Responsibility

Question 1

Responsibility quote 1

Answer 1

still I can’t accept any responsibility”

defiant tone shows that even before his interrogation begins Birling acquits himself from any reasonability and safeguarding is reputation on stag

Question 2

Responsibility quote 2

Answer 2

Sheila
The phrase “So I’m really responsible”

reflects her growing realization of personal accountability, marking a shift from ignorance to self-awareness.

Question 3

Responsibility quote 3

Answer 3

Gerald: “Everything’s all right now, Sheila.”

Gerald dismisses any of the inspector’s message and Sheila morality change. His attempt to minimise the events that just occurred demonstrates his selfish nature as he is unable to understand the affect his affair and deception would have on his fiancé Sheila.

Question 4

Responsibility quote 4

Answer 4

“This makes a difference, y’know. In fact, it makes all the difference.”

When he finds out that the Inspector may not have been real, Birling immediately dismisses any responsibility. This quote highlights his lack of remorse and suggests he only cared about avoiding a scandal, not about the harm done to Eva Smith.

Question 5

Responsibility quote 5

Answer 5

“If men will not learn that lesson, then thy will be taught in fire and blood and anguish”

“fire and blood and anguish” have biblical allusions to hell where the inspector acts as a agent of God to demonstrate that dissolving responsibility and exploiting other will have their consequences. Furthermore the polysyndeton highlights the perpetual torment awaiting those who avoid the moral and civic responsibilities