An Inspector calls - Character Quotes

Question 1

‘You’re squiffy’ - Sheila to Eric (Act 1)

Answer 1

• Shows brother sister relationship

- Shows Eric drinks too much

Question 2

Mr Birling: ‘I speak as a hard headed business man’ (Act 1)

Answer 2

• Shows his pride in his hard earned success

- Hard hearted

Question 3

Mr Birling: ‘Unsinkable, completely unsinkable’ (Act 1)

Answer 3

• Dramatic irony. ( Titanic sank )

- Titanic is a metaphor for the family

Question 4

‘We really must stop these silly pretences’ Sheila to Mrs Birling (Act 2)

Answer 4

• Sheila can understand the Inspector’s message

- Shows a barrier growing between the mother and daughter

Question 5

‘Girls of that class’ Mrs Birling to Inspector (Act 2)

Answer 5

• Mrs Birling is big headed, she thinks her social standing is higher than others.
• Emphasis on ‘that’ shows her strong opinion on the lower class.

Question 6

Gerald: ‘She was very pretty - soft brown hair and big dark eyes’ (Act 2)

Answer 6

• He shows how much ne noticed the positive features of her to take attention off of what he’s done

Question 7

Eric: ‘You’re not the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble’ (Act 2)

Answer 7

• Shows the weak relationship between the father and son

- Eric hasn’t had anyone who he could rely on for something other than money

Question 8

The Inspector: ‘We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other’ (Act 3)

Answer 8

• The main message of The Inspector

- Opposing Mr Birling’s views

Question 9

“Everything’s alright now Sheila” Gerald to Sheila. (Act 3)

Answer 9

• Gerald hasn’t understood the message of The Inspector.

- Doesn’t see that Sheila has been changed by the visit of The Inspector.

Question 10

The Inspector: “Each of you helped to kill her” (Act 3)

Answer 10

• Try’s to make the family feel guilty.

- Shows that nobody in the family is without blame.