote suggests about gender roles in 1912?
The fact that Gerald suggests to Sheila that everything is “all right” shows shows that he doesn't see his affair with Eva / Daisy as an obstacle to his engagement to Sheila. This suggests that men were allowed to be unfaithful and women were supposed to accept this.
82
"Everything's all right now, Sheila." Explain how the speaker's perspective at the end of the play is different to Sheila's.
Sheila doesn't appear to agree that everything is “all right”, as she doesn't accept Gerald's proposal straight away, claiming she “must think”. This shows that although Gerald thinks his behaviour is acceptable, Sheila hasn't forgiven him yet. She also thinks that everything is not all right, as her family seem to have learned nothing from the Inspector.
83
"the famous younger . . .
. . . generation who know it all" - Act One
84
"the famous younger generation who know it all" Who says this?
Arthur (Mr Birling)
85
"the famous younger generation who know it all" True or False? This quote has a sarcastic tone.
True. Arthur is being sarcastic — he doesn't really think the younger generation knows it all. The word “famous” emphasises the sarcasm and adds a meanness to his tone.
86
"the famous younger generation who know it all" Do you think this quote is ironic? Explain your answer
This quote is ironic because Arthur is joking that the “younger generation” in the play aren't as clever as they perhaps think they are. However, the “younger generation” in the player actually more intelligent than the older characters — Sheila is the first to understand the Inspector's tactics, and both Sheila and Eric understand the inspector's lesson and about social responsibility, unlike the elder Birlings.
87
"the famous younger generation who know it all" Who do you think Priestley wants the audience to side with the end of the play —the younger generation or the older generation? Explain your answer.
Priestley wants the audience to side with the younger generation. He does this by making the audience feel sympathetic towards Eva / Daisy throughout the play, which encourages the audience to side with Sheila and Eric, who also feels sorry for her. Priestley also portrays the older generation negatively, such as Arthur's foolish predictions about the future.

An Inspector Calls🕵️✿ (36 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions