Key Quotes- Act Two Flashcards
who said, “I’m afraid you’ll say something you’ll be sorry for afterwards”
Sheila b
“I’m afraid you’ll say something you’ll be sorry for afterwards” analysis
at this point Sheila understands the role of the inspector, she tries to warn her mother that the inspector knows more than you think, she knows the inspector is giving everyone the rope to hang themselves with, he is exploring their own involvement and working out their own guilt
who said, “We really must stop these silly pretences”
Sheila Birling
“We really must stop these silly pretences” analysis
Sheila quickly becomes the mature voice of reason, she tries to get her family to tell the truth which links to upper-classes attempting to uphold perfect personas instead of revealing themselves, Priestly like sheila tells them they need to cae less about social appearances and more about the consequences of their actions
who said, “ you and I aren’t the same people who sat down to dinner tonight”
Sheila Birling
“You and I aren’t the same people who sat down to dinner tonight”
Sheila shows a great deal of emotional maturity, she breaks the engagement because she realises she doesn’t know Gerald, she has said many harsh sarcastic comments but doesn’t hate him, she just can’t trust him
who said, “public men, Mr Birling have their responsibilities as well as their privileges”
this is a message to wider British society in 1945, during his time in WW1 Priestley saw soldiers being sent off to die for their country. Upper-class generals and leaders stayed in safe places. They didn’t fear for their own lives but sent. In this quote, Goole wants to make it clear that although upper-class men are free to enjoy the benefits of their lifestyle, they must also be responsible members of society who care about the lower-class people who make the upper-class lifestyles possible. their social inferiors (those of lower class) into battle.
who said, “It’s you- and not the inspector”
Mrs birling
“It’s you- and not the inspector” analysis
This exclamation from Mrs Birling to Sheila shows a crack in their apparently-perfect family façade (fake image).
The family members have begun to separate. They verbally attack one another, suggesting that their perfect family is not so perfect after all.
who said, “you seem to have made a great impression on this child”
Mrs birling
“You seem to have made a great impression on this child” analysis
Mrs Birling is talking to Inspector Goole.
She shows that she doesn’t respect Sheila as a young adult – she still thinks of her as a child, and talks about her as if she is not in the room.
She also belittles (plays down) the effect the Inspector has had. She suggests that this ‘impression’ will be short-lived, and that Sheila will not be permanently affected by him.
who said, ‘You know, of course, that my husband was Lord Mayor only two years ago and that he’s still a magistrate?’
mrs b
‘You know, of course, that my husband was Lord Mayor only two years ago and that he’s still a magistrate?’ analysis
This highlights the influence of the upper classes.
Most people would let the Birlings be treated differently and receive special treatment – both Mr and Mrs Birling find it unacceptable that Inspector Goole refuses to worship or fear them.
Priestley uses their attitudes to show the corruption (moral wrongness) in a society that lets the social classes be treated differently and, in some cases, not even be included in criminal investigations purely because of their social class.
who said, Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility’
mrs b
Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility’ analysis
As soon as Mrs Birling finds out that Eva was pregnant, she shifts all blame to the father of the child. -
As this man is described, dramatic irony (when the audience knows something the characters don’t) unfolds as the audience realise that this man is actually Eric, Mrs Birling’s son.
As Mrs Birling continues her speech, the audience waits for her to work out that she is actively criticising her own son.
As long as this man is anonymous (not named), she does not care what happens to him.
When she starts to realise it could be her son, she stutters and stops talking.
