Key Quotes Act 1 Flashcards
who said, “Why-you fool- he knows!”
Sheila Birling when Gerald begs that she doesn’t tell the Inspector about the affair
“Why-you fool- he knows!” analysis
shows that Sheila has quickly realised that Goole is shrewd and smart, she knows that she can’t hide anything as he knows everything and how they’re all involved, she knows he is asking questions so that they will self-evoke their guilt and remorse, she shows a sense of maturity and intelligence here
who said “Is it the one you wanted me to have… now I really feel engaged”
Sheila Birling
“Is it the one you wanted me to have… now I really feel engaged” analysis
Sheila doesn’t feel properly engaged until she gets a ring, upper-class women got fancy rings when they got engaged to show that their father no longer owned them, now she has the ring (symbol of ownership) she seems to feel the ownership too
who said, “So I’m really responsible?”
Sheila Birling
“So I’m really responsible?” analysis
Sheila’s first reaction is to take responsibility for her actions, although she is still very worried about how the experience affects her she acknowledges that she played a key role in Eva’s death, this is the antithesis to Mr B’s complete denial
who said, “a man has to make his own way…”
Mr Birling
“a man has to make his own way…” analysis
Priestly uses Birling to highlight selfish capitalist views, this is right before the inspector arrives so we can see that these are Birling’s genuine feelings as he is telling them to people that he trusts, people are responsible for themselves and their downfall is solely due to their own actions
who said, “I can’t accept any responsibilty”
Mr Birling
“I can’t accept any responsibility” analysis
implies that Eva’s misfortune was her own fault, he says that his impact was so small it isn’t his fault, Birling shows upper-class pre-war attitudes of denial
who said, “Arthur, you’re not supposed to say such things”
Mrs Birling
“Arthur, you’re not supposed to say such things” analysis
Sybil has strong views about conversational topics at dinner due to her upbringing, she is a higher social class but has less power as she is female, he is the head of the household
who said, “when you’re married you’ll realise that men…”
Mrs Birling
“When you’re married you’ll realise that men…” analysis
Sybil highlights the gender difference in pre-war-Britain, and that women had a lot less power than men even if they are in higher social standing, Mrs b highlights this by trying to teach her daughter about the expectations for women
